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If you get your nails done at a salon, then reading this is a must. Getting manicures done is a special occasion splurge, but what happens after the manicure? To maintain the integrity of your natural nail, there are some precautions and safety tips to be aware of.

Via: Unsplash

Chips and cracks in a manicure aren’t just visually unappealing, they are also unsafe and can lead to more severe problems. Just like paint peeling or bubbling away from a wall, manicures are also affected by heat and moisture. Every time you wash your hands, water can get in between the nail and manicure, which can lead to molding or rot. Mold creates a spongy nail bed that will take months to heal.

Via: Flickr

Salon manicures – powders, gels, and acrylics – may be sturdier, but once a manicure breaks, mold can grow in that exposed space. What’s worse is that these sturdier manicures are harder to remove, so as you hold off getting an appointment, the health of your nails can deteriorate very fast.

Via: Flickr

After getting a salon manicure, use these two tips to keep your nail beds safe. 1) When washing dishes use gloves. 2) To waterproof your manicure, rub the skin around your manicure with cuticle oil, the oil will create a natural barrier between the manicure and the water.

What to do if you have a chip in your manicure? If the chip is on the edge or tip of a nail, dry off the area then apply a bit of nail polish to seal the manicure from water exposure.

Via: Unsplash

If the crack is big, opt to go back to the nail salon and have the nail fixed. The repair may cost a few dollars, but it’s worth saving the health of your fingernail. If you need to remove a salon manicure nail you can do this simple DIY removal. Cut a square piece of tin foil and soak a cotton ball with acetone nail polish remover. Next, place the cotton ball on the broken manicure nail, and with the shiny side facing towards the skin, wrap the tin foil closed. Depending on the manicure, it may take one or two 15-minute tries to completely remove the broken manicure. Having a cuticle pusher gently separate the broken manicure from the nail will help.

Follow these tips and you’ll see that you save the health and look of your nails!

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