10 tricks to keep your nails from yellowing or staining after removing nail polish

How to avoid yellowing of nails: Applying a base coat before painting your nails is an effective way to prevent staining. It acts as a protective barrier between your nails and the polish (Image: Canva)

Do you like to use bright nail paint, but get frustrated when it ends up staining your nails? Painting your nails over and over again without treating the staining is not a great idea as it can cause your nails to become brittle over time.

Nail paints are a fun and creative way to express yourself, and you mustn’t let this stop you from painting your nails with dark or bold colours. Fortunately, with the right care and techniques, you can prevent nail staining and keep your nails looking fresh and healthy.

The key to avoiding discoloration lies in how you prepare your nails before applying polish, how you remove it, and how you care for your nails in between manicures.

Here’s how to avoid staining your nails after removing nail polish:

Use a base coat

Applying a base coat before painting your nails is an effective way to prevent staining. It acts as a protective barrier between your nails and the polish.

Tips for using a base coat:

• Apply 1-2 layers of a clear base coat before applying nail polish, especially dark shades.
• Opt for base coats with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E.
• Look for "stain-resistant" or "anti-yellowing" formulas.

Wearing nail polish for too long can increase the risk of staining as pigments may penetrate the nails over time.

What to do:

• Keep nail polish on for a maximum of a week.
• Give your nails a break between manicures to let them breathe.
• Apply hydrating nail treatments during breaks.

Non-acetone removers are gentler on nails and less likely to cause staining.

How to choose a remover:

• Use non-acetone nail polish removers that contain moisturizing ingredients.
• If using acetone, moisturise nails afterward to replenish lost hydration.

Dark shades and bright colours tend to stain nails more than lighter shades.

What to do:

• Limit your use of dark polishes if they stain your nails.
• Rotate darker colours with lighter ones.
• Always use a base coat with dark polishes.

After removing dark polish, soak your nails in a natural whitening solution.

How to soak:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with lemon juice in warm water.
• Soak nails for 5-10 minutes to brighten and remove stains.

Gently buffing can remove minor staining, but over-buffing can weaken nails.

How to buff:

• Use a soft, fine-grit buffer.
• Buff in one direction and avoid pressing too hard.
• Rehydrate nails after buffing with cuticle oil or moisturiser.

Hydrated nails are less likely to stain and are more resistant to damage.

How to hydrate:

• Apply cuticle oil or hand cream regularly.
• Use a nail strengthener with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

If your nails are already stained, there are natural remedies and store-bought products that can help.

Whitening remedies:

• Baking soda paste: Mix baking soda with water or lemon juice and apply it to your nails for a few minutes before rinsing.
• Whitening toothpaste: Gently scrub nails with a toothbrush and whitening toothpaste.
• Nail whitening solutions: Use nail whitening pens or solutions to brighten nails.

Peeling off nail polish can damage your nail surface and increase the risk of staining.

What to do:

• Always use a nail polish remover instead of peeling off polish.
• Moisturise nails after removal to keep them healthy.

Lower-quality polishes may contain harsh chemicals that are more likely to stain your nails.

What to look for:

• Choose polishes that do not contain harmful chemicals.
• Opt for polishes from reputable brands known for quality ingredients.