Gel nails usually last 2–3 weeks. While people can safely have gel nails every few weeks, dermatologists recommend keeping the nails bare for at least 1–2 weeks in between manicures. This helps to strengthen, repair, and rehydrate the nails.
It's recommended that you give your nails at least two weeks between each gel manicure or switch up the type of manicure you get, like regular polish or dip powder. If you begin to experience discoloration, brittleness, or pain around the nail beds, it's time for a break, so it doesn't lead to nail damage long term.
I'll give it to you straight: The longest you can wear a gel manicure without compromising your nail health is two weeks, says Evelyn Lim, chief educator of New York–based nail salon Paintbox.
As a starting point, Choi recommends taking a break from gel for at least two weeks to a month to start seeing a real difference. "For painful, more intense damage from repeated picking and peeling, it can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to grow the nails back out," says Reynosa.
For gel nails, take a break for a week at least once every eight weeks to allow the nails to rehydrate and to allow repair of the underlying structures. “An emollient applied directly to the nail and cuticle oil will also aid recovery,” said Batra.
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.
It's possible to go too often
recommends receiving no more than two gel manicures back-to-back.
Just like your cuticles, if the nail bed isn't prepped correctly, it can lead to the premature peeling of gel polish. The key factor here is moisture - too much water will cause your nails to expand, and when you apply polish on such moist nails, they may begin chipping or peeling sooner than they should.
Looking after our nails is so important to keep them looking their best and to keep our general body health in check. So remember to take a break every three or four weeks to help our nails restore and build back some strength.
Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.
While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack. You'll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.
The harmful effects of UV rays accumulate over time, and Davis' own research has suggested that the more frequently people get manicures with UV nail lamps, the greater their risk of damage might be. Using a UV nail dryer every other week is "probably too much," she said.
How long does it take for gel nails to grow out? Gel nails typically last between 2 and 4 weeks, however, it really depends on the individual. The growth of your natural nails will determine how long your gel manicure lasts before you start to see signs that they have grown out.
Think of gel polish as liquid acrylics.
The removal process for gel polish is more complex as well, requiring the nail to be soaked in acetone to properly dissolve the formula off of the nail." So not only will they last longer, but they'll look harder and shinier while you've got 'em, too.
Thea Green, the founder of Nails Inc agrees: “Frequent gel manicures can take a toll on the nail bed, as you're not giving the nail time to rest and recover from the removal so it's definitely a good idea to give them a mini break.
So how long should you leave between applying builder gel again? In our experience a break for a week every eight weeks will be the perfect length of time to let your natural nails breathe. During the break period, make sure to keep your nails moisturised and hydrated.
There is very little evidence that SNS is any better or worse for your nails than gel polish, hard gel or acrylic. What causes damage to your natural nails is not the product itself, but the application and removal process. This is why your technician will advise you not to pick at or peel off your gel or acrylic.
When you don't cap the free edge of your nails when applying gel polish, it can lead to peeling. This is because the uncapped edges of your nail become exposed to air and quickly break down. As they dry out, they will start to chip away at the polish, causing it to come off in patches and strips.
Avoid picking or peeling the product off as this could damage your natural nails. Avoid filing your nails and pushing your cuticles back, as this will break the seal of the gel and can lead to chipping.
Use a Cuticle Cream or Oil
Manicurist Rita Remark says that one of the easiest ways to repair damaged nails is to apply cuticle oil, followed by a hand cream. "Cuticle oils deliver vitamins and nourishment; the cream will lock moisture. Moisture loss is a common symptom of gel nail damage."
Gel nails can be applied either by hand or under a UV lamp (which typically requires acrylic powder), while Shellac comes pre-packaged as nail polish. It applies similarly to regular polish and is cured with a special LED light, making it faster than applying gel at home under a UV lamp.
This largely depends how you use it. Gel polish can be tough on the surface of your natural nails. But occasionally getting this type of nail polish applied and removed by licensed professionals isn't likely to have any long-term adverse effects on your nail health.
Long-lasting
While gel polish is generally said to last at least two weeks, your gel manicure may last as long as one month — or as long as you want to keep it. The only long-term side effect of wearing gel nails for a while is that your nail will eventually grow out.
The biggest benefit of gel manis is how long they last. "Gel manicures could last up to two weeks with proper nail prep and at-home care, such as cuticle oil and hand lotion," says Duguay-Gordon. And if you're careful, they can last up to four weeks.