The Secret to Detoxifying Your Nails – NewBeauty Magazine (blog)

Gel manicures are a godsend for women. In about 30 minutes,
give or take, you can have shiny nails that last for seven days or
longer. But, the removal process is annoying—you have to sit there and let your
nails soak in acetone, which can dry out your fingers and sting or burn if you
have hangnails or cuts. Some nail experts say getting gel manicures regularly
can actually damage your nails; others disagree.

While the jury is still out, it’s not a bad idea to give
your nails a break from gel manis every now and then. “When it comes to gel
manicures, the way your gels are removed, how long you leave them on for and
how often you give your nails a rest all determine whether or not gel can be
damaging to your nails,” says Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June nail salon in Beverly Hills. “Most salons remove gels in a harmful
way because they are rushing to remove the gel and either file or buff the nails
harshly. Or, a pusher is used to remove the polish, which can take off your
nail bed, too.”

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Because gel polish can dehydrate nails, Tuttle says its
important to let your nails breathe every few weeks. “Even if your manicure
still looks good after two weeks, the health of your nails can start to
suffer.” And, if you’re one that gets gels at every manicure for months on end, then it’s definitely a good idea to take a break from time to time. “Taking a
pause from gels every four to five months allows your nails to stay healthy.”

If you’re addicted to gel polish, the best way to slowly
ease out of using it for a period of time is to switch up your manicures every
few weeks from gel to one that uses regular polish. “But, be mindful of how
your gel polish is removed and nail maintenance and promise yourself that you’ll
take a two week break two times per year. If you can, try wearing no polish and
loading up on cuticle oil,” says Tuttle. “You can also try gel polish
alternatives like CND Vinylux and Sally Hansen Miracle Gel, which are great
options for longer-lasting polish.”

The only time Tuttle says you should stop using gel polish
immediately is if you pick the polish off your nails. “I tell those clients to
stop getting gel manis. It’s too harsh on your nail beds and picking the polish
off really weakens them. I know it’s fun to do, but it’s awful for your nails.”