Anyone who has ever worn acrylic nails knows that they run the risk of causing serious damage to their natural nails if not removed properly. Usually, the best way to repair this damage is to wait for the nail to grow. As this process progresses, you can take several steps to ensure that your nails grow healthy and beautiful, such as providing daily and weekly grooming, and monitoring your diet to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Taking Care of Nails
Step 1. Trim nails to prevent damage
If after removing your natural acrylic nails you feel weak, they are more likely to break easily, causing pain and rough edges. Trim your nails neatly using clean nail clippers. Cut the corners so they are not sharp.
you can too using manicure scissors to cut nails.
Step 2. Trim your nails with a file and rub it to one side only
Choose a fine-toothed nail file that doesn't feel too harsh on your nails. Start at one end of the outer side, then work your way to the other end. Do not rub it back and forth as this can damage the edges of the nail.
To avoid overdoing it, position the edge of the file under the tip of the nail so you can see the whole process
Step 3. Make sure you polish your nails once a week
Get rid of the oil on your nails by rubbing acetone, alcohol, or vinegar on them. Use small circular motions to buff the surface of the nail until it is completely smooth. Don't overdo it as you can make your nails feel thin.
- You can also polish your nails with an "X" motion.
- However, you shouldn't do this too often as your nails can become thin over time.
Step 4. Keep hands moist with hand cream
To keep your nails healthy, your hands need to be hydrated. Apply hand cream or lotion at least twice a day, including once before bed. Opt for a heavier cream at night for extra moisture.
- Use lotion after washing your hands.
- Wear cloth gloves at night after applying lotion to help retain moisture.
Step 5. Apply a mixture of cuticle oil and jojoba oil around the nails
Keeping cuticles moisturized will help your nails grow and keep them healthy and hydrated. Apply cuticle oil once a day. The night is the best time to apply the mixture because you can allow the oil to soak in while you sleep.
Apply after you apply lotion or hand cream
Step 6. Use a nail hardener to protect the nails
If you have weak, brittle nails, a hardening product may help them grow properly. Just apply the liquid nail hardener in the same way as using nail polish, starting from the part of the nail near the finger to the tip. Allow the liquid to dry, then reuse when needed.
- You can find this product at most pharmacies and supermarkets. This product is also often labeled “nail strengthener”.
- Some people are not suitable for using liquid nail hardener so that their nails are even more easily damaged. If this happens, use a transparent base coat of nail polish instead.
Step 7. Wait for the nails to grow completely
Even if you can't completely repair the damage caused by applying acrylic nails, your natural nail will eventually grow back. New nails are usually stronger and healthier if you take care of them regularly and maintain a balanced diet.
Method 2 of 3: Eating the Right Nutrients
Step 1. Get your biotin intake from foods like eggs, meat, and avocados
Biotin is an important substance for healthy nails, hair and skin, and can improve the health of acrylic-damaged nails. Most meats are good sources of biotin, including fish. You can also eat beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli to get enough biotin intake.
- If you are over 18, try to get 30 micrograms of biotin daily. One egg contains 10 micrograms of biotin, while a slice of pork or hamburger contains about 3.8 micrograms of biotin. Meanwhile, 85 grams of salmon contains 5 micrograms of biotin.
- Just like a variety of nuts and seeds, 28 grams of sunflower seeds contain 2.6 micrograms of biotin, while almonds contain 1.5 micrograms.
- If you feel you are not getting biotin in the food you eat, ask your doctor for supplement recommendations. Usually, a supplement with 2.5 milligrams of biotin can help you. Although this amount is much higher than the recommended daily limit, you can still take 50 milligrams of biotin without any problems.
Step 2. Take a 10 milligram silicon supplement daily
Silicone can help restore the condition of nails damaged by using acrylic. Look for a supplement containing orthosilicic acid from stabilized choline (ch-OSA), then take it daily for at least 4 months.
- Consult a doctor before starting to take supplements.
- If you don't want to take supplements, beer is a natural source of silicon. A small can of beer contains 10 milligrams of silicon which can meet your needs. However, remember, drink only as needed.
Step 3. Make sure you get enough protein from food
To determine how much protein you need each day, multiply your body weight (in kilograms) by 0.8 grams. You can also use an online protein calculator.
- For example, if you weigh 68 kg, multiply that number by 0.8 and the result is 54.4 grams of protein. If you weigh 90 kg, multiply that number by 0.8 to find that you need 72 grams of protein per day.
- As a guide, one serving of tuna, salmon, or haddock the size of a deck of playing cards contains 21 grams of protein, while the same amount of turkey or chicken contains 19 grams of protein.
- One egg contains 6 grams of protein, while 81 grams of cottage cheese contains 14 grams of protein. The same amount of cooked green beans with soft cheese contains 8 grams of protein.
Step 4. Eat iron-rich foods, such as red meat, green vegetables, and beans
Iron deficiency can cause nail and hair problems. So, make sure you get enough iron intake from food. Women aged 19-50 years need 18 milligrams of iron daily, while other adults need 8 milligrams of iron per day.
- Nutritious breakfast cereals are one of the best sources of iron because they contain about 18 milligrams of iron per serving. One serving of oysters weighing 85 grams or 179 grams of white beans contains 8 milligrams of iron. Other sources of iron are dark chocolate, spinach, lentils, meat, and beans.
- Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, cold easily, frequent dizziness, shortness of breath, feeling weak, and brittle nails.
Step 5. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, protein, whole grains, and nuts
Almost all vitamins and minerals are good for nail health. So, make sure you eat a variety of foods to get complete nutrition. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain products, such as whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, and buckwheat.
Eat a variety of nuts and seeds
Method 3 of 3: Using Acrylic Nails Correctly
Step 1. Get professional help to remove acrylic nails
Since it's quite difficult to remove it, it's best to seek professional help. A nail care professional will trim the tips of your nails, then use a file to remove the acrylic from the nails. After that, he will soak your nails in acetone so that all the nail polish wears off.
Usually, he will use a cuticle pusher to remove any excess acrylic at the tip
Step 2. Don't use acrylic all the time
If you continue to use acrylic, your nails will be damaged. Allow at least a week before reapplying the acrylic to keep your nails strong.
Alternatively, you can also limit the use of artificial nails to special occasions
Step 3. Choose a gel nail polish instead of acrylic
If your nails are damaged by using acrylic, replace them with gel polish. Some gels can be washed off with just water without the need to scrape off the nails so they don't get damaged.
In addition, gel is also more flexible than acrylic. This means, the substance is not at risk of cracking nails
Step 4. Replace the acrylic paint completely every 6 to 12 months
If you use acrylic to paint your nails, you will need to replace it at least once a year. This is because the air pockets under the acrylic will compress the paint and cause more nail damage.
