Following within the footsteps of “clear woman” make-up and “quiet luxurious” vogue, pure nails are actually having a second. In fact, polish will at all times be common, however there’s been a famous cultural shift towards easy manicures currently, with an emphasis on naked, wholesome nails. “Magnificence traits are inclined to cycle between phases of maximalism and minimalism. We’re presently in a second of minimalism,” movie star nail artist Sonya Belakhlef tells SELF, including that rather a lot persons are additionally uninterested in the maintenance (learn: common salon appointments) required to keep up intricate nail seems to be.

That’s all fantastic and dandy–until years of being a loyal gel- or acrylics-wearer have left your nails in want of some critical TLC. To be honest, it’s not that these kinds of manicures are damaging in their very own proper. Moderately, the removing course of is public enemy primary. “Folks get impatient and find yourself ripping or peeling off gel polish or acrylics,” Belakhlef says—a assured strategy to trigger critical injury. Even skilled removing, if completed incorrectly and with overly zealous submitting or scraping, can wreak havoc: Your nails are form of like a puff pastry, made up of a number of layers that raise and flake off after they’re assaulted on this approach, they clarify.

All the above can depart your ideas trying, in a phrase, tough. “This sort of injury sometimes ends in floor irregularities like bumps and grooves, in addition to peeling, splitting, and breakage,” Dana Stern, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis and the founding father of nail care firm Dr. Dana, tells SELF.

However don’t attain for the polish in disgrace: There may be hope. When you’re able to rehab your nails and check out a fantastically naked mani, you’ve come to the correct place. Right here, we compiled a complete record of expert-backed recommendation for whipping your ideas into tip-top form—so you may absolutely decide to your pure nail journey.

1. Begin with a clear slate.

On the threat of sounding obnoxiously apparent, ensure your nails are fully naked and freed from any enhancements or polish. Then, lower them. Whereas it could be upsetting to lose the size, in case your nails are flaky and weak, likelihood is they’re simply going to finish up breaking anyway; spare your self the heartache and lower them down quick now, Belakhlef advises.

Then, file them into your required form, however accomplish that rigorously: Sawing away at broken nails with a too-rough file can additional exacerbate peeling and splitting, nail artist Aaliyah Smith tells SELF. She advises utilizing a file that’s not less than 180 grit (the decrease the quantity, the coarser the feel). One to attempt: the Gelish 180 Grit File. Alternately, Dr. Stern recommends a glass instrument just like the Londontown Glass Nail File, which gained’t trigger microscopic splits and tears alongside the sting of the nail—and can depart you with tremendous easy outcomes. Even so, it’s a good suggestion to file not more than as soon as per week.

2. Think about exfoliating (sure, your nails).

File this one below ‘Who would’ve thought?’ “It may be useful to exfoliate, then moisturize. It’s an idea we’re accustomed to in skincare nevertheless it’s fully relevant to nails, too,” Dr. Stern says. “You need to take away the superficial injury with the intention to extra successfully deal with and hydrate.”.