Tuesday

We hope you're having a great week! Today, we're discussing:

• If acrylics or gel damages your nails more

• Ideas to keep your nails healthy

• How to reclaim your summers

• Dermatologist tips to grow your nails

Are Acrylics or Gel More Damaging To Your Nails?

Acrylics and gel are two beautiful ways to express your style and personality. Plus, it's an amazing way to practice self-care and pamper ourselves!

But you may be aware that, especially if not done correctly, both acrylics and gel can damage your nails. But how do the two compare? Is one worse than the other?

Acrylics are generally stronger and may not chip as easily. However, gel is generally done with a UV light, which can cause damage to our cells. (If you're going to get a manicure with a UV light, experts recommend manicure gloves and sunscreen to protect your skin.)

As shared by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, acrylics are less flexible than gel, which may cause more damage. While soak-off gel can cause brittleness and other issues, it may be the better option in terms of causing less damage to our nails themselves.

Salons that file off either gel or acrylics can cause severe damage. Whether you opt for gel or acrylics, ensure you always opt for a soak-off instead of electric filing, as this can weaken and thin your nails.

All in all, both acrylics and gel can cause some damage to your nails, but a lot of it comes down to personal preference. It's important to give your nails a break and practice good habits to keep your nails healthy (more on that below)!

How To Keep Your Nails Healthy

Our nails are one self-care area we may not think about as frequently — especially if manicures are not a part of your regular routine.

Luckily, you don't have to head to the salon to keep your nails healthy! There are plenty of small things you can do to keep yours in good shape:

• Avoid picking and biting: This can cause further damage — and if you open the skin, it puts you at increased risk of infections.

• Eat a variety of foods: Malnourishment and deficiencies can cause weak, brittle nails. Eating a wide variety of foods helps keep our nails strong.

• Keep your nails dry and clean: Wear gloves when doing chores like dishes and gardening, and use a scrubber to clean underneath your nails if they get dirty. This helps prevent bacteria and fungus from growing underneath.

• Moisturize: Use a lotion or cuticle softener to help keep the area around your nails soft.

• File any jagged edges and cut down hangnails: This prevents any catching or damage from happening.

• Consider a protective layer: Especially if you're working to grow out damaged nails, a topical nail hardener can provide a protective layer.

How to Reclaim Your Summers

Remember when summer was pure magic? When we were kids, fun was the only endgame: riding bikes with friends, hanging out at the community pool, getting lost in a book. 

You’re an adult now, and that comes with its own benefits: You can stay up as late as you like playing penny poker with your neighbors, rent a camper van and tour Glacier National Park, or spend days on a craft project.

But when was the last time you actually did any of that? 

The first step to having more fun with summer activities is to carve out time for it. Start by protecting your weekends. Turn off work emails and resist the urge to check your phone. Many of use PTO to run errands, but that doesn’t count. (Crossing things off your to-do list might feel satisfying, but it rarely feels joyful.)

If you’re unsure how to bring fun back into your summer, we’ve put together a summer guide with inspired travel destinations, summer wellness and beauty tips, outdoor fitness routines, and lots of easy summer recipes, including no-cook summer meals, foil-pack dinners, DIY ice pops, mocktails, refreshing agua frescas, and more.

Rediscover the joys of summer at ELmag.com/summerfun.

Thank you to Experience Life for sponsoring Note To Self. 

What We're Watching: Dermatologist Tips To Grow Your Nails

In addition to keeping their nails healthy, many people enjoy the look and feel of long nails.

However, growing them out can sometimes be a challenge. We've loved picking up tips from Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis to help grow nails long and strong.

From protecting your nails to knowing how cuticle pushers can impact your nail health, Dr. Ellis shares lots of helpful insights.

For example, did you know that most nails don't require buffing?

Check out Dermatologist Shares How to Protect & Grow Healthy, Strong Nails (Nail Care Tips) here.

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Around 3.5 millimeters! This is just around 1/10 of an inch!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Our nails are an important area of self-care to consider, too!

A Note From Us

It’s time for you to reclaim the magic of summer. Need some ideas? Visit ELmag.com/summerfun to read Experience Life’s ultimate summer guide and start seizing every moment of your summer.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!