How Often Should You Get A New Set Of Gel Nails?
Getting a fresh set of gel manicure is one of life’s simple pleasures. With gel polish that dries quickly under UV light and lasts for weeks without chipping, it’s no wonder gel manicures have become so popular. But how often should you really get them redone?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: You should get a new set of gel nails every 2-3 weeks on average. Getting fills more frequently than every 2 weeks risks damage to the natural nail.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at all the factors that go into deciding your ideal gel manicure schedule. We’ll cover how gel nail chemistry, nail growth rate, and lifestyle affect longevity as well as tips from manicurists on maximizing the life of your manicure.
How Long Do Gel Nails Last?
On average, a fresh set of gel nail polish can last between 2-3 weeks without chipping or lifting. However, there are several factors that impact the wear time of gel manicures, both shortening and extending their duration.
On Average
Gel nail polish, when applied properly by a professional technician, lasts about 14-21 days on natural nails before needing to be filled. The longevity of gel nails comes from the UV light used to cure each layer of polish, creating an incredibly hard, protective finish that resists chipping and peeling.
Factors That Shorten Wear Time
- Excessive use of hands – Frequent washing, cleaning, typing etc. can cause lifting and peeling around the edges.
- Nail biting and picking – This damages the gel polish layers.
- Using nails as tools – Opening cans, prying things etc. cracks and lifts the polish.
- Not getting fill ins – New growth at nail base lifts the gel polish.
- Failure to properly prep nails – Lack of dehydration and pH balancing leads to poor adhesion.
Factors That Lengthen Wear Time
Properly prepping nails and maintaining gel manicures with timely fill-ins can extend the life of a gel set. Additional things that support longevity include:
- Using nail oil daily
- Always wearing gloves for household cleaning, gardening etc.
- Avoiding excessive water exposure
- Gently filing nails instead of clipping
- Using cuticle cream to avoid lifting and hangnails
With consistent professional application and proper at-home care between fills, many clients enjoy 4+ weeks of chip and peel-free wear time. Consult with your nail technician to get their expert tips on maximizing longevity!
Signs It’s Time For a New Set
Growth at Cuticle Area
As your natural nails grow out, you may begin to see a gap forming between your cuticle area and the gel polish. This can happen within 2-3 weeks after your last fill. The gap allows dirt, debris, and bacteria to get underneath the gel polish, which can lead to infection.
When you see a sizable gap, it’s time to go back to the salon for a new set.
Chipping at Free Edge
Chipping commonly occurs when the free edge of the nail hits against hard objects. While a chip here and there is normal, significant or recurring chipping means your gel manicure is past its prime. As the gel polish gets older, it loses adhesion and becomes more prone to cracks and fractures.
Getting a fresh set will restore the strength and durability of the manicure.
Lifting Near Cuticles
Lifting describes when the gel polish begins to separate and peel back from the natural nail, usually starting near the cuticles. This happens when the nail plate expands and contracts normally throughout the day, slowly breaking the bond between the gel and natural nail.
Frequent lifting means it’s time to remove the worn gel polish and start over with a new, long-lasting set.
Discoloration
Though gel polish is known for its glossy shine, discoloration and yellowing can happen after 3-4 weeks as the color fades over time. Oils from the nail bed also seep through and cause dullness and darkening. Getting a fresh set will revive the vibrancy of the shades.
Salons recommend getting fills every 2-3 weeks to maintain the beauty of gel manicures.
How Long Should You Wait Between Gel Manicures?
Every 2-3 Weeks
The ideal time to get gel manicure refills is every 2 to 3 weeks. Gel polish is designed to last around this long on natural nails before starting to grow out or lift at the edges. Going 2 to 3 weeks between appointments allows the nail tech to fill in the new nail growth and refresh the manicure so it continues to look pristine.
Getting gel refills any sooner than 2 weeks is not recommended. Nails need time to breathe and recover between polishes. Filling them too soon can lead to damage over time. Aim for 14 to 21 days between appointments for the healthiest natural nails.
Don’t Go Longer Than 3 Weeks
While gel manicures can last up to 3 weeks on most people, it’s best not to push it too long. Letting gels go longer than 21 days allows product lifting, cracks, and chips to set in. Not only does this look unsightly, but attempting to fill and repair a very overgrown manicure can damage the natural nails.
The new nail growth around the cuticle area also gets considerably longer after 3 weeks. This can make filling in and reshaping quite difficult and tedious. It typically requires filing off the product and doing a full new set. Going longer than 3 weeks between fills defeats the purpose of gels.
At Least 2 Weeks Between Fills
No matter how quickly your nails seem to grow, it’s imperative to wait at least 2 full weeks between gel fill appointments. Believe it or not, nails still need recovery time even with gel polish. Filling them too frequently doesn’t allow the natural nail to breathe and rehydrate.
