How to Fix Damaged Nails After Acrylic
If you've recently removed acrylic nails and are left with thin, peeling, paper-like nails that hurt to the touch, you are not alone. Aggressive filing and harsh removal processes can severely damage the nail plate. The good news? Your nails will grow back. Here is our expert guide to nursing them back to health.
1. Keep Them Short
Damaged nails are incredibly weak and prone to tearing. The best thing you can do right now is keep them filed short. A short, rounded shape will prevent them from catching on things and breaking painfully as they grow out.
2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Acrylics and the acetone used to remove them strip your nails and cuticles of their natural oils. You need to replenish that moisture. Invest in a high-quality cuticle oil (jojoba oil is excellent because its molecular structure is small enough to penetrate the nail plate) and apply it 2-3 times a day. Massage it into the nail bed and surrounding skin.
3. Try a Builder Gel (BIAB) Overlay
If your nails are so thin that they are painful, leaving them completely bare might not be the best option. A thin overlay of Builder Gel (BIAB) can act as a protective shield. Builder gel is flexible and strong, protecting your damaged nails from daily wear and tear while allowing them to grow out safely underneath. Unlike acrylic, it doesn't require aggressive filing of the natural nail.
4. Be Patient
Nails grow slowly—about 3 millimeters a month. It takes roughly 4 to 6 months for a nail to completely replace itself from the cuticle to the free edge. You have to be patient and consistent with your care routine.
5. Avoid DIY Fixes
Resist the urge to glue torn nails back together with superglue or pick at peeling layers. If you have a painful tear, visit a professional who can safely repair it using silk wraps or gel.
Let Us Help
If you're dealing with acrylic damage, book a consultation at Tips to Toes. Our gentle, non-toxic approach and strengthening builder gel treatments are exactly what your nails need to recover and thrive.
Tips to Toes Editorial
Expert nail care advice from Bethesda's premier non-toxic salon.