How Long Do Gel Nails Last? How to Make Them Last Longer
By HER Beauty
Gel nails typically last 3-4 weeks, and gel polish (shellac) lasts up to about 3 weeks. How long yours last depends on three things: how well the nail is prepared, how fast your nail grows, and what your hands do every day. That last part is largely up to you.
How long do gel nails and gel polish last?
When we talk about how long gel lasts, we mean two different things. One is whether the gel stays on and looks good. The other is regrowth, which shows at the cuticle as your natural nail grows out.
For most people, regrowth decides the timing. After 3-4 weeks the gel sits further out towards the tip, and the balance of the nail changes. That is when a nail is more likely to break or lift.
So we recommend booking a refill before your nails start causing trouble. A Gel Refill takes 60 minutes and costs 669 DKK. If your current set was done at another salon, book Gel Refill from another salon (75 min, 720 DKK), since we need a little extra time to assess and correct the existing set. Not sure whether you need a refill or a new set? Read our guide to refill vs. new set.
Why do gel nails lift or chip?
Staying power starts in the salon. The nail plate must be clean and dry before gel goes on, or moisture and oils can weaken the bond. The gel should go on in thin, even layers, be cured properly under the lamp, and the free edge should be sealed so water cannot easily get in.
The rest is decided at home. The most common reasons gel lifts or chips early are:
- Dry nails and cuticles. A dry nail is less flexible, which can cause small cracks in the gel.
- Lots of water and cleaning products. Dishes, cleaning and long baths put strain on the bond between gel and nail.
- Using nails as tools. Opening cans or scraping off labels puts pressure on the tip of the nail.
- Picking. A small loose edge is tempting, but when you pick, you often pull off layers of your own nail too.
How to make gel nails last longer
The good news is that most of it comes down to small habits. Dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend, among other things, wearing gloves for dishes and cleaning and not using your nails as tools. That applies when you wear gel too.
Moisturise every day
Massage a drop of cuticle oil into the cuticle and the skin around the nail, ideally in the evening. It keeps the skin soft and your natural nail flexible under the gel. No cuticle oil at hand? A rich hand cream also makes a difference.
Protect your hands from water and chemicals
Wear rubber gloves for dishes, cleaning and gardening. After swimming in chlorinated pools or the sea, rinse your hands in clean water, dry them well and give your cuticles a little oil.
Use your fingertips, not your nails
Open cans with a spoon, and type with the pad of your finger instead of the nail. It sounds obvious, but this is often where small breaks begin.
Don't pick or file
If a nail lifts or cracks, leave it alone. Picking can leave your natural nail thin and weak for a long time, and that is much harder to fix than the gel itself. Avoid filing a crack at home too, as you risk opening the seal even more.
What should you do if a nail breaks or lifts?
Get in touch as soon as you can. A single nail can often be fixed with a Nail Fix, which takes 15 minutes and costs 55 DKK. The sooner we see it, the lower the risk of water getting under the gel or your own nail being damaged. Our guide to a broken nail explains what to do in the meantime.
If the gel needs to come off completely, have it removed properly instead of peeling it off. We have gathered the essentials in our guide to safe gel nail removal.
Should your nails take a break, and what about the UV lamp?
Dermatologists note that repeated gel manicures can make nails brittle, and that a break of one to two weeks can be a good idea if your nails have become thin or are splitting. Use the break to moisturise nails and cuticles several times a day.
The same source recommends applying a water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your hands before a gel treatment, or wearing dark gloves with the fingertips cut off. You are welcome to bring your own sunscreen to your appointment if you would like to do this.
Book your next appointment
Good habits at home and refills on time are what make your nails last. You can find all prices on our services page, and you can book directly at her-beauty.planway.com. We look forward to seeing you at the salon on Rosenørns Allé 4.