Nothing is more annoying than chipping your nail polish right after a manicure. The aggravation of ruining your polish can lead to a strong urge to pick off the rest of it. While we've probably all done it at one time or another, peeling off nail polish is actually extremely damaging, and affects both the short- and long-term health of your nails. Take a look at these nail-picking effects as well as some solutions to kicking the habit!

When you pick off dry nail polish, the top layer of your nail comes right off with it. This makes nails brittle and prone to breaking. It also makes them less than attractive; delicate cells that live on the nail are stripped away, leaving behind white spots, bumps and other irregularities.

Picking also affects healthy nail growth. Those cells on your nail grow in an upward direction, from the cuticle to the tip. When you peel off polish, you move the cells in the opposite direction, causing the nail to crack as it grows. This creates permanent ridges and nicks that make seamless nail polish application difficult.

To break this bad beauty habit, carry pre-soaked nail polish remover pads in your purse. When a chip drives you nuts, simply remove the polish on the spot. If you've already succumbed to the peeling urge, slather your nails and cuticles in a heavy-duty hand cream (we recommend Kiehl's Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer for Dry or Callused Areas), which will help bond the damaged cells and improve the appearance of the nail's surface.

Do you pick at your nail polish? 'Fess up in the comments!