We all love beautifully manicured nails and how they serve as a unique form of self-expression. It’d be awesome if they could last forever, but all nails will inevitably get damaged. So, if you’re wondering what to do if your gel nails are chip or crack, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll cover the common causes of nail damage, the repair process, and measures you can take to protect your nails.
The most common culprit of nail damage are long nails. While long nails are beautiful, they can become burdensome during everyday activities like opening cans or carrying heavy loads, often leading to cracks or chips.
It’s also important to note that household cleaners used during chores can also negatively affect the natural nail’s health. Take care to minimize exposure to these chemicals by wearing gloves whenever possible.
Cleaning the Damaged Area: Initially, the chipped or cracked area must be cleaned to remove debris and dirt. (You don’t want any of that stuff in your nails whether you’re repairing them or not.)
Base Gel: After cleaning, a base gel is applied. This serves to strengthen the nail and acts as a primer for the new color gel.
Color Correction: The original nail art color is matched and repainted. This is especially important for nails with complex designs or artwork.
Top Gel: Finally, a top gel is applied to give a glossy, protected finish. This step helps the repair blend seamlessly and enhances protection from external elements.
This process is super similar to a car scratch repair, and requires a high level of precision and meticulousness.
If the crack in the nail is large, we also recommend cutting it short. If you want to keep the length, we can use Gel-X for lengthening afterwards or add fiber gel to the above method to add strength to the nails.
For gel nails with complex designs or nail art, repairs can be particularly challenging. For example, nails with geometric patterns or painted images require that the repaired area perfectly matches the rest of the nail. This demands precise color matching and detailed adjustments, testing the skills of the nail technician.
To ensure the longevity of your gel nails, everyday preventative measures are essential. We usually advise our customers to wear gloves while doing household chores, pay attention during physically demanding activities, and receive regular maintenance at a nail salon.
If your nails are chipped, cracked or lifted, avoid pulling on them and try to touch them as little as possible. Applying a band-aid over the area can help prevent further damage. But in any case, it’s important to consult a professional for treatment as soon as possible.
Maintaining gel nails and their beauty requires proper care and timely repair. Professional and detailed repairs are a critical investment in keeping your nails beautiful for a long time.
If you notice any issues with your nails, do not hesitate to consult with us at J Flow Nail. Our experienced nail technicians will provide top-notch service and careful repairs to bring your gel nails back to their beautiful state.