If you’re a woman addicted to the every-two-week ritual of getting the acrylic on the nails, you’re definitely not alone. Getting those tips can be similar to having a shopping addiction: it’s hard to put a stop to that kind of obsession. For me, it took a great deal of withdrawal but I finally decided to go natural with my nails. Besides the fact that I couldn’t type as fast on a computer or pick up fine objects without delay, I really wanted my nails to be healthy again. So here are some tips that I picked up from friends, nail beauticians, and research to help ladies like me follow in the path to cuter cuticles.
Remove the Acrylic
Taking off the acrylic is the first step to recovery. But you have to do it the right way. The metro card method is a no-no because it causes damage to the already damaged cuticle. Rather, cut down the acrylic and soak your nails in a small bowl filled with acetone. One writer from Howtodothings.com suggested that you drench 10 cotton balls with the acetone, place them on your nails and cover with strips of aluminum foil. The process is going to take some time so be prepared to sit for a while.
Treating the Nail
The tips are off and the nails are going to look a hot mess. The worst is over but the transformation to healthy nails is going to need dedication.
- The first thing to do is to buff and even out the nails. Be gentle because they’re going to be brittle and easily bent. I suggest getting a manicure at the local nail salon but it’s all good if you want to do them yourself.
- I asked my friend who’s a nail beautician, and she recommended soaking the nails in oil (and it doesn’t matter what kind of oil you use.) The oil acts like a moisturizer and helps get the nails strong and stimulate growth. This should be done every other day, and once the nails start growing back you can commit to your own schedule.
- Nail tek: This is a brand that I definitely swear by. This company has the best nail treatment products hands down. I suggest using the Maintenance Plus every day, but for the beginners the Intensive Therapy and Protection Plus because they get the nail back to the condition that they were before the acrylic.
Staying Consistent
I found some helpful hints from Mayo Clinic that are effective in keeping those nails the best that they can be:
1. Keep your nails short, square shaped and slightly rounded on top. Trim brittle nails after a bath or a 15-minute hand soak in bath oil. Then apply a moisturizer.
- Apply a nail hardener, but avoid products containing toluene sulfonamide or formaldehyde. These chemicals can cause redness or irritate the skin.
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Apply nail polish. A thin coat of nail polish may help keep moisture in the nail. Remove and reapply the nail polish after a week.
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Don’t use nail polish remover more than once a week. When you do need a remover, avoid those that use acetone, which dries nails.
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Take a biotin supplement. Taking 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily may increase the thickness of nails.
Remember, once you take off the acrylic it’s best that you don’t go back to using it. Fight the urge and stay natural! It’s definitely cheaper that way too.
