Struggling with dry, brittle nails post party season? Read this
- by Anjan Sachar
The real digital detox
The last quarter of the year is the busiest time for salons and skin clinics alike. Everyone starts to make their appointments for glow-boosting facials, manicures and pedicures, and of course, acrylic and gel nail services. While the dermatologist treatments won’t do you any harm, and the mani pedis will only help maintain your nail health, subjecting your digits to frequent acrylic and gel treatments can leave your nail beds feeling brittle. The overlays and the gel polish, which needs to be cured under UV light, requires rigorous buffing to be removed—and this can thin and weaken your actual nail. This is why January is the best time to give your nails some extra love, considering the fact that the parties and social events are mostly through by now.
“We tend to add a little more drama to our nails over party season,” says Mumbai- and London-based editorial and sessions manicurist Maddi Dogra, who has worked with luxury brands like Shiseido and Chanel, and backstage at fashion weeks around the globe. “Typically, extensions are wanted, glitter, art and embellishments are most requested; and as gorgeous as this makes our nails look, a file or ‘buff’ is required to [be used on] our natural nail for the gel or acrylic to adhere to, leaving our natural nail below slightly weakened.” Here, we got the nail expert to share her top tips on keeping your nails in the best shape possible, and asked her some of your most pressing questions too.
Go back to basics and take the help of a nail professional
“I would firstly suggest you cut your nails short, down to their natural length. As squirmy as this may seem to some of us, it really is a nice, fresh start to regaining optimum nail health. Short, chic nails will always be trendy, so use this to your advantage. I [also] strongly recommend getting your nail enhancements (extensions and gel overlays) removed professionally, as this causes a lot less damage than when you try to remove them by yourself.”
Start using the hand cream you’ve kept on your bedside
“The weather is cooler during party season, leading to [an increased amount of] dry skin on our hands and cuticles. I would recommend a hand mask or treatment to rehydrate your hands and nails. Hand moisturiser and cuticle oils are really beneficial, especially if you tend to keep your tips paint-less, as this gives a beautiful shine to your natural nails. Pro tip: Apply hand cream and/or cuticle oil about 10 mins before bed, leaving ample time for absorption into your skin and nails. Make this a part of your bedtime skincare routine.”
Regaining nail strength is about the right treatments and your diet
“If your nails are weak, I would invest in a strengthening treatment—OPI, Sally Hansen and Nails Inc are some of my go-to brands for nail strengtheners. Use these once every week or fortnight. And don’t forget to eat well. Nails are made from protein, so chose protein-rich foods to keep your nails strong.”
Still have burning nail care questions? We decided to quiz Dogra on the other nail polish, extensions and enhancement-related questions we know you have. Scroll ahead to know what she had to say.
Do gel overlays cause less damage as opposed to acrylic nails?
“Any kinds of overlays or enhancements on the natural nail can cause slight damage, however, this also depends on how your manicurist has applied your gel or acrylic enhancements. Know that your manicurist does not have to file your natural nail bed down excessively before applying the gel or acrylic; they should only be looking to eliminate shine and moisture from the nail surface. Gel is easier on the nails as opposed to acrylic, however acrylic is a little bit more durable if you tend to work with your hands quite a lot. Never peel your enhancements off—this causes maximum damage to your nail bed, leaving your nails very weak.”
Is it really important to use a base coat when applying regular nail polish at home?
“When painting your nails at home with regular nail varnish, use a base coat. This allows for protection from staining (which occasionally occurs from red and green pigments), and it also works as an adhesive for your coloured nail varnish. Finish with a top coat for ultimate long wear and a glossy finish.”
Do you need to give your nails a break if one frequently gets gel or acrylic overlays done?
“Overlays essentially provide a layer of strength to your natural nails—meaning, if you are prone to breakage or splitting, it adds an extra layer of protection. It also helps nail biters stop biting, which is great. However, I suggest it is a good idea to give your nails a break from overlays and enhancements every two to three months, for a week minimum. This is mainly for your nails to restore their natural hydration and reparative qualities. It also gives you a chance to assess the overall health of your nails, knowing if they need more time in their natural state, etc. It takes approximately eight weeks for a new nail to grow from cuticle to tip.”
What steps should one take as part of daily nail care to ensure they remain healthy?
- Invest in some hand and nail care products, as you would with your skincare. We use our hands so much and it’s said, “You can tell somebody’s age from their hands.” I recommend doing a hand mask or treatment every month or two to restore softness and hydration. Hand masks are readily available from popular beauty stores, so this is a nice option to do whilst relaxing at home. Some of my favourites include Clinique’s Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream, The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector and Chanel’s La Crème Main.
- A manicurist’s hack to keeping your cuticles looking neat is to give them a push back after a bath or shower once a week.
- Find the perfect nail file. One of my favourites to use on natural nails is Muji’s Nail File Hard, as it causes no damage to the natural nail and has two types of grits that are both kind to the nails.
- Invest in a good quality base and top coat; this will protect your natural nail and give a lasting finish to your polish application.
Also read:
Everything you should know before you try a set of acrylic nails
