Shellac is a real salvation for owners of thin and brittle nails. Durable coating allows ladies to walk with spectacular manicure for several weeks. But for such convenience you have to pay with the health of the nail plate. If you want to remove the cover, you have to work hard to restore the beauty of your natural manicure. What should be done to restore nails after shellac?
Shellac danger myths
There is much debate about whether shellac is harmful. The first thing to consider and debunk common myths. Namely:
The product contains hazardous substances. In fact, the composition of shellac is much safer than that of a conventional budget coating, which contains toluene, formaldehyde and other toxic components.
The tool spoils the nails. With proper nail preparation, shellac not only does not spoil the nail plate, but also protects it from external influences.
Need exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation. In fact, this is optional. Shellac hardens perfectly under the light of a completely safe LED lamp.
Objective danger
Is shellac harmful? If the nails are healthy, and the master is a professional in his field, nothing threatens your nails. But unfortunately, the ideal picture of the nail service is extremely rare. Therefore, you should beware of such a real danger:
- Shellac creates a durable airtight coating under which a greenhouse effect is created. This is an ideal environment for the multiplication of the fungus and the development of other diseases.
- To remove the coating, acetone is used, which drains the nail plate. In addition, additional mechanical action may be required to remove product residues.
- The main harm of shellac is that before applying it, the surface of the nail is ground, because of which the plate becomes much thinner. If the master overdoes it, the plate may be seriously damaged.
- Shellac is worn for 3-4 weeks. During this time, you will not notice under the opaque coating darkening, yellowness and other signs of nail diseases. Thus, you lose the opportunity to solve the problem in the initial stage.
- The harm of shellac is also associated with allergic reactions that methacrylate causes. The problem occurs with repeated use of the drug and manifests itself in the form of itching and severe rashes.
Especially a lot of controversy is going on regarding the use of shellac during pregnancy. In principle, this is not prohibited. If future mothers do not want to deny themselves a beautiful manicure, they are better off giving up products that contain camphor oil.
Important disclaimer
Whatever means and procedures you resort to, you should not expect instant miraculous restoration of nails after shellac. All measures are aimed at relieving discomfort and improving the functional state of the damaged plate. But the nail is a dead tissue, therefore, restoration as such can only be said after its full growth.
To speed up this process, you need to follow two simple rules. First, moisturizing oils must be applied daily to the cuticle. Secondly, it is important to adhere to a balanced diet and take vitamin-mineral complexes saturated with calcium.
Baths
To restore nails after shellac at home, baths are ideal. Salt procedures will help make the nail plate harder and stronger. Namely:
- in a glass of warm water, dilute a tablespoon of salt (preferably sea or iodized);
- add a couple of drops of citrus or lemon juice ether;
- hold the nails in the solution for 10 minutes;
- dry your hands and grease liberally with a moisturizer.
If the nail plate is badly damaged and overdried, it is better to give preference to oil baths. The procedure is as follows:
- slightly warm the olive oil (it is better to use unrefined);
- dip the nails in the liquid for 10 minutes;
- pat your hands with a napkin, and rub the remaining oil into the nail plate.
Gelatin mask
Gelatin has an intense regenerative effect. A mask based on this product is an effective analogue of salon sealing. Here is how the procedure is carried out.
- In a glass of hot water, dilute a tablespoon of instant gelatin.
- When the liquid has cooled to a comfortable warm temperature, lower your fingertips into it.
- After a quarter of an hour, remove your hands from the liquid and gently rub the residue into the nails.
- Pat your hands with a napkin and apply cream.
Iodine
Pronounced disinfecting and firming properties has iodine. To quickly restore your nails every two to three days in the evenings, apply the product on the nails. But this should be done not with a continuous layer, but with a net. Otherwise, there is a risk of overdrying the plate, because this agent has a high concentration of alcohol.
Vitamins
To restore nails after shellac, purchase oily solutions of vitamins A and E. Every evening, mix a few drops of funds and gently rub into your nails. It is much more convenient to use "Aevit" in capsules. The contents of one capsule is enough to process the nails on one arm. It is recommended that you simultaneously use "Aevit" externally and take it inside.
Salon treatments
For quick and high-quality restoration of nails after shellac, use salon services. Here are the most popular and effective procedures.
