SOS: How to Rehab Peeling, Brittle Nails After Gel
Did you peel off your gel polish? Don't panic. Here is your 4-week recovery plan to fix thin, paper-like nails.
Grace
1 min read
We’ve all been there. You get a little anxious, you find a loose edge on your gel manicure, and suddenly... rip. You’ve peeled off your polish, and along with it, the top layer of your natural nail.
Now your nails feel like paper, they bend when you touch them, and they are sensitive to hot water. Is it hopeless? No. But it requires a strict "rehab" protocol.
1. The 'Big Chop'
It hurts to hear, but you need to file them down. Damaged, thin tips will only snag and tear further, causing the split to travel down the nail bed. Use a glass nail file to gently shape them short and round. Think of it as a fresh start.
2. The 'Oil Soak' Method
When nails are damaged, they are thirsty. Once a week, try a warm oil soak:
- Heat up a small bowl of olive oil or jojoba oil (microwave for 10 seconds).
- Soak your bare nails for 10-15 minutes.
- Massage the excess into your hands. This mimics the flexibility of a healthy nail and prevents them from snapping.
3. Avoid Water Like the Plague
Healthy nails can handle water; damaged nails act like sponges. They absorb water, swell up, and then shrink when dry. This expanding and contracting causes peeling.
The Fix: Wear rubber gloves for everything—dishes, showering (if washing hair), and cleaning. If you must wash hands, dry them immediately.
4. Use a Bond Builder
Skip the "hardeners" that contain Formaldehyde—they make nails too hard and brittle. Instead, look for protein-based treatments or "bond builders" (like OPI Nail Envy or Olaplex for nails) that repair the keratin structure.