How To Fix Nails Damaged by Acrylic or Gel Manis

When it comes to chic, elegant looking nails, a gel or acrylic manicure can help get a desired look. However, they can also leave your nails brittle, dry and damaged when removed (especially when you force them off at home. Common, we’ve all been there!) So if you’re taking a break from LED-cured manis and need some extra help getting your nails back to their former glory – Superdrug and Essie are here to help with a new secret weapon to strengthen and protect your nails!

First, Remove Gel Polish & Acrylic the Right Way

If it’s time to say goodbye to your outgrown falsies, then removing them the right way can go a long way in ensuring your nails stay in tip-top condition. It’s really important to resist the urge to simply pick them off as you can take away the top layer of your nail along with the polish. This can cause the nail to thin over time and affect the growth pattern. So, for fans of gels, follow our guide on how to remove gel nails at home. And those with acrylics, our guide on removing acyclic nails at home will help prevent damage.

Next, Gently Buff Your Nails

Once you have removed your gel or acyclic nails, you can move on to restoring them to their former glory by buffing your nails gently! Filing your nails will even out the nail plates and prevent them from further peeling.

Apply a Nail Strengthener

Adding much-needed life back to depleted nails, Essie Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener is the answer to overindulging on acrylics or gel polish. This treatment uses nail bonding technology and a Hard To Resist formula —a combo that makes nails feel healthier, stronger and smoother. There’s no need to trade off colour to keep your nails healthy either, as it comes in two tinted finishes. The pink tint delivers a healthy shine and natural glow, while purple tint while the purple tint helps brighten and neutralise yellowness or staining. Simply apply two coats to clean, bare nails and leave for three days.

Essie Essie Nail Care Hard To Resist Strengthener Pink Tint £11.99

Essie Essie Nail Care Hard To Resist Strengthener Purple Tint £9.99

How Else Can You Care for Nails?

Drink More Water

Upping your water intake is important for many things, nail health included. Drinking plenty of water every day can help strengthen the inside out, as dehydration can often cause problems like broken nails, brittleness and peeling.

Use Cuticle Oil or Cream

Another easy way to repair your nails? Apply cuticle oil. We love Essie Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil to nourish and hydrate cuticles and nail beds to promote healthy nail growth. Massage a small amount in for a full minute and absorb for 20 minutes.