Skipping that crucial breathing period can lead to a multitude of issues like dryness, brittleness, cracking, and fungal infections in the nail bed. It also increases risks of filing down and thinning out the nails over time with over-filling.
Give those nails 14 days break between polish to maintain strength and integrity.
Tips to Make Your Gel Manicure Last
Proper Prep
Preparation is key for getting your gel manicure to last. Before applying the gel polish, make sure to push back and trim your cuticles. This removes any dead skin that could allow lifting. Lightly buff your nails to remove shine and smooth ridges.
Apply a dehydrator and primer, which will help the gel adhere properly. Skipping any of these steps can lead to chips and peeling.
Don’t Pick at Your Polish
This is one of the biggest mistakes when it comes to premature gel polish wear. As tempting as it is, avoid poking, peeling, or picking at your manicure. This weakens the layers of product and causes chips and cracks. If you notice lifting at the edges, don’t peel it off.
Just wait until your next fill appointment for removal. Fidget toys like stress balls can help curb the urge to pick.
Use Cuticle Oil
Keep cuticles conditioned with oil to avoid cracking and lifting. Massage a drop of cuticle oil like jojoba or vitamin E into each nail bed 1-2 times per day. This nourishes the skin and helps adhesion. Bonus tip: apply before bed so the oil can penetrate overnight.
The Sally Beauty Cuticle Oil Pen makes application easy.
Wear Gloves for Wet Work
Water and moisture are enemies of a long-lasting manicure. When washing dishes, cleaning, or performing other wet tasks, protect your gel polish by wearing rubber gloves. This prevents the layers from absorbing water and weakening.
Bonus perk: gloves keep hands soft by minimizing drying soap and chemical exposure. Vinyl gloves sold at drugstores work perfectly.
Fill Small Chips Promptly
Don’t wait until your whole gel manicure is destroyed to get a fill. At the first sign of tip wear or minor chips, book a gel polish fill appointment. Your manicurist will buff away the damaged areas and apply fresh gel only where needed.
Getting frequent touch-ups can prolong the life of your color by weeks. Many salons offer quick 15-minute fill services between full sets.
When to Remove Gel Polish
Before Reapplying Gel
It is recommended by most professional manicurists to remove gel polish every 2-3 weeks before reapplication. The natural nails underneath need to breathe, and leaving gel polish on too long can cause damage.
According to an article on The Zoe Report, the chemicals in gel polish can weaken the nail beds, cause discoloration, and increase the chance of infections if left on for over 3 weeks.
Many salons will offer gel removal services for around $5 or cheaper, usually with a purchase. At home removals can be done with acetone, foil, small bowls, and a lot of elbow grease. Buffer the surface of the gel nails first to roughen, then apply acetone.
Wrap each finger in foil after acetone has soaked in for 10 minutes. Check back every 5-10 minutes until gel lifts off the nail into a crinkly sheet. While time consuming, doing it yourself saves money and allows for reapplication on your own timeline.
For Damaged Nails
Always keep a lookout for signs your nails are getting damaged under gel polish. Cracking, extreme brittleness, discoloration, or extreme thickening and separation from the nail bed can point to fungal infections or chemical damage.
If you notice any of these warning signs of nail damage, book an appointment to see a doctor or your manicurist immediately. Be sure to ask them to remove the gel polish as soon as possible. Continuing to wear damaging gel can lead to nail loss.
Dried out and hardened gel is especially abrasive to sensitive, damaged nail beds. Give your nails a rest period with no top coat or product for 2-3 weeks, and consider going back to regular polish. According to professionals, damaged nails can take up to 6 months to fully heal.
For Special Occasions
Just because your gel polish isn’t due to be removed for a couple more weeks, that shouldn’t stop you from scheduling something new for a special occasion. Getting a fresh set helps complete any event outfit.
From French tips for a bridal shower to bold jewel tones for a holiday party to classic colors for a job interview, nails always make a statement.
Even if you plan to get gels reapplied at the salon, you’ll still need to get your current manicure removed first. Most manicurists recommend doing this a day or two before your appointment. This gives your natural nails a chance to rehydrate and allows the nail professionals to best prepare your nails’ surface for a flawless gel application or new manicure.
Conclusion
While most gel manicures last 2-3 weeks on average, many factors like your nail growth rate and activity level can shorten or extend that timeframe. Pay attention to signs your manicure needs freshening up like growth at the cuticles or chips and lifts in the polish.
Aim to get fills every 2-3 weeks and full sets every 3-4 weeks to maintain healthy nails.
With proper application and care, you can safely extend the life of your gel polish and keep your tips looking fabulous. Just be sure to coordinate with your manicurist on the ideal timeline for your individual nail needs.
