Nail care between appointments: keep them looking fresh

A fresh set of nails looks best on day one. A few small habits keep it that way for longer, and keep the nails underneath healthy for the next appointment.

Every day

• Oil your cuticles. A drop of cuticle oil, rubbed in at night, keeps the skin soft and stops hangnails.
• Moisturise your hands after washing them, and work a little into the nails too.
• Wear gloves for washing up and cleaning. Hot water and cleaning products are hard on polish and skin.
• Use your fingertips, not your nails, to open cans, peel labels and scrape things off.

If something chips or lifts

Resist the urge to pick. Peeling off gel or lifting acrylic usually takes a layer of your own nail with it, leaving it thin and weak. If an edge catches, file it smooth, one direction only, and book a repair or removal.

Taking gel and acrylics off

Gel and acrylics are best removed at the salon, where they can be soaked or filed off without damaging the nail. Many nail studios list removal as its own service, or as part of a new set, so check the menu when you book.

How often to go back

It depends on what you have done and how fast your nails grow. As a rough guide, many people find gel lasts two to three weeks before it grows out or starts to lift. Ask your nail technician what they suggest for your nails.

Good to know: Many salons sell the cuticle oils and hand creams they use. On Saloonly you can order them from the salon’s Shop and collect and pay at the counter.

Booking the next set

When you book, each nail service shows its price and how long it takes. If you need your old gel taken off and a new set put on, pick both, so the salon holds enough time for the two. If you want a particular design, mention it in the note, or bring a photo.

Give your nails a break

If your nails feel thin, bendy or sore, a few weeks of short, bare nails with a nourishing treatment can help. Your nail technician can tell you whether a break is worth it.

When to see someone else

Redness, swelling, pain around the nail, or a nail that changes colour or lifts away from the bed are worth showing to a doctor rather than covering with polish. A good nail technician will tell you the same and wait until it has cleared.

This is general guidance. Your nail technician, or a doctor for anything that looks like an infection, knows best.