Acrylic nails adhere strongly to your natural nails, and removing them often removes one or more layers of your natural nails. This results in weak, thin, dry and damaged nails that are prone to ripping and splitting. Although complete recovery cannot occur until your damaged nails grow out, it is possible to improve the health and appearance of your nails during the recovery period and prevent additional damage from taking place.
Step 1
Wear gloves when washing dishes or using chemicals. This will protect your nails while they are growing out to prevent additional thinning, splitting and chipping.
Step 2
Apply a moisturizing cuticle cream when waking in the morning, after showering and washing your hands, and again before bed at night. Cover your cuticles, nail beds and surrounding areas to keep your recovering nails moist and soft. A low-cost alternative to cuticle cream is to rub olive oil or vitamin E gel into your cuticles and nail beds.
Step 3
Take an over-the-counter daily biotin supplement. These supplements may help strengthen your nails, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Step 4
Condition and protect your nails with a strengthening polish. These polishes are typically clear and can be worn alone or under colored polish.
Step 5
Keep your nails trimmed to remove damaged portions and to reduce your risk of snagging your nails on clothing or bedding. This will prevent additional damage from occurring.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear colored polish only when necessary, such as on special occasions, as it is drying and removing the polish with commercial polish removers can damage and weaken your nails.
- Consult your doctor if you suffer from symptoms of a fungal nail infection after removing acrylic nails. Fungal infections may develop between acrylic nails and your natural nails and cause symptoms such as thickening and discoloration, according to Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson in his article on MayoClinic.com.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Cuticle cream
- Olive oil
- Biotin supplement
- Strengthening polish
- Nail clippers
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