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How to Help Your Nails Recover After Acrylics
Co-authored by wikiHow Staff | Video Team Tested | 26 References

Updated: October 25, 2019

Explore this Article

Caring for Your Nails
Eating the Right Nutrients
Using Acrylics Appropriately
Article Summary
Questions & Answers
Related Articles

Anyone who's ever had acrylic nails knows that they can absolutely ravage your
natural nails if removed incorrectly. Typically, the best way to repair this damage
is to wait for them to regrow. In the meantime, you can take steps to make sure
your nails grow in happy and healthy by providing daily and weekly care and varying
your diet to make sure you're getting the nutrients you need.
Method 1
Caring for Your Nails

Image titled Help Your Nails Recover After Acrylics Step 1

1
Trim back weak nails to prevent breakage. If your nails feel weak after you
take off the acrylics, it's likely they will break, which can be painful and result
in jagged edges.[1] Cut your nails straight across with a pair of clean nail
clippers. Round off the corners so they're not sharp.[2]
You can also use manicure scissors to trim your nails.

2
File your nails in one direction only. Choose a fine-grit nail file, as it will be
kinder to your nails. Start from one outside edge on your nail and move across the
nail in that direction. Don't go back and forth, as that can ruin the edges of your
nails.[3]

To keep from overdoing it, place the edge of the file under the tip of your
nail so you can see what you're doing.
3
Buff your nails once a week. Remove oils from your nails first by rubbing acetone,
rubbing alcohol, or vinegar over them. Use small, circular motions to buff the tops
of your nails just until they're smooth. Don't go overboard, as you don't want to
remove too much of the nail.[4]

You can also try buffing in an "X" shape.

However, you don't want to do this too often, as it can remove some of your
nails' thickness over time.[5]

4
Keep your hands moisturized with hand creams. To create healthy nails, your hands
need to be hydrated. Apply hand cream or lotion at least twice a day, including
once before bedtime. Pick a heavy cream for night time for extra moisturizing
power.[6]

Try putting on lotion after every time you wash your hands.
Put on cotton gloves at night after applying lotion to help seal in the
moisture.[7]

5
Rub a cuticle oil with jojoba oil in it around your nails. Keeping your cuticles
moisturized will support your nails and help them stay moisturized and healthy,
too. Apply cuticle oil around your nails at least once a day. At night is best so
that you can leave it on while you sleep.[8]

Put it on after you apply your lotion or hand cream.

6
Try a nail hardener to protect your nails. If your nails are weak and brittle,
a nail hardener may provide enough support to allow them to grow back properly.
Simply paint on a coating of nail hardener like you would nail polish, moving from
the nail bed up to the tip of the nail. Allow the hardener to dry and re-apply as
needed.[9]
You can find nail hardeners at most drugstores and big box stores. They may
also be labeled as "nail strengtheners."
Some people find nail hardeners work a little too well, making nails more
likely to break. If that's the case for you, try just wearing a clear base coat of
nail polish instead.[10]
7
Wait for your nails to grow back in. While you can't completely heal the damage
down by acrylics, your nails will eventually regrow. They will typically come back
in strong and healthy as long as you are paying attention to nail care and eating a
healthy, well-balanced diet.[11]

