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Original poster

How to get natural nails to recover after gel nails

32 replies

Whatliesbeneath707 · 18/10/2021 07:06

I’ve been having gel nails done for over a year. They helped to keep my nails strong & long whilst I was having them but now I’ve had them removed, my natural nails are like tissue paper! They’re so thin, weak & fragile that I just can’t grow them. My actual nails felt bruised initially when the gels were removed. That pain is reducing now after a few weeks.
What can I do to strengthen my own nails & encourage growth? I’m using multi vitamins/supplements & I’m applying a nail hardening varnish.
I’m almost tempted to go back to gels to just get the strength & length back but know that it will need to be a constant thing then.
Any suggestions please?

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 18/10/2021 07:25

Nailtiques No 2 or Mavala K (which is easier to get/cheaper) Mavala K & Nailactan

Let them recover!

Fluffycloudland77 · 18/10/2021 08:23

I think you need a better salon, they shouldn’t be thin or painful.

AsLongAsIHaveMyTea · 18/10/2021 08:25

Rub a nail oil into them at bedtime and leave them aloe. I had gel / acrylics for years and my nails were awful! But leaving them alone, letting them recover and growing them out was the best thing. Now I get a manicure every couple of months to tidy up my cuticles etc and that’s it. So much better

GinIronic · 18/10/2021 08:27

Try OPI nail envy.

TheOccupier · 18/10/2021 10:09

CND Rescue Rxx is amazing:
amazon.co.uk/CND-Rescue-Daily-Keratin-Treatment/dp/B00U6IC4BE]]

If your nails felt bruised after the gel removal, the person who did it was too rough. A lot of salons don't soak nails for long enough and then just hack off the gel - that's always going to hurt.

TheOccupier · 18/10/2021 10:11

Hmm, link seems to have gone weird

www.amazon.co.uk/CND-Rescue-Daily-Keratin-Treatment/dp/B00U6IC4BE?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

JerkintheMerkin · 18/10/2021 13:16

@BlackSwan. I use both of those as well. Best products imo.

Original poster
Whatliesbeneath707 · 18/10/2021 13:27

Thanks everyone. I will look at your suggestions.

OP posts:
BrumCahoots · 18/10/2021 13:31

@BlackSwan .. I'd agree with Nailtiques. Also use a good cuticle oil as many times a day as you can remember.. Gelish one is best one Ive tried.

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 18/10/2021 13:49

Nailtiques formula 3 is incredible (if you can find it).

MrsWidgerysLodger · 18/10/2021 13:49

Agree with Nailtiquea formula 2... Also get a good cuticle oil and use it as often as you remember to.

knackeredcat · 18/10/2021 14:47

A bit old fashioned, perhaps, but Nunale cream helps mine in between my DIY gels. I also use a roll on cuticle oil from Mylee whether I have gel polish on or not.

whiteonesugar · 18/10/2021 15:40

Oil oil oil - oil your nails every night and maybe during the day too. They will get better. I have gel all the time but during lockdown mine were super thin for a while after i attempted to soak them off myself. They are fine now, super strong and I am back to having gel manis every 3 weeks.

stevalnamechanger · 18/10/2021 15:44

@Fluffycloudland77

I think you need a better salon, they shouldn’t be thin or painful.
This ! Are you using NSS ( none standard salons ) ? ( this is the correct term for many cheap high street nail salons )
madamim · 18/10/2021 19:54

Hi you can't really strengthen what has already grown, you could go for a pinky gel overlay to protect what is already grown and then grow them out not having anymore gel put on them.

TheLastLonelyBakedBeanInTheTin · 18/10/2021 19:56

Vitamin E oil (should have been advised to treat the cuticles with an oil when getting gels anyway). I used Cutex nail strengthener for a while and took a break from all other products. Worked a treat

Skala123 · 18/10/2021 20:07

Just put gels back on. Your nails continue to grow so are constantly repairing themselves

Redtartanshoes · 18/10/2021 20:10

Agree with what has grown can’t be strengthened, but keeping them short, oiling and a good coat will help. Also, and am not sure whether this is an old wives tale but it worked for me… a cube of jelly every day. The geletin is supposed to work wonders

TheLastLonelyBakedBeanInTheTin · 18/10/2021 20:36

It should take about 5 months to grow your whole nail out if you keep them short. So in 5 months it will be as though you never had gel or acrylic. It doesn't take that long. IME using strong chemicals regularly on any area of your body is not sustainable you need to have 'breaks'. So eg. With micro blading you can end up with scars if you do it too regularly which are hard to cover, or with hair colouring you can end up with hair that's really stringy and damaged and needs to be grown out or cut or not bleached for a while. Nails are the same. But thankfully because nails grow back to quickly it doesn't need to be a long break.

TheLastLonelyBakedBeanInTheTin · 18/10/2021 20:44

@Redtartanshoes

Agree with what has grown can’t be strengthened, but keeping them short, oiling and a good coat will help. Also, and am not sure whether this is an old wives tale but it worked for me… a cube of jelly every day. The geletin is supposed to work wonders
www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3314562/Want-avoid-winter-colds-Tuck-jelly-Gelatine-boost-immune-beat-hangovers-banish-cellulite.html

It's not an old wives tale!

bellabride · 18/10/2021 21:31

I've been using Hard As Hoof cream on my weak nails, and they feel stronger already after only a few days' use.

Deathraystare · 19/10/2021 10:10

@blackSwan

Well it is all your fault, I come on here you mention Mavala K and I have now shopped for that and an array of Mavala nail polishes! I do love them!

BlackSwan · 19/10/2021 13:46

Deathray Grin not offering any money back guarantees! The nail polishes are all quite teeny tiny. I never make it through a regular size polish without them going gluggy anyway, so they suit me.

Whitney168 · 19/10/2021 13:51

Another vote for Nailtiques.

Even one application of gel from a very reputable salon can entirely kill my (usually extremely strong and fast growing) nails, and this is best at bringing them back when I've been stupid enough to do it again.

I really have vowed never again now though. It's beyond me how people keep them on permanently, chunks of my nail just peel away with the gel LOL.

isthismylifenow · 19/10/2021 13:58

@Redtartanshoes

Agree with what has grown can’t be strengthened, but keeping them short, oiling and a good coat will help. Also, and am not sure whether this is an old wives tale but it worked for me… a cube of jelly every day. The geletin is supposed to work wonders
I had the same problem, and I did start taking Collagen to help my nails to get back to normal.

I do think it helped, as I read that it would take about 4 to 6 months for them to strengthen up again. Mine took about 3 months. I won't do gel again after that experience. I really do have great natural nails so I just do my own polish every now and then which last a week or so.

I had hand and nail lotion everywhere I went, and I just rubbed it in whenever I thought about it.

They will get there OP. I just takes a bit of time.

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