Is It Bad To Wear Nail Polish Every Single Day?

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While lacquered fingers can make your look a little more put together, wearing polish constantly without giving your nails a break is probably impacting them negatively in the long term. It can be one of the reasons why your nails are peeling or even breaking. "Wearing nail polish daily without breaks can lead to dryness, brittleness, yellowing, and thinning of the nails," says Dr. Aanand Geria, a board-certified dermatologist at Geria Dermatology, in an exclusive interview with Women.com. Plus, it's not just the polish itself that can be damaging. "Constant exposure to polish and removers — especially acetone — strips natural oils and may cause peeling or surface damage. While nails don't need to 'breathe,' prolonged coverage can trap moisture and increase the risk of fungal infections."

So how do you know that your nails might need a break? Look for discoloration or signs that nail strength is weakened, like cracking, peeling, or slow growth, says Geria. You don't need to stop getting manicures altogether, but any of these signs might indicate that you should take a break from manicures to preserve your nail health and give your hands extra care.

But while manicures can be damaging, you don't need to give them up altogether. "Nail health is all about balance," explains Dr. Aanand Geria. "Taking breaks between polish applications is helpful. Ideally, go polish-free for several days every two to three weeks to let nails recover. Think of breaks as a 'reset' in order to keep your nails strong."

But beyond just giving your nails the opportunity to recover, choose products that support long-term nail health, including non-acetone polish removers like Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover. Additionally, Geria recommends applying cuticle oil like Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing Oil, which you should probably be applying every day anyway, to help rehydrate the nail plate. "Using a nourishing base coat before each manicure can additionally help prevent some staining and brittleness," he adds. Look for something intended to help restore nail strength, like Essie's Strong Start Base Coat.