Method 2
Eating the Right Nutrients

1
Get biotin in your diet from things like eggs, meat, and avocados. Biotin is
important for healthy nails, skin, and hair, and it may improve the health of your
nails after they've been damaged by acrylics. Most meats are a good source of
biotin, including fish. You can also eat nuts, sweet potatoes, spinach, and
broccoli to get enough biotin.[12]
If you're over 18, aim for 30 micrograms of biotin a day. A single egg
contains 10 micrograms of biotin, while a pork chop or hamburger patty has 3.8
micrograms and 3 oz (85 g) of salmon has 5 micrograms.
With nuts and seeds, 1 ounce (28 g) of sunflower seeds has 2.6 micrograms
while the same amount of almonds has 1.5 micrograms.
If you feel like you're not getting enough biotin in your diet, ask your
doctor if a supplement is a good idea for you.[13] Typically, a 2.5-milligram
supplement is helpful.[14] While this is much higher than the daily recommended
amount, you can consume as much as 50 milligrams a day without problems.
2
Take a daily 10-milligram silicon supplement. Silicon can help repair your
nails if they've become brittle after wearing acrylics. Look for one with choline-
stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) and take it daily for at least 4 months.[15]
Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
If you don't want to take a supplement, beer is one of the best natural
sources of silicon. A single beer has 10 milligrams of silicon, so you can also get
this nutrient that way. Always consume drinks in moderation, though.[16]
3
Ensure you're getting enough protein in your diet.[17] To determine how much
protein you need in a day, multiply your weight in pounds by 0.36 grams or your
weight in kilograms by 0.8 grams. You can also use an online protein calculator.
[18]
For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, multiply that by 0.36 grams to get
54 grams of protein. If you weigh 90 kilograms, multiply that by 0.8 grams to get
72 grams of protein.
As a guide, a serving of tuna, salmon, or haddock the size of a deck of
cards has 21 grams of protein while the same serving of turkey or chicken has 19
grams.
A single egg has 6 grams of protein, while 0.5 cups (81 grams) of cottage
cheese has 14 grams and the same serving of cooked beans has 8 grams.
4
Eat iron-rich foods such as red meat, leafy greens, and beans. An iron
deficiency can lead to problems with your nails and hair, so make sure you are
getting enough in your diet. Women who are 19-50 need 18 milligrams of iron a day,
while all other adults need 8 milligrams.[19]
Fortified breakfast cereals are one of the best sources of iron, as they
contain 18 milligrams per serving. A serving of oysters 3 ounces (85 g) or 1 cup
(179 grams) of white beans both contain 8 milligrams of iron. Other good sources
include dark chocolate, spinach, lentils, meat, and beans.
Talk to your doctor if you think you may have an iron deficiency, typically
classified by fatigue, cold extremities, lightheadedness, shortness of breath,
weakness, and brittle nails.[20]
5
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, seeds, and nuts. Many
vitamins and minerals support good nail health, so aim for a variety of foods in
your diet. Eat a wide spectrum of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains
like whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, and buckwheat.[21]
Aim for a variety of beans, seeds, and nuts as well!

Method 3
Using Acrylics Appropriately

1
Ask a professional to remove your acrylics. Because acrylics require filing
off, it's best down by a professional. They will cut off the tips, then mostly file
the acrylic off of your nails. After that, they will soak your nails in acetone to
completely remove the polish.[22]
Usually, they'll use a cuticle pusher to completely remove the acrylic at
the end.
2
Take breaks between acrylics. If you use acrylics continuously, your nails will
likely suffer. Go at least a week before applying your next set of acrylics to give
your nails time to strengthen again.[23]
 Alternatively, use fake nails on special occasions only.[24]
3
Opt for gels over acrylics to be kinder to your nails. If your nails have
suffered from acrylics, switch to gels for a while. Some gels can be completely
soaked off instead of filed down, making them less harsh on your nails.[25]
Also, gels bend more easily then acrylics, meaning they're less likely to
crack your nails.
4
Replace acrylics completely every 6 to 12 months. If you do leave your acrylics
on, you should completely replace them at least once a year. That's because air
pockets under acrylics can cause them to lift off, creating more damage to your
nails.[26]
Plus, removing them completely gives you a chance to provide extra care for
your nails.

