Everyone has been there; we have all seen the dreaded sheet mark on our nails. This can be very discouraging when we have just spent time and money on a wonderful manicure only to find this flaw when taking off the wrap. It’s important to note that they are not always caused by what we do while wearing gel or acrylic nails.
So you want to get rid of those sheet marks on your nails? And I am sure you don’t want to wait six months to see results. So, what can you do immediately without any side effects to get your beautiful nails?
Before you go manicure shopping for nail polish removers, try these simple remedies to fix sheet marks on your nails:
- Switch to nail polish that doesn’t have sheet marks
- Apply a top coat after your nail polish
- Add a layer of clear polish
- Wipe nail polish remover over the marks
4 Methods for Fixing Sheet Marks on Nails
Sheet marks are a common problem for those who do their nails at home. Here are some ways to fix sheet marks on your nails:
1. Switch to nail polish that doesn’t allow sheet marks
The easiest way to avoid dealing with sheet marks is to switch to a nail polish that doesn’t allow them in the first place. Some nail polish brands have been designed to dry slowly, which helps prevent them from forming.
You can usually tell if a nail polish bottle has this property by looking at the label; sometimes, it will say “drying time” or “long-lasting formula.” If you want to avoid having problems in the future, try buying your nail polishes from brands with faster drying times.
2. Apply a top coat after your nail polish
Another way to prevent nail sheet marks is by applying a top coat after you’ve finished applying your base color. A great tip for this is to put on two coats of top coat instead of just one because this will help seal the color and prevent any peeling or cracking from happening during drying time.
Applying a top coat after your nail polish will help smooth out any rough patches or ridges left behind by the base color. It also helps extend the life of your manicure by protecting it from chipping and peeling over time. Below are amazing nail top coats to try:
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat
Protect your nails and the polish you have worn for over 2 weeks with Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Clear Coat from Seche. It protects your color from fading, chips, and other nasties and is easy to use. Just apply it after polishing, cure it with a UV/LED lamp, then you’re good to go.
Beetles Gel Polish Gel No Wipe Top Coat
The No Wipe Top Coat is a flexible top coat that avoids nicks, chips, or smudges. Its 9 Toxin Free Ingredient makes it healthy and low odor. The Top Coat is suitable for natural nails, nail lamp gel nails, artificial nails, acrylic nails, nail tips, and so on.
Essie No Chips Ahead Chip-Resistant Top Coat Nail Polish
Get a perfectly polished, chip-free manicure with the help of Essie No Chips Ahead Chip-Resistant Top Coat. This clear nail polish top coat prevents chips and helps protect against peeling and tip wear. Infused with acrylic resin, this protective formula helps seal in color for a smooth, glossy finish that lasts.
3. Add a layer of clear polish
This is the easiest way to fix sheet marks on your nails, but it’s not the best. Clear nail polish will cover the marks and make them less noticeable, but it won’t remove them completely. All you need is a thin layer of clear polish and some patience.
4. Wipe nail polish remover over the marks
If the previous method doesn’t work, try wiping nail polish remover over the marks instead. You might have better luck with this method, but it does take longer to see results since it requires multiple coats of remover and waiting for each one to dry before applying another one on top of it all over again until there’s no more residue left from your previous application of color onto your nails.
You can use acetone-based remover to remove any residue from your nail polish brush and clean off those pesky sheet marks. However, this method requires a bit of elbow grease and can be messy if you don’t have a cotton pad handy.
About Sheet Marks
Sheet marks, also known as nail lines or ridges, are a condition in which you see a line on your nails. These lines can be white or yellowish-white and look like thin strips running across your nails. They can appear on any part of your fingernails or toenails, including the cuticle area.
The most common causes are rubbing your nails against a bed sheet, washing dishes, and other household chores. This usually happens when nail polish isn’t completely dry before coming in contact with surfaces and objects.
4 Tips to Avoid Sheet Marks After Nail Polish
The good news is that it’s easy to avoid nail sheet marks if you follow these tips:
1. Apply a base coat
Apply a base coat before applying the nail polish to protect your natural nails from staining and damage. It also prevents the nail polish from sticking to the nail plate. While this may seem like a no-brainer, you would be surprised how many people don’t use one. A base coat will help prevent chipping and the polish from staining your nails.
2. Let each coat dry properly before applying another layer
Always allow each coat of nail paint to dry completely before applying another one. Applying too many coats will increase the chances of getting sheet marks on your nails.
Your nail surface must be completely dry, so any added layers won’t stick and create dents in your manicure. If you’re impatient like me, try putting cotton balls under each finger while it dries, this helps me avoid smudging my nails while they’re still wet.
3. Use a blow dryer or fan to speed up drying time
When you apply nail polish, it needs to dry completely before you go to bed at night. If not, you’ll wake up with sheet marks on your nails. Using a blow dryer or fan can help the nail polish dry quickly and prevent this problem from happening.
4. Let the nail polish dry completely before going to bed.
Having a little patience is your best bet; make sure your nails are completely dry before bed. This may take some long minutes, depending on how thickly you applied your nail polish and how much time has passed since the application. But it will be worth it when you wake up the next morning to enjoy your nail glow.
Can Nail Dents Be Repaired?
Nail dents can be repaired; they are often caused by blunt trauma. The first thing you need to do is determine the severity of the damage. If the dent is small (less than half an inch), you may be able to fix it with one of the methods above. However, if the dent is more than half an inch, it’s time to see a professional manicurist.
Your nails are made of keratin and protein, which can be damaged by heat and chemicals, including acetone, which you use as nail polish remover. A professional can use stronger products without damaging your nails and fix them back into shape.
Why Does My Nail Polish Smudges Hours Later?
The only reason your nail polish smudges is still because it’s not dry. The chemical reaction between the solvent and the lacquer base can cause this. The lacquer base gives polish its color but makes it thicker and less flexible.
Applying a thick layer of lacquer to your nails can take up to half an hour for the lacquer to completely dry. The solvent evaporates slowly and causes the lacquer to become tacky, which makes it stick to everything it touches, including your fingers.
The best way to prevent smudging is by adding less solvent during the application or waiting longer between coats (which will also make your manicure last longer). You can also buy special top coat products that claim to seal in your nail color so that smudges won’t happen.
Bottom Line
Worry about sheet marks on your nails no more. With these easy methods, you can quickly fix your marks and enjoy a lasting glow.
