6 things you should never do to your nails after a manicure, according to nail artists

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Julie Kandalec, celebrity manicurist, educator and founder Julie K Nail AcademyBI said that picking at a gel manicure can cause long-term problems.

Depending on how fast your nails grow, it may take months to see them look healthy again after you peel off hardened nail polish.

Lauren Ortegaa freelance nail artist based in New York, also advised against the practice.

“You’re peeling off layers of your nail — making it much thinner — and that will make your future manicures not last as long as they should,” she said.

Instead, have them professionally removed. If that’s not an option, invest in products specifically made for gel removal.

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Similarly, avoid pulling on anything cuticles or dead skin around the nails between appointments as this can cause painful nails.

Instead, Kandalec said to apply cuticle oil and moisturizer on top, free edge and bottom of nails for full, moisturizing effects to maintain healthy natural nails.

“If that natural nail underneath is dry, it will curl away from the enhancement and that’s what causes the lift,” she told BI.

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Nicole Wong, an expert nail designer at MiniLuxe nail care studiorecommended to stay away from extreme heat and cold water after a gel manicure. This can cause the polish to expand and contract, which can lead to chipping.

Ortega also told BI that water can be incredibly drying to the nail area, and hot water can cause gel polish to soften on a fresh manicure.

“I always recommend that people wear gloves for any kind of housework or dishes,” she said.

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If you’re experiencing a lumpy nail or a nail extension is starting to lift, Wong said make an appointment at the salon, stat.

She also told BI that bandages are your best friend — keeping one on the affected area can help lessen the overall damage and prevent you from doing them.

“Lifting can cause real damage to the nails,” Wong said. “It could cause a crack in the middle of the nail bed and is very difficult to heal. It takes a long time to grow.”

When such problems arise, Kandalec said, it’s important to avoid cuticle oil.

If the nail lifts, the moisturizer and oil can slide underneath and cause the nail glue to erode, pulling the extension off completely. Oil and water can also get trapped under the extension and cause bacterial infections known as “greenies”.

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Ortega’s mantra for fresh nails is “jewelry, not tools.”

The beautiful set is meant to be admired, not used for things like opening a soda can or tightening screws — no matter how handy your claws are.

“You want to be very careful about the pressure you put your nails under,” she told BI.

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Everyone wants it get the most out of a manicureespecially if they paid top dollar for polish and special techniques. But don’t let a beloved set outstay its welcome.

Wong said this to BI the longer the nails, the more stress they will experience, which can cause them to break and lift.

She recommends removing the extensions after three or four weeks.