Gel Nail Polish: What You Need to Know

Gel nail polish certainly has its perks. You don't have to worry about chipped polish for at least 2 weeks, and the shine lasts even longer. However, nail lamps are not regulated by the FDA, and as we know, the ultraviolet light emitted by these lamps can and does cause skin cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends the following tips for keeping your nails healthy:

1. Be proactive with your manicurist: Ask if tools are sterilized, and look around to make sure your manicurist is disinfecting tools after every client. In addition, never let your manicurist push or cut your cuticle, as this could lead to infection.
2. Wear sunscreen: Before getting a gel manicure, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your hands to prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging. This will help protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish. Another option is to wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off before your nail polish is applied.
3. Don’t pick gel nail polish: When the color begins to come off, don’t pick at the polish to try and remove it. Peeling off your polish will strip the top layer of your nails, causing them to become brittle.
4. Only soak your fingertips in acetone: When removing polish, only soak your fingertips in acetone instead of your whole hands or fingers. Another option is to use cotton balls to remove the polish. Soak the cotton balls in acetone and apply them to you nails by wrapping small pieces of aluminum foil around your fingertips. This will ensure that only your nails come into contact with the acetone. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come right off. 

To care for your nails in between gel manicures, the AAD recommends the following:

1. Take a nail polish holiday: Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails time to repair.
2. Re-hydrate your nails: Between polishes, apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily. This will minimize brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.