So, you're addicted to gel manicures...
Sure, they last a lot longer (read: two weeks longer) than a normal mani, but are they really worth the damage they put your nails through? Alicia Torello is going to lay it all out for you—like she does with her celeb clients Jennifer Lawrence, Kendall Jenner, Kate Hudson and Joan Smalls.
"Generally, I see [nails being] damaged the most by gel manicures," noted the expert. "It's the first step of application and the removal process that's a real problem. Many gel brands call for buffing the nail before application because it makes the nail rougher and ensures the gel adheres to the nail plate. That removes layers of your nail bed. The removal process then takes off more layers of your nail because, generally, they aren't soaked long enough due to the time-sensitive environment of a salon."
"While you're trying to repair [your nails] after gel mani damage, you just have to be patient," claimed the nail pro. "I think keeping your nails short while they're thin is always the best way to prevent low breaks on the nail bed."
The Natural Route: "One natural remedy you can try is a sea salt soak for your hands," said Alicia. "It's said to help strengthen brittle nails. I love tea tree, it can be helpful as an antiseptic to avoid fungus or germs on hangnails, etc. Also, coconut oil is an amazing product to help moisturize, which will prevent any more breakage."
The Not-So-Natural Route: "Moisturizing is your best friend at this point. Apply lotion (I use Erbaviva Hand Cream it's all natural and smells AMAZING) and oil as much as you can. Lots of people swear by OPI's "Start to Finish" nail hardener, so you can also try that," stated the beauty maven.
Prevention Is Key: "The best way to prevent damage to your nails is to avoid the buffing process," concluded Alicia. "The best alternative, if you still want to get gels done, is the OPI gel system. There is no buffing before application and the removal process is incredible. The gel lifts right off without having to buff afterwards either!"
Keep This in Mind: "It takes about four to six months for a nail to regrow completely. So if they're really damaged or painful, I would say wait until they are grown out and repaired if you really need the gel done."