4 Nail Pros Share Their Tips for Repairing Damaged Nails Fast

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

First impressions are important. When you meet someone new for the first time, it’s might be instinctive to make eye contact, smile, and shake hands. Hopefully, you encounter a firm handshake—although etiquette practices vary widely by country—and aren’t grazed by a gnarly set of nails, an open wound, or jagged cuticle, but hey, it happens. No matter which side of the handshake you’re on, odds are if it’s a rough one, you leave the encounter with a strong desire to head to your nearest nail salon.

But wait—this might not be the best course of action. In fact, it’s possible that too many manicures might be the source of damaged nails in the first place. So instead of masking any unsightly or uncomfortable nail deficiencies with a sleek coat of lacquer, take a moment to pause and reflect on how to fix the problem, not just cover it up. 

Unfortunately, there are a ton of ways nails can become damaged. Whether it’s from overuse of gel or acrylic nail techniques, vitamin deficiencies, direct injuries to the nail bed, or seasonal skincare concerns, it’s actually pretty easy for nails to fall into states of disrepair.

Fortunately, there are also several simple ways to get your nails back into tip-top shape, and who better to advise us on these tactics than professionals who deal with nail concerns every day? We reached out to editorial manicurist Jin Soon Choi, Olive and June founder and CEO Sarah Gibson Tuttle, celebrity crystal manicurist Mazz Hanna, and Varnish Lane co-founder Lauren Dunne to get the best tips, tricks, and treatments for repairing damaged nails.

1. Remove Nail Polish

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(Image credit: @TheHangEdit)

So your nails are officially damaged—now what? First, completely remove whatever is currently on your nails. If that’s regular nail polish, you can DIY with your go-to remover and cotton balls. If you have gel or acrylics, it’s time to make an appointment with a professional. "Proper removal won’t damage your nails—it just takes patience,” says Tuttle. "Definitely avoid picking your gels off because that will hurt your nails and cause further damage.”

If you're sporting an old set of acrylics, filing off parts before soaking is not a bad idea, according to Choi. "Some technicians use an electronic file to remove it, which is fast but should be done carefully to avoid filing the real nail off," she counsels. But don't try this at home.

2. Use a Cuticle-Care Product

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(Image credit: @varnishlane)

While you might be tempted to apply a fresh coat of paint, all of our experts strongly advise against it. Commit to going bare and giving your hands some TLC. "I know people don’t like to hear it, but the more time off from gels and acrylics, the better the health of your nails,” says Choi. Use this as an opportunity to focus on cuticle care—seriously. All of our experts agree that applying a daily cuticle serum will help your nails bounce back stronger than ever.

3. Use Strengthening Products That Help Nails Regrow

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

Depending on how damaged your nails are, it can take up to three months to completely grow them out. Once you’ve given your nail beds enough breathing room, avoid further damage to areas that are still sensitive by using nontoxic protecting and strengthening products.

4. Take Supplements That Revitalize Nail Health

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

Sometimes, the issues that cause damaged nails are more than skin-deep. Fortunately, the rise in the wellness industry has helped people to become more informed about the vitamins, minerals, and supplements essential to their health. While each of the below products was recommended by our panel of experts, it’s important to always check with your doctor before adding something new to your personal regimen.

Bonus Tips & Tricks

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

Once your nails are on the mend, it's important not to go back to your old ways. Give your hands the TLC they deserve with these tried-and-true tactics straight from our team of experts. 

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated. 

Drew Elovitz
Director of Content Strategy

Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously at Who What Wear as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.