ACRYLIC and gel nail fans can attest to the harsh damage that's often the aftermath of a perfect manicure.

One doctor revealed the dermatologist-approved way to protect and heal your nail beds and cuticles and begin prepping for your next full set or coat of polish.

Dr Charles Puza is a dermatology resident and the author of Skinfluencer, a book about his skincare expertise.

In a recent video on TikTok, Dr Puza shared the brilliant hand care tip with his 1.1million followers.

"You've heard of slugging your skin," Dr Puza said at the start of the clip. "But what about your nails?"

He said that "slugging" is a great way to recover from acrylates, which "can be harsh and damage nails."

Acrylates, a component of acrylic acid, are present in many fake nails and the adhesives used to apply them.

Whether you go for a unique sculptural design or a basic, more temporary set, acrylates are probably present in the compounds your nail tech uses.

If you're going easy on your nails after a manicure, you can still be at risk of water damage, which leaves your nails brittle and cracked.

That's where slugging comes in, Dr Puza explained.

"Slugging the nail cuticle can strengthen nails and protect them from water damage," Dr Puza said.

You can "slug" your hands using a similar method to slugging your face, he continued.

Choose an occlusive – Vaseline or other petroleum jelly products are the most popular choice – and coat your cuticles and nail beds in the goop.

If you suffer from severely damaged nail beds or cuticles, you can even put petroleum jelly on at night, then wear gloves to sleep.

Over time, you should see cracking and tearing in your cuticles begin to heal, and split nails grow out healthy and intact.

Dr Puza said you should try slugging every day, and add more Vaseline to the sides of your cuticles after washing your hands.

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