Before the Covid-19 chaos started, monthly nail appointments used to be at the top of many priority lists. But now, being stuck at home, your once beautiful nail extensions are looking dull and grown-out. What to do?
We asked the nail experts at Placecol for a bit of advice.
Here’s a step-by-step maintenance plan for nail extensions:
1. File and buff
Start by filing or buffing down the length of their nails to maintain the balance of the extensions.
2. Check your cuticle area
Buff the nail around the cuticle area to keep the product flush with their natural nail.
3. Assess the damage
If you find that a simple file or buff won’t do the trick and your nails are not repairable, it should be soaked off with acetone.
4. To soak off
You will need two bowls, one with acetone and the other with hot water. Submerge the bowl with acetone into the bowl of hot water to help heat the acetone a little. Before submerging your hands in the acetone, make sure to buff the gel on the surface of the nail to open up the product for easy removal. Soak your hands in the acetone solution for 20min (An easy tip is to soak in front of the TV – the 20 minutes will go by in a wink).
5. Scrape off the excess product
Using a cuticle stick, make sure to scrape off the excess product before lightly buffing the balance off.
6. Keep it short
It’s best to keep natural nails short to avoid unnecessary breakage in between appointments at the salon.
7. Take care of your nails
Apply a nail strengthener and rub cuticle oil into your cuticles every night. It’s best to keep your nails painted to give your nails a bit of extra strength. This will prevent you from picking at them. Make sure to use a nail strengthening top-coat or apply two coats of top-coat.
