Yellowish stains on your fingernails from gel polish can be unsightly. It's a good thing there are four things you can do to keep that stain away.
Stains from Gel Polish
When you remove gel polish and find yellow-orange stains underneath, it is usually due to the pigments in the polish seeping into your nails. Nails are porous and can absorb these colors, especially from darker or bold shades.
4 Ways to Remove Unsightly Stains from Your Nails
There are four ways to remove yellowish stains from gel polish.
1. Use base coat
To prevent nail staining from colored polishes, always use a base coat as a protective barrier. Some shades, especially reds and pinks, contain strong pigments like iron oxides that can cause discoloration. Applying two layers of base coat for particularly pigmented polishes can provide added protection. Consider using a base coat like Loud Lacquer OMG Karen Base Coat, which not only helps manicures last longer but also protects nails from staining.
2. Moisturize
To avoid staining your skin when removing nail polish, moisturize your hands and cuticles before starting. Applying hydration, like cuticle balm or oil, creates a barrier that helps prevent stains. Additionally, keeping your cuticles hydrated prevents staining, as dry skin is more porous and likely to trap stains. Consider using a nourishing cuticle oil to protect your skin and nails during the polish removal process.
Mane 'n Tail Hoofmaker Hand & Nail Therapy Daily Moisturizer offers a solution for dry, cracked skin and brittle nails. Originally developed for horses, its protein-enriched formula deeply moisturizes skin, fortifies nails, and reduces dryness and brittleness. With regular use, it softens and conditions rough areas, providing a manicure and pedicure in a bottle. Keep your skin and nails healthy and strong with this affordable product priced at $6.99.
3. Apply lemon juice
Lemon's natural bleaching properties make it effective for removing yellow stains from nails. You can either rub a lemon slice directly on your nails or create a soak by squeezing fresh lemon juice into a bowl and soaking your fingertips for 10 to 15 minutes. Afterward, wash your hands with warm water and apply moisturizer. Repeat daily until you see results. Ensure nails are clean before using lemon juice.
For a more potent solution, mix lemon juice with soapy water and soak nails for five minutes. Rinse hands and moisturize afterward. This method can be repeated daily for best results.
4. Use denture tablets
Denture tablets are surprisingly effective at removing gel polish stains from fingernails. Simply dissolve three tablets in a bowl of lukewarm water and soak your fingers for five minutes. The active ingredients, like dilute sodium hypochlorite, act as a mild bleach, effectively stripping away stains. While the initial thought might be a bit off-putting, the results are worth it, leaving your nails looking whiter and cleaner. Repeat the process daily until the discoloration is completely gone for best results.