Exploring the world of nail care leaves many wondering whether they should adorn their nails with the latest colors or keep them natural. With a variety of care strategies available, choosing the best approach to maintaining healthy nails can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of leaving your nails alone compared to using protective products like ridge fillers and base coats. Whether you love the minimalist look or are thinking about adding an extra layer of protection, this guide will help you make an informed decision about your nail care routine.
We often get asked whether it is better to leave the nails as they are or use products such as ridge fillers and base coats. This is a common concern for many people who want to maintain healthy and attractive nails without overusing products. Let’s analyze your options and find out what works best for you.
The benefits of keeping your nails covered and well-moisturized
Not painting your nails is an easy way to avoid potential exposure to chemicals found in many nail products. It’s fine if you use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but it’s important to remember that after the age of 21, your body’s ability to maintain moisture levels begins to decline. So even if you don’t paint your nails, it’s important to focus on maintaining the natural condition of your nails and keeping them well moisturized and cared for. As we’ve been doing, regular use of quality nail oils and hand creams is very effective at moisturizing the nails and the skin around them, which is essential for healthy nails and nail tissue. So as long as you don’t neglect that important maintenance, all will be fine.
Benefits of using ridge filler and base coat to protect your nails
However, there are advantages to using products such as ridge fillers and base coats: since the nail does not “breathe”, these products do not inhibit necessary physiological processes. Instead, they provide a protective layer that protects against physical damage, improves the appearance of the nail, and, depending on the formulation, can also contribute to a more effective moisture level in the nail and nail unit.
For those considering using a protection product, it’s important to choose a formula that meets your needs so you’re not trading one problem for another.. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, let’s try lining up a few things and see if it helps.
Choosing the right nail care products for optimal nail health
Dry skin and nails are the biggest cause of worsening nail and nail unit deformities. The thing is, dryness can be caused by a variety of things, but if we put that idea aside for a moment, we can suggest some solutions.
- If your nails are weak, it may be due to a short nail matrix. This cannot be changed, but some strengthening products may help. However, maintaining your nail care is still essential.
- If your nails are splitting, it may be due to a weak nail matrix, which cannot be changed, but if you don’t mind a nail coating, you can also silk off the gel polish base and top coat. If you want to avoid nail coatings, IBX is the perfect solution. IBX acts like a support stocking, holding the nail plate cells together while the nail grows. In either case, nail care maintenance is important. If none of these are an option, nail care maintenance is essential.
- If you have ridges on your nail plate, this is most likely due to small imperfections that occur when the nail cells separate from the nail matrix, so ridge fillers can be used, but not always unless the ridge filler is flexible. If the ridge filler only hardens the natural nail, it will become brittle and you will have a different kind of problem, the nail plate will split and crumble. Again, nail care is key. Your supplier of ridge fillers should be able to advise you on how long to use the product for. If not, don’t buy it. Again, IBX could be a solution as it works within the nail plate and not on it.
For any or all of these issues, artificial nail products may be the solution. If your salon knows what they use, they can help you choose products that will be a satisfactory solution, but these are all temporary solutions. Nails grow and skin is in constant motion. Again, maintenance is paramount.
The options are endless, but the fact remains.
Effective Steps to Manage Chronic Nail Conditions
It cannot solve chronic conditions that cause nail plate defects or skin problems, it can only improve appearance.
step 1 Improving or maintaining moisture levels is essential when trying to improve the condition of your nails and skin. – Simple additions like a quality nail or skin oil or lotion can make a life-changing difference. If natural is important to you, look for products that contain allantoin, urea, and of course jojoba or avocado oil.
Step 2 Know your habits.
Step 3 Make the choice that’s right for you.
Nail polish can also be a solution for dry nails as it provides a coating over your natural nail, but it still requires maintenance and needs to be changed regularly, and it is not an effective solution for weak nails.
A clear soak-off gel polish base and top coat may be a solution, but they will need to be removed every 2-3 weeks depending on the condition of your natural nails and the recommended wear time of the product. Application and removal can require several hours per month, and nail care and maintenance are essential.
If the nail plate has pits due to psoriasis, they may be solved by using a nail coating that requires “filling”. In this case, the preparation of the natural nail is of utmost importance and scraping the nail plate before applying the product should be avoided, as this weakens the entire nail structure. Here I will go against the mainstream and say that acrylic liquids and powders will be your best allies. If applied correctly and professionally, they will make a difference, but remember that this is a cosmetic product and you have not cured psoriasis, you have only made the nail look better.
When it comes to removing nail products, choosing a remover that doesn’t contain acetone won’t solve the dryness problem. All solvents used to remove artificial nail coatings or nail polish will dry out your natural nail or nail unit. It may also take longer to remove the nail coating or soak it.
A nail polish remover containing acetone will remove the polish well. Afterwards, washing your hands with mild soap and water and applying a good nail and skin oil followed by a good lotion will help restore moisture levels in your nails and skin. The drying effect of acetone is temporary and, provided you hydrate afterwards, will not affect the health of your natural nails.
Bare Nails vs. Protective Coating: A Personal Decision
Ultimately, the decision to leave your nails as they are or use a ridge filler and/or base coat comes down to personal preference, lifestyle, and the specific needs of your nails.
There are benefits to both approaches, and with the right products and methods, you can have healthy, beautiful nails whether you go bare or use protective products, as long as you incorporate a daily care and maintenance routine.
