QuestionQUESTION: What is your recomendation for product use for the nails to become stronger and healther, yet as quickly as possible once you remove acylic nails.
ANSWER: Rehydration. Assuming the nails have not been damaged by poor application, improper removal, or MMA; the number one problem your nails face upon removal of product is that they are dehydrated. So the fastest way back to feeling normal is to get them rehydrated.
I recommend oil. Olive oil, jojoba oil, or one of the high quality professional cuticle oils available, such as Solar Oil, or Haken's cuticle oils. Just avoid blends that contain mineral oil (baby oil is made from mineral oil and fragrance, btw, so avoid that too) because the lipids that comprise the oil are too large to be effectively absorbed. Mineral oil is also a petroleum product, and there is a widespread belief in the skin care industry that petroleum products actually leech moisture OUT of your skin! Hence, a tendency to experience the more you use/the more you need phenomenon.
It should only take a few days to feel like normal again after removing acrylic, but if the nails have been damaged-- thinned out from aggressive filing or drilling is common, or ripped up from the acrylic being forcibly pried off the nail plate with nippers, string, nail tip or metal implement-- it will take approximately 6 months for new nail to grow from the matrix, near the cuticle, to the free edge, where the nail leaves the fingertip.
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QUESTION: A few of the nails have been damaged; any other product you suggest for the damaged ones after I get them hydrated?
Especially to help the appearance of them as to not look so bad.
Thanks,
AnswerYou might want to try a ridge filling basecoat. They aren't as easy to find as they used to be, but you should be able to find one at Sally's Beauty Supply. It's a thick basecoat that is designed to fill in ridges.
CND and OPI both have extremely decent nail strengthening basecoats now also.
The best you can do as far as appearance goes is keep them polished while they grow out, short of putting new enhancements on. But I'm guessing you took the acrylic off for a reason, you probably don't want to go out and start all over again.
A great way to help with growth and appearance while they return to normal is to enjoy weekly manicures. A manicure will keep the free edges of your nails filed and shaped, and keep your cuticles pushed back and free of hangnails, not to mention a hand massage sure feels nice now and then! Day spas usually offer several very luxurious choices for natural nail care, but if finances are tight check out your local beauty college! Students are required to complete a number of services on live people before they can advance to their state board exam, schools are often open to the public for student services at ridiculously low prices.
It's too late to worry about this now, but when you decide you want to put acrylic (or gel, or any other enhancement product) back on, make sure you research your salon and nail tech and make sure they are skilled in techniques that don't damage your natural nails. When properly applied, maintained and removed, enhancement services shouldn't leave you with damaged nails that have ridges, holes, or drill marks in them.
