Aftercare Instructions: Gel/Acrylic Nails

One-page aftercare for gel and acrylic nail clients. Daily care, removal warnings and maintenance schedule.

BeautyKiln Document Hub - Aftercare Instructions: Gel/Acrylic Nails - Free to use, no attribution required

Your Nail Care Guide

Client name: _______________

Date of treatment: _______________

Service: _______________

Technician: _______________

First 24 Hours

• Avoid soaking your hands in hot water for prolonged periods.
• Be gentle with your new nails while the product fully hardens and settles.
• Avoid knocking or catching your nails on hard surfaces.

Daily Care

• Wear rubber gloves when cleaning, doing the dishes or using household chemicals. Cleaning products and hot soapy water weaken the bond between the product and your natural nail.
• Do not use your nails as tools - opening cans, peeling stickers, scraping or prying things open will cause lifting, cracking or breakage.
• Apply cuticle oil daily (morning and night if possible). This keeps the skin around your nails healthy and helps prevent lifting.
• Moisturise your hands regularly.

What to Avoid

• Do not pick, peel or bite your gel or acrylic. Forcing product off your nails pulls layers of your natural nail with it. This causes thinning, pain and can take months to grow out.
• Avoid acetone-based nail polish removers unless you are having the full set removed. Acetone breaks down gel and acrylic.
• Do not attempt to file or reshape the nails yourself. If a nail breaks or lifts, contact me for a repair rather than trying to fix it at home.

Maintenance

• Acrylic nails: expect to need infills every 2 to 3 weeks as your natural nail grows out.
• Gel nails: expect to need a new set or infill every 3 to 4 weeks.
• Lifting or gaps between the product and your natural nail are normal as your nail grows. Do not ignore them - book an infill before moisture gets trapped underneath, as this can lead to bacterial or fungal infection.

Removal

• Always get professional removal. Your technician will soak the product in acetone or use an e-file to remove it safely.
• Do NOT peel them off. This strips layers from your natural nail, leaving it thin, weak and painful. Damage from peeling can take 3 to 6 months to fully grow out.
• If you want a break from enhancements, ask your technician about a strengthening treatment or BIAB (builder in a bottle) to protect your nails while they recover.

When to Contact Me

Contact me if you notice any of the following:

• Lifting or detachment within the first week (this may indicate a problem with application or preparation)
• Greenish discolouration under the nail (this can be a sign of bacterial infection - pseudomonas - and needs attention)
• Pain, throbbing or unusual sensitivity in a nail
• Redness, swelling or itching around the nail bed (possible allergic reaction to the product)
• A nail that has broken and left a sharp edge or exposed your natural nail

Phone: _______________

Email: _______________

Your Next Appointment

Your next nail appointment is booked for: _______________

If you need to reschedule, please give at least [24/48] hours' notice.

How to use this template

Give a copy to every nail client, especially first-timers. Customise with your contact details before use. Written aftercare protects you and your client - it reduces complaints, helps clients look after their nails properly, and provides evidence that you gave clear instructions if a dispute arises. Print copies to hand out or send digitally after each appointment.