- Sealing. The procedure involves the use of beeswax and honey. The product is applied to damaged nails and rubbed intensively. As a result, a protective breathable film is formed, which gives the nail plate elasticity. Externally, the nails look healthier.
- Paraffin baths. They can be used both directly on the nails and on the skin of the hands as a whole. The fingertips or hands are lowered into melted warm paraffin, after which the “mask” is left for 20-30 minutes. After the procedure, the skin becomes moisturized and tender, and the nails are elastic and smooth.
- Healing varnishes. For the restoration of nails, agents saturated with useful substances are used. As a rule, vitamins include minerals, calcium, silk fibers and so on. They prevent further destruction of the nail plate and improve its appearance. Most professional formulations need polymerization. Make sure that the master uses an LED lamp, not harmful UV.
Repairing varnishes
Healing repair varnishes can be used not only in the salon, but also at home. Here are the most popular and effective remedies:
STRENGTHENING CONDITIONER WITH SILK is a silk-based revitalizing and firming treatment. When applied in a double layer, it nourishes well and improves the appearance of the nail plate.
Regenerating conditioner with keratin - therapeutic keratin-based conditioning coating. It deeply moisturizes the nail plate and protects it from external negative influences. It can be used as an independent coating or as a base for varnish.
"Force of nature" - varnish based on marine minerals. It is used as an independent firming coating or as a preventive base for cosmetic varnish.
Kalyon is a professional tool with strengthening and stimulating properties. Used by a three-week course. Thanks to a pleasant mother-of-pearl shade, it can serve as a replacement for varnish.
Keratin Nail Restorer is a keratin-based moisturizer. With daily application, it partially restores the structure of the damaged plate, improving its appearance.
Recovery with IBX System
Needless to say, after removing the gel coating, the appearance of the nail plate leaves much to be desired. 3-4 months can elapse before complete regrowth and recovery. But can a woman afford to walk all this time with sloppy manicure? The IBX nail system will help give your nails a natural, well-groomed look and speed up recovery.
It consists of two drugs. The first has a natural oil base and is designed to nourish, moisturize and accelerate the growth of marigolds, as well as gluing scales on a damaged surface. The second is a protective coating that neutralizes negative external influences and improves the appearance of the nail plate.
It is important that the use of the complex requires polymerization in an LED lamp. But women claim that at home, you can use a hairdryer or incandescent lamp. The result of the procedure is the effect of a perfectly healthy natural nail. On top of the coating you can apply ordinary decorative varnish or even gel polish. Depending on the degree of damage to the nail, it will take up to four procedures per month to maintain the effect.
The main disadvantage of this tool is its high cost. A set costs about 3,000 rubles (mini version - about 1,500 rubles). If we are talking about a salon procedure, one session will cost you about 1,000 rubles.
DNC Wax
An affordable and effective remedy for the restoration of nails after gel coating is DNC bio-wax. The tool has an instant effect and gives the nails a well-groomed appearance. This is achieved through such components:
- Beeswax and paraffin - make the nail plate invulnerable to sunlight, aggressive substances, and other harmful environmental factors.
- Castor oil - deeply moisturizes the nail plate and cuticle, and also contributes to the rapid healing of microdamages.
- Silicone - fills microcracks in a damaged nail, and also creates additional protection against the negative effects of external factors.
- Vitamin-mineral complex - deeply nourishes the nail plate and contributes to its rapid regrowth.
Judging by the reviews, this inexpensive budget tool looks after nails perfectly, gives them a neat look and is in no way inferior to the salon sealing procedure. The only drawback is the oily texture. If you do not rub the composition into your nails properly, you can stain furniture and clothes with the remains of fat.
If the nails are loose
In the event that after shellac, the nails go away from the skin, you should immediately consult a dermatovenerologist, because the problem can be associated not only with mechanical damage, but also with fungal infection and other serious diseases. The treatment may be as follows:
- mechanical removal of a diseased nail;
- the use of local and general antifungal drugs;
- intake of vitamin and mineral complexes;
- laser treatment;
- adherence to a special diet.
Conclusion
The assertion that beauty requires sacrifice is the best suited for shellac nails. For a beautiful "long-playing" manicure, you have to pay a "killed" nail plate, which needs a long and careful restoration. After removing the gel coating, be ready to do any household chores (up to dusting and watering the flowers) with gloves on. This restriction is valid until a new healthy nail is fully grown.