Gel polish gives women's hands a well-groomed appearance, makes it possible to grow nails, lasts a long time and pleases with a variety of palettes. However, it can cause the appearance of an unhealthy shade of the nail plates. If your nails have turned yellow from the polish, a manicurist will tell you what to do and how to solve the problem.
When nails turn yellow from polish
Among the main reasons why fingernails turn yellow after removing gel polish, experts identify several:
- Applying a decorative coating without using a base layer. This technique allows you to save time and money on purchasing a base, but worsens the condition of your nails. Colored pigments penetrate deep into the nail plate, coloring it or giving it an unaesthetic shade.
- Using low-quality cosmetics. Cheap, low-quality varnishes contain harmful substances (nitrocellulose, formaldehyde) that negatively affect the appearance and health of nails.
- Abuse of decorative cosmetics and the use of aggressive manicure removers. Constant application of shellac does not allow the nail plates to rest, causes oxygen starvation of the tissues, a decrease in local immunity, the development of fungal infections and a change in the natural color of the nails.
- Using iodine to strengthen nails. Periodic use of baths with this pharmaceutical remedy is useful. But with frequent strengthening in this way, a chemical burn of the nail plates occurs.
Nails turn yellow from varnish and when malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs and systems occur. These may be chronic diseases of the liver, gallbladder and lymphatic system, hypo- and vitamin deficiency, lack of calcium and selenium in the body, endocrine disorders, decreased defenses due to prolonged use of antibiotics or a protracted illness.
Treatment
Treatment of nail burns from gel polish is very similar to the treatment of conventional onycholysis. Large-area onycholysis is treated by conservative removal of the exfoliated part of the nail, the use of local antiseptics, and removal of hyperkeratotic layers. The nail is restored with the help of long-term use of gelatin solutions of various concentrations, growth activators. When bacterial or fungal flora is attached, antibacterial and antimycotic drugs are additionally used. Patients with onycholysis are prescribed vitamins, iron and calcium supplements, and general restoratives. Contact with water, cosmetic varnishes and household chemicals is contraindicated.
Our clinic has accumulated vast experience in treating burns from gel polish and other types of nail dystrophy.
Contact us, we will be happy to help you! You can make an appointment at the clinic with a doctor in person or online by phone
Traditional methods
To whiten yellow fingernails, you can use folk methods and available means at hand:
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%). Make a paste from 2 tsp. baking soda and a small amount of peroxide. Apply the resulting product to the nail plates, leave for 3-5 minutes and rinse.
- Lemon. Moisten a cotton or gauze swab with freshly squeezed lemon juice and wipe the nail plates with it. The second option for using the product is baths prepared from 0.5 liters of warm water and lemon juice squeezed from half a lemon. Another way is to cut a lemon in half, stick your fingers into it and hold for 5-10 minutes. After the procedure, the citrus can not be thrown away, but used for the next whitening session.
- Table or sea salt. Stir 1 tbsp in a glass of warm water. l. salt, dip your fingers into the solution and hold for 15-25 minutes. To enhance the whitening effect, it is useful to add 1 tbsp. l. apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, a few drops of essential oil (sandalwood or tea tree, bergamot, olive, grapefruit).
- Toothpaste. Any white paste (without dyes, colored stripes or spirals) can be used as a gentle abrasive. It needs to be squeezed onto the nail plates and distributed in a thin layer over the entire surface, rubbed with a brush for 3-5 minutes, then wash your hands with warm water. Instead of toothpaste, you can use a mixture of tooth powder, baking soda and a few drops of water.
- Oil. If your nails turn yellow, castor oil will come to the rescue. It needs to be rubbed into the plates at least 2 times a day for 1-2 weeks. A positive result will appear faster if you use a mixture of jojoba oil, ylang-ylang and lemon juice.
- Cranberry. Mash fresh or thawed cranberries with a fork until smooth. Apply the mixture to the surface of the nails and leave for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the whitening procedure until the yellowness disappears completely. Alternatively, you can use freshly prepared cranberry juice, red currants or fresh pineapple pulp.
- Pharmaceutical camomile. 2 tbsp. l. Pour boiling water (250 ml) over dried flowers and leave for 30 minutes. Add warm water and increase the volume of liquid to 500 ml, dip your fingers in the bath and wait 10-15 minutes. Repeat the procedure every 2 days.
- Polishing. Yellow nails, if they are not too thin, can be lightened mechanically by removing the top layer of the plate with a fine-abrasive manicure file and polishing with a buff. However, such manipulation is allowed to be done no more than once a month.
Recipes can be modified by adding certain ingredients. For baths or lotions to help, the product must contain a weak acid (lemon, vinegar), a disinfectant (chamomile), a strengthener (salt) and a softening component (baking soda, essential, cosmetic or vegetable oil).
