Help! Wrecked nails (pics)

[Masha31]

I had gel polish applied 2 weeks ago but it chipped over the last few days. I had it before (but not as good quality) and soaked it in hot water and it peeled off, however, I've just done the same with thd better stuff and now my nails are dry they are peeling and horribly dry (see photo).

Why did I peel/pick it off, I knew I shouldn't have done! What can I do to help my nails be less dry and flaky please?

[HollyJollyDillydolly]

Nail/cuticle oil should help.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Nail oil will help but you've taken a layer of your nail off & need to either;

Wait for the damage to grow out.
Find a tech offering IBX treatments which fill in the damaged areas & strengthen the nails.

If you peel gel polish off damage is inevitable.

[PugwallsSummer]

Mine were like that after Shellac. I gave them a light file to get rid of the flakey bits & buffed them up which made a huge difference. Then left them "naked" for a few weeks & moisturised well.

[PugwallsSummer]

By the way, I didn't use an emery board, it was one of those oblong ones that file, smooth, buff & shine, if you know what I mean...

[dailyshite]

Mine are totally ruined after gel nails. Would never, ever have them done again. I only did it because my friend was training and I let her practice on me - up till that point I had really strong nails but they just peel and flake now.

[Funnyonion17]

They aren't too bad, few days they will be ok. Buff them to remove rough bits

[dudsville]

I've had to repair my nails from damaging them from pushing back and biting off my cuticles excessivley. I didn't reaslise I was doing this and googled for reasons my nails were flaking and this was cited as a possible cause! I immediately stopped messing about with my cuticles (I read about a very gentle way to push back cuticles). I have an old tub of 8 hour cream - that smelly gel stuff in a jar. I've been rubbing them with that for a few weeks now and they are already looking healthier and have stopped flaking. Long story short - I'd recommend some sort of oily thing to massage into your nail bed after every hand wash and before bed.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Buffing reduces nail strength/thickness further. There already missing a layer of nail.

If you go too far (bear in mind a finger nail is 100 layers or so thick) you can leave the nail bed sensitive to pain, the thickness of the nail is there to protect the bed. A buffer can reduce thickness by a third in the wrong hands.

[user1489179512]

Stop using that awful fake nail stuff?

[Paris1986]

I had gel polish on for my wedding day (never done it before, or since - but that's cos I'm not a nail type of person, just pushed the boat out that day!). Started to come off about 10 days later when I was honeymoon so despite having promised myself I wouldn't, peeled it off. My nails looked like yours but just made sure I kept them 'naked' for a good few weeks and moisturised with hand cream. They were fine.

[Onynx]

Nailtiques have a protein formula especially for just after gel nails. Not sure what it's called. I used Nailtiques formula 2 on my cracked, peeling nails and it was amazing. My nails are in great condition again. I'd tried absolutely everything else first because the Nailtiques was pricier but it was worth it for me anyway.

[ThePinkOcelot]

Rub in coconut oil. That's should help.
CND rescue will also help to strengthen them.
My nails were ruined with acrylics and that has definitely helped bring them back to life.

[carrie74]

CND Rescue is fantastic, my nails suffered after too many back to back Shellacs, but this really really helped. I kept my nails naked for a couple of months too.

[KoolKoala07]

I'm a beauty therapist and unfortunately one of the perils of gel is it will damage your nails. I always make this very clear to my clients. A light buff with a soft grit buffer on each nail with some oil will help. Then to clean nails (should be cleaned with nail polish remover first) apply a strengther or even just a clear if that's all you've got. Gel polish won't ruin nails forever unless the nail bed is damaged. Picking nails off is damaging but equally the acetone that should be used for removal is horrifically dehydrating to nails and surrounding skin.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Temporarily dehydrating though. If it wasn't so dehydrating greenies would be very common.

[nightswimming1]

They'll be fine. I have gel all the time and they bounce back after a few days. Good handcream / oil and nail envy or similar and they will be fine.

[user1489179512]

Your nails are there for a reason. I would never stick any fake stuff on mine.