Gel or acrylic nails can cause so much damage to your nails. But don’t worry. It is possible to heal your nails and restore them to good health again. Today I am giving you the exact process of repairing your nails naturally one step at a time.

Manicure procedures such as nail extensions are a cool way to flaunt your fingertips.

I myself had been guilty of having gel and acrylic nails fitted before an important event.

It’s because it's difficult to wait long for your nails to grow.

However, it would be riskier to get nail enhancements regularly.

I’m talking about the possible damage they can do to your natural nails and even the surrounding skin.

In today’s blog, I’ll share with you some of the nail care habits I’ve learned to ensure healthy fingertips after painful gel and acrylic enhancements.

10 Ways To Repair Damaged Nails After Gel And Acrylics

Are you a fan of gel and acrylic nails? You’ve probably heard about how damaging they can be to your natural nails.

Among the most common problems associated with gel and acrylic application include chipping, brittleness, yellowing, thinning, and dehydrated natural nails.

If you can’t ditch nail extensions for good, here are some nail care hacks that you can follow.

1. Make DIY Nail Soaks

All three soaks are highly recommended for taking care of ruined nails caused by gel and acrylic nail enhancements.

A. Lemon & Olive Oil Nail Soak

Olive oil serves as an effective moisturizer for nails, skin, and hair being a complementary ingredient in retaining keratin.

It is high in Vitamin E content, which is essential for maintaining healthy nails.

On the other hand, lemon juice contains antioxidants in the form of Vitamin C that improves nail barrier. It is also high in citric acid that helps promote stronger and whiter nails.

Materials

3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of one whole lemon

Tools

Soaking bowl

Instructions

Heat the oil and lemon juice mixture until warm.
Remove from heat and pour into a soaking bowl.
Soak your fingertips into the solution for 5-10 minutes.
Make it a daily habit in between gel and acrylic nail application.

B. Beer-Infused Nail Soak

Beer contains traces of silicon, which is a mineral that has been scientifically-proven to improve bone matrix and facilitate mineralization.

As nails are made in part of silicon, supplementing them with this mineral from the beer will ensure healthy nail growth after damaging gel or acrylic application.

Apple cider vinegar also gives this soak recipe an added boost with its anti-fungus properties.

Since nail extensions are prone to catching dirt, you’ll never know what infection you might get if you don’t take precautions.

Materials

Tools

Bowl

Instructions

Make the solution by combining the beer, olive oil and ACV in a bowl.
Soak your fingertips in the solution for 10-15 minutes
Make it a habit around 1-2 times per week.

C. Dead Sea Salt Soak

Nails are also found to contain traces of calcium and magnesium, which the Dead Sea salt can sustain when necessary.

These minerals help fill the nutrient gap created by frequent manicures.

Materials

Tools

Bowl
Towel

Instructions

Dissolve the salt into a bowl of warm water.
Add a few drops of olive oil and preferred essential oil.
Soak your fingertips in the solution for 10-15 minutes and pat dry with a clean towel.
Do this up to 3 times a week for stronger nails.

2. Eat Biotin-Rich Foods

If your nails are thinning out and looking brittle, it’s possible that you have a biotin deficiency. This vitamin is necessary for the production of keratin, which is responsible for the growth of new nails.

You can help outgrow your damaged nails to replace them with healthier ones by eating biotin-rich foods.

Among the main sources of dietary biotin include legumes, whole grains, green leafy veggies, and root crops such as sweet potatoes.

3. Take Biotin Supplements

Alternatively, you can sustain your biotin needs with supplements.

I have found this biotin supplement to be effective not only for my nails but also for my hair and skin. It is even enhanced with niacin which is ideal for the prevention of pellagra. Some of the symptoms of pellagra include crumbly and dull nails.

{GET YOUR BIOTIN SUPPLEMENT HERE}

4. Make A Natural Nail Conditioner

If you want an all-natural alternative to cuticle cream, the recipe below is worth the try

Honey has antioxidants and vitamins that help protect the barriers of the nails from damage. Additionally, its humectant quality helps draw moisture into drying nails.

