Whether it’s getting your nails done or doing your own nails at home, nail care advice is important.
As a nail professional it is part of our job to give advice to our clients on how to look after your nails at home. It is a required part of the nail service. This aftercare nail care advice serves a purpose of getting the most out of your manicure. I have found more and more clients are not aware of how to look after their nails once they left the salon.
If you know how to look after your nails at home, not only will your nails last longer but they will be healthier too. These are my 12 simple steps to nail care maintenance and advice on how to look after your nails at home.
Treat your nails like jewels, not tools! Do not use your nails to prise open anything or put un-necessary pressure on the free edge. Doing that will cause breaks in the nail and can even cause damage to them. Take extra care with car door handles and ring pull cans.
Use cuticle oil daily. You should be applying a good quality cuticle oil twice a day and especially at night. This will ensure your nails stay nourished, strong and flexible. Whether you have natural, polished, shellac or acrylic nails, cuticle oil is a must.
Wear rubber gloves. Protect your nails when using cleaning products, gardening and washing up. Your natural nails are porous and will soak up water and detergents leaving them soft and weak.
Do not bite, peel or pick. If you chip a nail try to refrain from peeling or picking at it. Especially after any professional nail care treatment. Picking at nail enhancements will cause the product to become weak. Over time this will damage your natural nails. You can use a 240 grit nail file to smooth any rough edges you may have.
Allow for drying time. Regular nail polish can take up to 2 hours to dry through and 24 hours to completely set. Although they will be touch-dry in 20-30 minutes. You will still need to be careful with freshly painted nails. With gel polish the nails will be dry straight away!
Avoid intense heat. Up to 24 hours after application nail products. No hot water, sauna or sunbed. This may cause heat spikes on your nails if wearing gel products. It can also prolong the setting or curing process.
Wash your hands. After you apply sun cream, tinted lotions, insect repellent and coloured hair products. Some products contain ingredients that can cause nails to discolour, fade or weaken. Avoid products that contain lanolin or mineral oils.
Top up your colour. You may apply nail polish or a top coat over your manicured or enhanced nails. This is great hack for a change of colour or as a top up every few day to increase longevity.
Use non-acetone remover. If you are removing nail polish you need to be aware of any products containing acetone. It is dehydrating on the nail and can compromise longevity of your nail treatment.
Maintain between 10-14 days. Nail enhancements will last up to two weeks. After two week they will need a maintenance appointment. It is vital that you keep up with maintenance to avoid natural nail damage. If there are any signs of lifting then it is advisable to schedule and appointment sooner. Water or dirt can become trapped under a lifting enhancement leading to infection.
Nail enhancement and gel polish. It is advisable to make an appointment for this service in a salon. The incorrect removal could cause damage to your natural nails if you do them yourself. If you can’t get to a salon you can follow my how to remove gel polish guide.
Adverse reactions can occur. Itchy, redness, burning, swelling or soreness could be allergic reaction. If you experience any of these symptoms after having your nails done it could be an allergy. You will need to remove any products immediately.
“Nails are one thing you can get into shape without exercise. It’s easy, just look after your nails at home.”
No matter what type of nails you have, natural or enhanced this is the after care nail advice to follow. It’s a lot to remember but if you do you will beautiful nails that last.
If you need any other type of advice for you nails then please feel free to get in touch.