If your nails have become weak after getting a manicure, you are definitely not the only one. Between filing, gel removal, soaking, acetone, and frequent salon appointments, nails can really start to feel thin, dry, and weak quickly.
But that does not mean you need to give up manicures altogether. It just means your nails need a little recovery time and, more importantly, a gentler routine in between visits.
Even a few simple habits can make a big impact. From slathering on some good cuticle oil to smarter polish choices, you can strengthen your nails and enjoy getting manicures again.
Why Your Nails Become Weak after Getting A Manicure
Your nails are basically dealing with two things if getting them done is part of your routine. First, the technician buffs the top layer to help the gel set stick better. Needless to say, sometimes they can over-file or over-buff.
Then later, removal usually involves soaking your nails in acetone to soften the gel, and that pulls the moisture right out of them. So on top of the buffing, they’re getting dehydrated too. Over time, this cycle of buffing (which weakens the nails) and dehydration can leave them brittle, damaged, and weak.
So, how to fix it?
You absolutely don’t need any kind of magic wand or pricey serums. If your nails are damaged, peeling, or thinning, here’s the exact protocol I used to repair my damaged nails after manicure.
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Take a Break for a While
The first step is to give your nails a real break. Go bare for about 2 to 3 months and let them recover. Avoid gels, acrylics, dip powder, or constant layering. This is the part that lets your nails reset properly, so even if it feels a little boring at first, it really matters.
Keep Your Nails Short
Trim your nails short for now. It helps remove the weakest part faster and lets your nails start recovering without extra drama. If you skip this step, your nails have to grow out through all that damaged keratin, and that just takes longer.
The way you file your nails matters as much as the file you pick. Always file in a single direction with a gentle stroke using a fine glass file. Keep the shape soft and rounded or squoval so your nails are less likely to catch on clothes or hair. P.S. It’s low-maintenance.
Nail Hardener vs Nail Strengthener
Nail hardeners and nail strengtheners both help, but they’re not exactly the same. A hardener gives your nails that firmer, more rigid feel, which can be quite helpful if they’re soft and bendy or if you’re just trying to grow them out.
Just know that extra-stiff nails can also snap more easily, so be gentle with them during your everyday chores.
A strengthener, however, is a little more nourishing than a hardener. It includes ingredients like keratin, vitamin E, and biotin to help support the health of your nails from the inside out, which is ideal for damaged, weak nails.
One little tip: if the skin around your nails is sensitive, dab a tiny bit of petroleum jelly (without the nail) before applying either one, so it may sting less on application.
If you are looking for a nail strengthener, Envy by OPI is a great pick. I like to start with two coats on bare nails, then apply one coat every other day for seven days. The next day, I take it all off and repeat the routine. I do this for a few weeks, or until my nails feel strong enough, after which I slowly phase it out.
Moisturize Regularly
Treat your nails the same way you treat your lips, keep them moisturized. When they’re left dry, they can start to flake, peel, and even crack.
A few drops of jojoba oil or sweet almond oil twice a day can really hydrate. Jojoba oil is great because it absorbs well into the skin due to its small molecular size. Also, it tends to feel light and doesn’t leave a greasy residue that many of us don’t like.
If jojoba isn’t your vibe, sweet almond oil is just as lovely for giving your nails the right amount of moisture.
Take a tiny amount and massage it into your nails and cuticles at night, right before you wind down. I’d recommend using it twice a day for better results.
Handy note: If you’re already using a nail strengthener, a good softening oil becomes even more important. Since nail strengtheners can sometimes make nails feel a little too rigid, so adding a cuticle oil in your routine helps keep them flexible enough.
Bring Your Personal Nail Kit
You probably already know this but do bring your own nail kit wherever you go. If you don’t have one right now, don’t panic. Some salons do offer them for purchase at the counter. Look for one that has clippers, a cuticle pusher, an E-file, and toe separators.
Having your own tools will not only keep you safe from any potential infection but also ensure you get more precise strokes along the nails, as salon kits are often worn out due to overuse.
