Your nails are one of the first things people notice about you. They can say a lot about your personality and style.
Having well-manicured and healthy nails can make you feel more confident and put together. But how often should you get your nails done? Keep on reading to discover the answer…
What are the benefits of having your nails done?
For many people, having their nails done is a way to relax and pamper themselves. When you get a manicure and pedicure, it can be a luxurious experience that helps them to feel refreshed and rejuvenated, especially when they’re done every so often.
As well as providing a moment of relaxation, getting manicures can also be beneficial for your health.
Manicures and pedicures help to exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, and stimulate blood circulation. They can help to prevent nail problems such as ingrown nails and fungus infections.
What are the different types of manicure available?
Common types of manicure include a classic or traditional manicure, spa manicure, French manicure, gel nail polish manicure, acrylic nail extensions and shellac manicures.
A classic or traditional manicure entails filing the nails into shape and then buffing them to provide shine, followed by the application of cuticle oil for moisture retention. It generally consists of several coats of nail enamel in whatever color you prefer with a clear topcoat.
A spa manicure incorporates all the steps of a traditional one but adds a pampering touch such as massage lotions, aromatherapy oils and exfoliation treatments for softer skin around your fingernails.
French manicures feature white tips with natural-colored nails resulting in a clean look. It is created by painting the base color over the entire nail surface before adding two strips of white polish at each end which is then finished off with topcoat gloss or shimmer finish depending on your desired result.
Gel polish is applied directly onto the natural nail where it adheres and hardens under UV light set time resulting in intense shine with long lasting effects sometimes up to three weeks or more on average when properly cared for.
Acrylics are fake nails created using liquid monomer which when combined with powdered polymer forms a pliable plastic material that adheres perfectly to natural nails giving them an extended length if desired along with strength and durability against breakage as well as creating dramatic effects not achievable with regular lacquers alone such as glitter accents etc.
Shellac is another type of long lasting polish that requires no drying time between steps since curing happens under UV lights just like gel polishes do but require shorter soak times before removal making them more convenient than Gels overall yet offering similar results in terms clarity and vibrancy colors when done properly.
Solar nails are similar to acrylics but made with a special powder that is exposed to natural sunlight in order to harden and set into place. They provide strength and durability as well as added length if desired while still maintaining a natural look.
What will happen if you don’t have a regular manicure and pedicure?
Your nails are an vital part of your body that perform many functions. They protect the tips of your fingers and toes, help you to pick up small objects, and provide a surface for painting or applying nail polish.
However, nails can also be easily damaged by everyday activities. For instance, typing on a keyboard or opening a can of soup can cause your nails to break or chip.
Without regular manicures, these damage can quickly add up, leading to unhealthy and unattractive nails.
Dirt and bacteria can build up under your nails, which can lead to infection. As a result, it is recommended that we schedule regular manicures in order to maintain healthy and attractive nails.
How often should you get your nails done?
Getting your nails done can be a great way to relax and add some style to your look. But, it’s important to know how often you should get your nails done in order to keep them looking their best.
I would recommend getting a manicure or pedicure every two weeks. This is because the average person’s nails grow at an average rate of 0.1 millimeters per day, so if you wait longer than two weeks before visiting the salon again, then your nail beds will start showing beneath the polished tips of your nails; making them look untidy.
Also, during this time period that it would take for nail beds to be visible again, bacteria from dirt and oil can accumulate on the surface of our nails, causing skin breakouts and infections.
The two-week rule applies for those who prefer gel or acrylic polish as well – even though these polishes last longer than regular polish (upwards of three weeks), they still need occasional touch ups due to chipping or wear and tear on the edges.
Giving yourself an occasional break from gel/acrylic polishes is necessary as it allows your natural nails a chance to “breathe” underneath all that product build up that accumulates over time with these types of polishes – something which could further cause infection or discoloration if left unattended for too long.
How often should you get a toenails pedicure at the nail salon?
The answer varies from person to person, depending on their lifestyle and individual preferences, and your nail health. Most people should get pedicure appointments for their toenails every 4 to 6 weeks.
This ensures that the nail beds and surrounding skin stay clean and healthy. However, if you have a more active lifestyle, such as walking barefoot often or regularly engaging in strenuous sports, then you may want to get a pedicure on a more regular basis — every 2-3 weeks.
At each pedicure appointment, professional nail technicians will trim and shape your toenails, as well as massage your feet, and the bottom of your foot and apply a moisturizer.
It’s also a good idea to have a professional assess any signs of infection or be alert for developing health concerns.
After the session, you should immediately apply an antifungal topical medication and use foot powder to keep the skin dry. You can usually get a mani and get a pedi at the same appointment, if you book with your nail tech in advance.
How often should you get an acrylic manicure done?
Acrylic manicures can last anywhere from two to four weeks, when applied by a nail technician. However, it is usually a good idea to get them redone by your professional manicurist at the nail salon, every three weeks in order to maintain the best possible look.
Avoid activities that can damage your nails during this time, such as typing or opening cans – your nails are not tools.
How often should you get a gel manicure done?
Gel manicures are a popular way to achieve long-lasting, salon-quality nails at home.
The gel is applied like regular polish and then cured under a UV or LED light, creating a durable, high-gloss finish.
However, gel manicures can also be expensive and time-consuming to remove. So, how often should you get a gel manicure done?
