How Long Does a Manicure Last

A manicure’s life is short  but if you know what to expect, you can get the most out of it.

Typical life span by type

• Regular nail polish: usually lasts 5–7 days before chips or wear appear.
  
  
• Gel manicure: typically stays good for 2–3 weeks.
  
  
• Dip powder or acrylic nails: can hold up for 2–4 weeks depending on growth and upkeep.
  
  

Why it wears off sooner

Daily habits and nail growth play a big role. If you wash hands a lot, clean dishes, or use harsh detergents — polish chips faster.
Also, nails grow. As they grow about 1–2 mm a week, after two-three weeks you may see your base showing — even if polish hasn’t chipped.

Here’s a quick care checklist to help manicure last longer:

• Use good base coat + top coat before polish.
  
  
• Wait until nails are fully dry; avoid water for a few hours.
  
  
• Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning.
  
  
• Moisturize cuticles and nails regularly.
  
  
• Avoid using nails as tools (like opening cans or scratching).
  
  

Real-life example

Say you do a gel manicure on Day 0. You mostly type, cook and wash hands with gloves. After 14 days, nails still look fine. But by Day 18–20 you notice a small gap at base — that’s regrowth. At that point, it’s fine — but if you wait longer, nails start to look less fresh.

FAQ

Will washing dishes ruin my manicure fast?
If you skip gloves and soak hands often, regular polish may chip within 3–4 days — but gel or dip polish handles it better.

Can I top up polish instead of doing a full manicure again?
Yes a quick top coat every 5–7 days helps regular polish last a bit longer. For gel/dip, full redo every 2–4 weeks is best.

What’s the longest a manicure stays “fresh”?
With dip or acrylic, 3–4 weeks is possible. But for overall neat look (no visible regrowth), plan a touch-up in about 2 weeks.