It’s another beautiful day in Bridgwater. You’ve got plans to visit the Town Centre, hit Orangetheory Fitness, and then get your nails done. After your appointment, what can you do to protect your fresh set of Bridgwater nails?
Although LCN nails are far more durable than other types of artificial nails, they are highly resistant to chipping, and they don’t last forever. They’re still susceptible to damage from the wear and tear of life. What can you do to make your manicure last as long as possible?
If you’re willing to put in the effort, a little bit of upkeep can increase the durability of your nails. Here’s how you can extend the life of your gel manicure in Winnipeg:
Use Cuticle Oil
We know it’s important to moisturize our faces, our bodies, and our hair. But what about our cuticles? As you might expect, your nail health requires regular upkeep, too. You can buy cuticle oil at your local drug store or nail salon.
To apply it, smooth the cuticle oil over the edges and sides of your nails. Aim to do this at least once a day (or twice if your hands are especially dry). When your hands are healthy, it helps gel manicures last longer.
File Regularly
We’ve all been there: you get a tiny dent on the tip of your nails, and it starts driving you nuts. All you can think about is scratching it off so your nails are smooth again.
But think about your gel polish! If you tear off the tip of your nails, it will ruin your manicure. Don’t do it! Instead, take a mini file with you wherever you go. That way, whenever your nails develop minor imperfections, you can easily file them away without damaging your nails.
Add Additional Top Coat
It’s time to touch up your gel polish, but your appointment is still a few days away. What can you do in the meantime?
Touch up your manicure with a quick topcoat. It’s like adding an extra layer of protection to your nails. This will refresh the finish of your nails and help protect them against damage–especially if they’re already chipped or peeling.
Push Back Your Cuticle
We’ve all accidentally painted our cuticles at one point or another. Since polish peels more easily off our skin, it causes your gel manicure to chip in no time. Pushing back your cuticles before your manicure will prevent this.
A word of warning here: pushing back your cuticles too far can lead to damage. After all, your cuticles are intended to protect your nails. Instead of doing this yourself (and potentially damaging your nails), get a manicurist to do it for you. Before your next manicure, ask your esthetician to push back your cuticles.
Avoid Too-Hot Water
At the end of a long day, is there anything better than a steamy shower or aromatic bath? Under the hot water faucet, you can soak your cares away. Unfortunately, you might also soak your manicure away.
You’ve seen what happens to your fingers when they soak in hot water; the skin becomes pruney and wrinkled. Now imagine what it does to your nails. Hot water makes your nails dry out. It also makes the polish expand and contract, which might dislodge it from your nails.
Wear Rubber Gloves
Washing dishes? Scrubbing the tub? Wiping windows? Whatever cleaning activity you’re doing, here’s our tip: wear rubber gloves.
Cleaning products are hard on your nails. They contain harsh chemicals that can affect the strength of your LCN gel manicure. And so is the hot water used to wash dishes or clothes. We recommend wearing gloves whenever you’re working with your hands.
Don’t Peel Them Off!
Once the corner of your gel nail starts to lift, we know it’s tempting to peel it off. Doing so is oddly satisfying, even though you’re taking off your beautiful manicure.
But peeling them off yourself causes a lot of damage. We always recommend that you have them professionally removed to minimize any damage. While you’re at the salon, you can have your next manicure applied, too!
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Unlike regular polish, LCN nails are cured under UV light. But that doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t harmful to your nails after they cure. Whenever possible, try to protect your gel manicure from direct sunlight.
Ready to Book an LCN Gel Nails Manicure?
With these handy tricks, gel manicures can last for several weeks. Keep your nails looking better for longer with the above maintenance tips. To book an appointment with a skilled manicurist, contact AiNails & Spa today.
Posted on: Wed, 04/20/2022 - 11:07