How to care for your gel nails at home

If you usually get manicures and you are a fan of beautiful and well-groomed nails, you have surely asked yourself the following question on some occasion: what if I try gel nails? Well, this is a decision that only you can make, but today I bring you some tips so that you can take care of them and maintain them in the best way if you decide to try this manicure technique.

What are gel nails?

Gel manicure is a very durable technique that, in addition to beautifying, strengthens natural nails. It is done using ready-to-use UV gels that must be dried in a lamp. The gel is applied directly to the natural nails and each layer is hardened in the manicure lamp. With gel nails you can achieve a very natural result with a hardness and resistance that will allow you to show off an impeccable manicure for at least 3 weeks .



The strength and hardness of this material make it ideal for nail extensions , so if you want to lengthen or reconstruct your nails, a gel manicure can be your best ally. With the help of molds or tips, you can give the desired extension and shape to gel nails .

To remove gel nails , it is important to keep in mind that the product must be removed with a file or a drill, but if you do not want to remove it completely because you are going to do the gel manicure again, you can fill the part of the nail that has grown with the product to unify it. It is important to remember that, if you do not have much practice, you should put yourself in the hands of professional manicurists to ensure a safe removal or filling of gel nails. In this way, you will avoid problems with the health of your natural nails caused by improper removal of the product.

How long do gel nails last?

A well-done gel nail lasts between 3 and 4 weeks . The durability of a gel manicure depends largely on the preparation of the nail and the quality of the products used.

Tips for caring for your gel nails

Now that you know this manicure technique and you know that it is very comfortable, long-lasting and guarantees perfect nails for weeks, I will explain how to care for gel nails to keep them in perfect condition and without losing their shine.

Wear gloves

When caring for gel nails and keeping their shine intact, it is essential to avoid chemicals such as detergents, bleach, chlorine and cleaners. When using household chemicals, I recommend using gloves to protect your gel nails and, at the same time, you will do a huge favor to the skin on your hands.

Avoid acetone

Just like the chemicals I mentioned above, acetone is a great enemy of your gel nails. Contact with it can cause lifting , meaning the gel separates slightly from the natural nail in some areas. Lifting can be dangerous and can compromise the health of your nails, because there is a risk of water or dirt accumulating between the gel and the natural nail. If this happens, the dreaded fungus can appear.

Take care of the shine

• If only the shine of your gel manicure has been affected , you can fix it in two ways: use an air-dry top coat or, if you have a drying lamp at home, you can choose to apply a permanent polish finishing coat and dry it for the indicated time.
  
• If you have also lost some of the color from your nail , use a buffing block or a fine-grained nail file to remove all of the color from the surface. Apply the color again to the nail (if you happen to have a similar one at home, even better!) and dry it in the air or under a lamp, depending on the type of product you used. Once dry, apply the gloss to protect the color and recover the perfect manicure you had before the “incident.”

I hope these tips on how to care for gel nails at home will help you show off a perfect manicure for weeks.