After washing off any bleaching agent, your hands should be lubricated with a moisturizing or nourishing cream, evenly distributing it over the skin and nail plates.
Yellow nails: how to whiten at home?
If you are sure that the color change is not caused by a serious disease, then you can try to get rid of yellowness using improvised methods. Home whitening will return your hands to a well-groomed appearance.
Lemon
Lemon juice is a proven nail whitener.
The most popular and proven remedy for yellow nails is lemon juice. It is squeezed out of half a fruit and applied to the nails. Better yet, wet cotton pads and then wrap them around your fingertips. The compress is left for 15 minutes, after which it is removed and the hands are rinsed.
This method is not suitable if there are small wounds or hangnails on the skin.
Sea salt baths
A salt bath with the addition of essential oil will help restore yellowed nails to their natural radiance, and at the same time give them strength. Tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus are suitable.
Dissolve a tablespoon of salt in a glass of heated water (I usually don’t bother and take regular table salt, it works no worse than sea salt), pour it into a low bowl or ladle. Dip your fingertips into it for 10 minutes, then rinse, wipe, and lubricate with cream.
Fruit and berry mask
Making plum applique couldn't be easier!
Grapes, white currants or gooseberries are suitable for it. You can take any dull fruit. They contain vitamins and organic acids. They have whitening properties. The berries are crushed or cut into halves, and the released liquid is distributed over the surface.
Baking soda
Dilute one tablespoon of regular soda from the store in a liter of warm water and dip your fingers in it. The procedure is repeated daily. It will give your nails a healthy shine and strengthen them.
Another way is more intense. A spoonful of baking soda is moistened until a thick paste forms. Apply it, rub in lightly, leave for 5 minutes. Then the composition is washed off, hands are wiped and treated with nourishing cream.
Tea tree oil
The aromatic liquid brightens and protects against fungus. It is enough to mix 2 drops with half a teaspoon of any vegetable oil and spread. It is more convenient to do this before bed, additionally affecting the periungual fold.
Whitening stick or gel
The pencil paints over the yellowed area on the back side. The whiteness will not last long until you wash your hands for the first time. The gel acts on the principle of a decorative coating. A transparent liquid with barely noticeable pigment is applied with a brush.
I am not a supporter of store-bought formulations. I prefer everything natural, but there are a lot of positive reviews about this option. It does not cause unnecessary trouble and is good for situations where quick results are required. The main thing is not to resort to it too often, so that the nail plate does not become thinner under the influence of chemicals.
Chamomile baths
Heating in herbal decoctions together with lemon juice whitens and strengthens dead tissue. Preparation:
- Pour 30 grams of dry chamomile into a glass of boiling water,
- let it brew
- strain,
- pour into a bowl
- squeeze the juice of half a lemon,
- lower your fingers for 12 minutes.
Toothpaste
Sometimes it is enough to simply coat yellowed nails with toothpaste and leave for a few minutes.
Applications with toothpaste are an affordable and effective way of whitening. The best option is to apply a small amount to a toothbrush and “brush” your fingers. The emulsion is left for a few minutes and then washed off. The procedure quickly restores appearance even after dacha exploits.
Infusion of rose petals
Rose water is another method of restoring the color of yellowed nail plates. To increase the effect, it is mixed with glycerin and then applied with a cotton pad. After a few minutes, the composition is washed off and hands are lubricated with moisturizer.
Apple vinegar
Only natural products are suitable. It is diluted with water in a ratio of one to two and poured into a bowl. Place your fingertips there for 8 minutes. When finished, rinse your hands.
Cosmetical tools
Representatives of the fair sex who do not trust folk remedies, but want to whiten their nails after shellac, can purchase special cosmetics:
- gels;
- creams;
- lotions;
- air conditioners;
- varnishes and corrector pencils;
- special tablets for baths;
- whitening and brightening coatings.
There is a large selection of nail care products in cosmetics and perfume stores. Therefore, every woman can find the best way to get rid of yellow nails.
Nail care to maintain natural color
Simple preventive measures will help prevent the appearance of a yellow tint on the nails after gel polish:
- When purchasing shellac, carefully study the composition of the drug. Refuse to purchase products containing nitrocellulose - the main reason for the appearance of yellowness.
- Be sure to use a base coat (varnish base).
- Periodically give your nails a rest, taking a break of several days between removal and the next application of the decorative coating.
To prevent your nails from turning yellow after removing the polish, you need to adhere to the rules of a healthy diet and take care of your health. Experts recommend including more fresh fruits, vegetables and berries in your diet, as well as foods containing calcium, iron, iodine, vitamins A, E and D.