Community Q&A

Question
Can a nail straightener be used after the acrylics?
Community Answer
Yes, you may choose to use a nail strengthener. However, only use it for a week
or two as the chemicals that initially strengthen the nail will actually begin to
weaken the nail if used too frequently.
Not Helpful 2
Helpful 16
Question
Why no polish for a week? Also, I have a spot with no nail! It looks like small
blister and is painful. What do I do?
Community Answer
The nail polish will make your nails even weaker so that why you shouldn't use
it. For the spot, clean it with soap and water then use some polysporin and cover
with a bandaid. If it doesn't improve within 24 hours, see your pharmacist or
doctor.
Not Helpful 4
Helpful 21
Question
Can I take my nails off with a credit card or a Metrocard? I've seen people do
this, but will it damage my nails?
Community Answer
Don't do that. It will 100% damage your nails, and might even rip them off.
Just put some nail polish remover in a bowl or cup and soak your hands in it for 5-
10 minutes. They should fall right off.
Not Helpful 5
Helpful 13
Question
For 3 years, I have been trying to get my nails to recover. I have tried Sally
Hansen products, Hair, Nails & Skin vitamins and other things. What else can I do
to get them to recover?
Community Answer
Try biotin. Take calcium along with the biotin. Also, you might want to get a
professional manicure at least once a month. Your nails will be buffed out and
smoothed, as well as shaped. Getting a manicure helps the nail grow healthier.
Not Helpful 13
Helpful 16
Question
I have nail glue stuck on my nails, and I don't know what to do. I have tried
nail polish remover, but it's still stuck, what should I do?
Community Answer
You may have to file it off with an emery board.
 Not Helpful 7
Helpful 9
Question
Is there any type of overlay that I can apply to my own nails instead of
acrylics? I have had acrylics for 7 years and want my own nails.
Community Answer
You can try growing your nails and then applying normal nail polish or decorate
them the way the way you feel is comfortable. You can also buy over the counter
nail strengtheners if you think that the nails are too weak on their own.
Not Helpful 3
Helpful 4
Question
I thought nail polish would make the nails stronger and add more layers?
Community Answer
It depends on the nail polish, but generally, the chemicals in nail polish are
more likely to weaken your nails than to strengthen them.
Not Helpful 6
Helpful 6
Question
How do I make my nails strong and grow quickly.?
Sydneyjane16
Community Answer
There is no "quick fix," but taking biotin pills for hair, nails and skin will
make them healthier.
Not Helpful 1
Helpful 2
Question
How do I stop my nails from being in pain after removing acrylics?
Community Answer
Try removing the acrylic by taking an acetone-soaked cotton ball to your nail,
then putting tin foil over it. Leave this on for about 30 minutes. If the acrylics
aren't completely dissolved and you can peel them off, resoak the cotton balls with
acetone and repeat for about 20 minutes. Be sure to apply some sort of moisturizer
before and after this process.
Not Helpful 14
Helpful 4
Question
My nails were badly damaged after acrylics; they are a lot stronger now that
it's been 9 weeks. Can I now put nail polish on?
Cecilia Flores
Top Answerer
Yes you can! Just remember to use a good base coat, and if you have color
staining on your nail, leave it be and just paint over it. Never bleach or whiten
your nails because it weakens them.
Not Helpful 2
Helpful 1

Show more answers

Unanswered Questions

What's the best way to protect my weak and thin nails after ripping off acrylic
nails?
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What should I do if I removed my acrylics and my nails are breaking and peeling
weeks later?
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Can I use nail polish with natural oil to help my nails recover after acrylics?
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Video
Tips

Keep your nails short until they have regrown.

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References

↑ https://www.essence.com/beauty/post-acrylic-nail-rehab-tips/
↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-
20044954
↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/best-nail-tips-how-to-grow-out-your-nails
↑ https://www.marthastewartweddings.com/600455/how-to-buff-nails-for-wedding
↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/best-nail-tips-how-to-grow-out-your-nails
↑ https://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/745221-healthy-nails/
↑ https://www.self.com/gallery/how-to-strengthen-nails-after-gel
↑ https://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/745221-healthy-nails/
↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-
20044954

Show more... (17)

Article Info

FEATURED ARTICLE

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who
validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information
from 26 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work
from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

Categories: Featured Articles | Acrylic Nails

In other languages:

Español: ayudar a tus uñas a recuperarse tras usar acrílico, Italiano: Aiutare le
Unghie a Ristrutturarsi dopo l’Acrilico, Русский: помочь ногтям восстановиться
после акрила, Deutsch: Nagelpflege nach Entfernung von Acrylnägeln, Nederlands: Je
nagels laten herstellen na het verwijderen van acrylnagels

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Tested By:
wikiHow Video Team
Co-authors: 33
Updated: October 25, 2019
Views: 395,792
80% of readers found this article helpful.
17 votes - 80%
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KY

Kathy Young

Jun 6, 2016
"No polish for a week and keep them trimmed short until they strengthen, so they
don't peel and tear - good..." more
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Related Articles

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Remove Acrylic Nails

How to
Do Acrylic Nails

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