Most experts recommend getting a gel nails maintained every two to three weeks. This gives your nails time to recover from the removal process and prevents the gel from damaging your nail beds.
Of course, you can always switch up your look by alternating between gel polish colors and regular polish nail colors.
Or, if you’re looking to give your nails a break, try one of the new long-lasting regular polishes on the market.
Regular polishes won’t give you the longevity of gel polish, but it’s kinder on the nails, and you can remove them with a nail polish remover.
How often should you get an acrylic nails manicure done?
The answer may vary depending on your lifestyle and the condition of your natural nails. If you have strong and healthy nails, you can probably get away with getting an acrylic nails manicure every 4-6 weeks.
However, if you have weak or brittle nails, you may need to get them done more frequently – possibly every 2-3 weeks.
If you use your hands a lot or participate in activities that could damage your nails, you may need to get them done more often.
How often should you do a DIY manicure at home?
Although there is no definitive answer, most experts recommend doing a DIY manicure at home every one to two weeks.
This allows enough time for your nails to grow out slightly, while still maintaining a polished look.
If you want healthy nails and cuticles, it’s recommended to apply cuticle oil and hand cream every single night.
The more you look after your nails / cuticles, the better your hands will look, and the longer your nail polish will last, as your nails are healthier.
How regularly do we need to give our nails a break from polish?
Many of us enjoy the look of polished nails, but we need to give our nails a break from time to time. Polish can prevent the nails from breathing and may cause them to become brittle and dry.
Ideally, we should allow our nails to go nude for at least one day between polish applications.
This will give the nails a chance to recover and will help to prevent any long-term damage. If you can’t bear to let your nails go bare, consider using a clear polish instead.
This will still give the nails a chance to breathe while providing a bit of protection. Whatever you do, make sure to take good care of your nails and give them the occasional break from polish, to allow your nails to breathe.
What happens to the cuticles if we don’t look after them?
The cuticles are the thin strip of skin that runs along the base of the fingernail. They serve an essential function in protecting the nails from infection and keeping them moisturized.
However, if the cuticles are not properly cared for, they can become dry and brittle, leading to cracking and peeling.
In extreme cases, this can result in the development of hangnails. To avoid these problems, keep the cuticles hydrated and free from debris.
Regularly applying a cuticle cream or oil will help to keep the skin supple and prevent hangnails from forming.
Pushing back the cuticles during manicures and pedicures will help to promote healthy nail growth.
What happens to our natural nails if we don’t look after them?
If we don’t take care of our natural nails, they can become dry, brittle and weak. This can lead to splitting, cracking and peeling, and may eventually result in the development of fungal infections.
To avoid these problems with the nail plate, keep the nails clean and trimmed, and to moisturize them regularly.
Wear gloves when doing household chores or working with harsh chemicals, so the nail plate isn’t damaged.
If we neglect our natural nails, when we apply nail polish over the top, the polish will chip and flake off within a matter of hours, so if you want your manicures to last, you need to look after your nails as much as you can.
What can affect the growth of our nails?
Our nails are made up of a tough protein called keratin, which is also found in our hair and skin.
Nails grow from the base of the nail bed, and the rate of growth is determined by a number of factors, including age, nutrition, and health.
For example, babies and young children have particularly fast-growing nails, while older adults often have slower-growing nails.
Poor nutrition can also lead to slow nail growth, as can certain health conditions, such as anemia or diabetes.
On the other hand, some medications, such as those used to treat psoriasis, can actually speed up nail growth. Our nails grow about 3 millimeters per month.
However, there is considerable variation from person to person. If you use cuticle oil and properly look after your nails, the nails will be more likely to grow faster.
How to prevent nails from becoming brittle, and improving nail health?
There are a number of things that can cause nails to become brittle, including exposure to cold weather, frequent contact with water, and using harsh chemicals.
To help prevent nails from becoming brittle, keep them clean and dry, and to moisturize them regularly.
Wear gloves when doing household chores or working with harsh chemicals, as it’s an easy way to damage your hands, nails and cuticles.
If you use nail polish regularly, you may also want to consider using a base coat and top coat. These will help to protect the nails from the harmful effects of the polish itself.
If you have brittle nails, you may want to avoid using acrylics or other fake nails. These can actually damage the natural nails, making them even more brittle.
Top manicure products to use within your beauty routine
There are a number of different manicure nail treatment products that you can use within your nail care routine to keep your nails looking their best.
You don’t have to spend a fortune, or a lot of time, just a basic manicure routine on a regular basis, will make a massive difference to your nails.
Cuticle cream or oil is a necessary product if you want to maintain healthy cuticles. This will help to keep the skin around the nails hydrated and prevent hangnails from forming.
A base coat and top coat are essential if you use nail polish regularly. These will help to protect the nails from the harmful effects of the polish and make your manicure last longer.
You may want to consider using a strengthening treatment, if you do have brittle fingernails. As this will help to fortify the nails and prevent them from breaking.
Summary
How often to get nails done? We all need to take care of our natural nails if we want them to look their best with beauty treatments.
This means keeping them clean, trimmed and moisturized, and wearing gloves when doing household chores or working with harsh chemicals.
Ensure you get regular manicures and pedicures to promote healthy nail growth. If we neglect our natural nails, they will become brittle and weak, and our manicures will not last.
Always ensure you use quality manicure products, such as cuticle cream, base coat, top coat, and strengthening treatment, to keep our nails looking their best.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!