As for beeswax and almond oil, they both promote optimum moisturization through their high fatty acids content.

Together, they can battle the signs of weakening nail bed and cuticles after a series of gel and acrylic applications.

Natural Nail Conditioner

Materials

Tools

Storage jar

Instructions

Melt the honey and beeswax in a saucepan over medium flame.
Remove from the heat and add almond oil.
Pour the mixture into a small jar.
Use this as often as necessary like you would a hand cream.

5. Use Keratin Treatment Products

Don’t have time to make DIY nail repair treatments? Keratin products have got you covered.

This particular topical keratin treatment is your nail’s life-saver with its concentrated amounts of nourishing oils.

It uses jojoba, almond oil, and natural proteins as ingredients.

Most keratin products for hair can also be used topically on nails. Just remember to let your nails and their surrounding skin absorb the product fully before eating with hands.

{GET YOUR TOPICAL KERATIN TREATMENT HERE}

6. Make DIY Nail Whitener

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxides are effective whitening agents for home and cosmetic use.

They can help you with your yellowing nails, which is a sign of damage from frequent manicures and nail extension applications.

You can do this whitening routine at least once a week until you see positive results.

DIY Nail Whitener

Materials

2 ½ teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide (3%)

Tools

Old toothbrush
Bowl
Moisturizer

Instructions

Mix together the ingredients in a bowl until pasty.
Dip your fingernails into the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
After soaking, use a brush to scrub the surface of the natural nails.
Wash off with warm water and moisturize.

Here is another nail whitener recipe you could try:

7. Take A Manicure Break

As instinctive as it may sound, taking that much-needed mani break is something we often postpone until a later time.

Without you knowing, the damage has already been done to your nails to the point of cracking and yellowing.

Whenever possible, try to limit your visits to the nail salon and let your nails “breathe”.

Mayo Clinic advises that you should take a break from applying artificial nails every 2-3 months. It says that the gap created by these extensions can provide access to infections, which manifest in ruined and discolored nails.

By letting the natural nails adhesive-free for some time, you can encourage natural growth and healing to your nails.

8. Wear Gloves When Cleaning

This way, you can prevent your brittle nails from getting caught up on objects and surfaces that can further damage your nails.

If possible, you should wear gloves while doing rough tasks at home while your nails heal from gel and acrylic removal.

{GET YOUR GLOVES HERE}

9. Drink More Water

Brittle and thinning nails are often a result of dehydration.

If the drying of your nails was caused by using too much nail polish remover, you can replenish the lost moisture to your nail by drinking more water.

It is an essential dietary requirement that ensures healthy growth of skin cells, hair and of course, nails.

{READ THIS: 21 Invigorating Spa Water Recipes For Instant Energy}

10. Refrain From Using Acetone

Most commercial nail polish removers come with harsh chemicals that dry out your nails.

While there are only a few healthier and effective options in the market, you can just avoid acetone and remove the gel and acrylics naturally.

I have mentioned in a previous post some steps for removing gel nails which can work for you if you’re trying to avoid acetone.

{READ THIS: 10 Natural Nail Polish Remover Substitutes: Easy & Healthy}

How To Strengthen Your Nails

From Visually.

Summary

Here are the 10 Ways To Repair Damaged Nails After Gel And Acrylics again to remind you of what they are again:

Make DIY Nail Soaks.
Eat Biotin-Rich Foods.
Take Biotin Supplements.
Make A Natural Nail Conditioner.
Use Keratin Treatment Products.
Make DIY Nail Whitener.
Take A Manicure Break.
Wear Gloves When Cleaning.
Drink More Water.
Refrain From Using Acetone.

Conclusion

Getting your gel and acrylic nails may be fun, but you’ll have to deal with the possible damages to your nails after removing them.

If you want to keep them healthy until you’re ready for glammed-up nails again, you should consider taking the necessary steps to restore your nails’ natural glory.

I hope that through these practical hacks, you can easily repair damaged nails every time you had to wear them as glamorous accessories.

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10 Ways To Repair Damaged Nails After Gel And Acrylics