Holiday party season is also nail season. Press on nails and gel manicures both promise a polished set without much fuss, but they stress your natural nails in different ways. Here is what dermatologists say, and how to enjoy either one without paying for it later.

A fresh set of nails is one of the easiest ways to feel put together, which is why holiday calendars fill up with manicure appointments and press on kits. The catch is that nails do not love being covered, glued, hardened and scraped on repeat. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says artificial nails can be hard on your nails, leaving them thin, brittle and parched. The good news is that a few habits make a big difference.

01Same goal, different stress

Press on nails are artificial nails you apply at home. Most kits use glue, and some use peel and stick adhesive. A set typically lasts about 1 to 2 weeks. Because they are artificial nails, the general dermatology advice for artificial nails applies to them.

A gel manicure works differently. The polish goes on your own nail and is hardened under a lamp, so your hands get a short session of light every time. That light is the reason the AAD recommends hand protection, which you will find below.

02Press ons and gel, side by side

03Press on nails without the regret

• Save them for occasions. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Taryn Murray recommends wearing press on nails only for special occasions. Time without them also gives your nails a chance to recover, according to the AAD.
• Keep them short. Longer nails are more likely to separate from the nail bed, which lets germs get underneath.
• Read the glue. Methacrylate and cyanoacrylate are common allergens in nail glue. Case reports describe rashes on the hands, face and eyelids, and an allergy can develop at any time, even with a brand that never bothered you before.
• Respect the spill. Glue that soaks into cotton, like a towel or sweatpants, can heat up and burn skin. One published review found 14 cases of nail glue burns across 8 reports, mostly serious burns to the leg or foot, and many of those patients needed skin grafts. These are case reports, so they show what can happen, not how often. Work over a hard surface and keep the bottle off your lap.
• Watch for infection. Press ons trap moisture, and fungus and bacteria thrive in damp spaces. Swelling, redness, tenderness or discoloration around the nail are signs to take the nails off and see a dermatologist. A green or blue green tint can point to green nail syndrome, a bacterial infection linked to extended wear.
• Open a window. The FDA advises good ventilation whenever you use nail products.

04Gel without the regret

• Protect your hands from the lamp. The AAD recommends a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on your hands before a gel manicure. The alternative is dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips cut off.
• Ask for LED. If you get a choice, the AAD says an LED curing light gives lower UV exposure than a UV lamp and cures faster.
• Choose soak off gel. It is more flexible than acrylic, so natural nails are less likely to crack. Ask for gel that soaks off rather than gel that has to be filed off.
• Skip the cuticle trim. Cuticles guard against infection, and nail infections can take a long time to clear.
• Take a nail polish holiday. The AAD suggests 1 to 2 weeks or longer between manicures so nails can repair, and it recommends keeping gel for special occasions.
• Moisturize often. Rub petroleum jelly or another moisturizer into your nails and cuticles several times a day to reduce brittleness and chipping.

05Taking them off the right way

Removal is where a lot of the damage happens, so it deserves a few minutes of patience.

1. Do not pick or peelThe AAD says not to pick at chipped polish. Let your manicurist remove it.
2. Keep the acetone on your fingertipsSoak only your fingertips, or wrap cotton balls soaked in acetone around each nail with small pieces of foil and wait about 15 minutes. This protects the skin around your nails.
3. Go slowly with press onsApplying and removing them can lead to brittle nails and breakage, so never force a nail off. Follow the removal instructions that came with your kit.
4. Moisturize right awayRub petroleum jelly or another moisturizer into your nails and cuticles, and repeat it several times a day.

06Quick answers

Pretty nails and healthy nails can coexist. Pick the set that fits your week, wear it on purpose, take it off gently, and let your nails rest before the next one.