Shellac seems to have ruined my nails

[ThatVikRinA22]

I had shellac on for a total of 6 weeks or so, bit had to have it taken off as my nails have gone really weak and brittle. 2 have split really far down, and I can't cut them short enough to cut it out. I loved shellac bit am wary of having it done again if it leaves nails in such a mess, my nails are normally naturally long and quite strong. Anyone else had problems after shellac or is it just me?

[unimaginativename]

My nails are normally strong and grow very easily too, I had gelish for about 6 weeks and my nails were ruined. They are now breaking really easily and peeling, I'm using OPI nail envy while I grow out the damaged nail but it seems to be taking forever.

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

did you pick the nails off or have them soaked off?

[ThatVikRinA22]

Mine are peeking too! I'm s bit miffed, I thought if found the holy Grail of nail colour that doesn't chip off.... But it's come at a cost to my poor ruined nails.... They are driving me mad.

[ThatVikRinA22]

• peeling! Bloody iPhone...... I had it properly taken off at the salon btw .

[HorsesDogsNails]

Your nails may be dehydrated and brittle rather than damaged and ruined.... A good nail and cuticle oil like CND Solar Oil will help to retain flexibility and stop them splitting. Using Solar Oil while the product is on will help minimise the dehydration.

Was the product soaked off by a professional Nail Tech? Home removal (either with acetone or by picking it off) can worsen the brittleness. Nail Envy is a really good product.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

My nails went brittle after Shellac - presumably they "can't breathe" while this stuff is on. The nails did last a full three weeks without chipping but I woulld not bother again.

[ThatVikRinA22]

I had it properly removed by a nail tech at the salon for all those asking.

[unimaginativename]

I had mine properly removed too, and used cuticle oil religiously. I have been quite lax with applying oil since I had it removed, which is silly really, I should still be using it.

[HorsesDogsNails]

I don't use Shellac, I use OPI Axxium which is a similar product, so I can't say I've seen problems like this within my clients (full-time Nail Tech). Keep up with the oil, and use a strengthener like Nail Envy and the condition will return to your nails. If you rub oil in every day the rubbing motion will stimulate circulation and nail growth.

anothersplace nails don't need to breathe but without replacing their normal moisture levels when they are covered they will suffer dehydration. Like having bleach applied to your hair strips the natural moisture out but we replace it with conditioner when we wash our hair.

Solar Oil is conditioner for nails !

[Chewbecca]

I've had the same problem since having gelish over Christmas. My nail finally recovered in March but I'm not going to use it again sadly.
M toenails seem to cope much better though and I'm having my first gelish pedicure of the season on Saturday :)

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I don't think any of these things are great for nails really - ok occasionally but not too often.

[whackamole]

Mine were fine but I removed it after 2 weeks as I didn't want them done again. I used pure acetone to remove it.

[teahouse]

It ruined my nails too but I made sure I kept putting nail on them and once the damaged bit had grown out, my nails are just fine.
I have always had problems with my finger nails - toes nails no problem and finger nails fine so long as I avoid nail varnish.
Good luck

[rightchoice]

I have been using Jessica Geleration similar to Shellac for well over a year. My nails are kept very short. They always split before and would probably split again now if I left them natural, and unpainted. I think the worst thing for them is the electric file used in one salon in the past. I have now bought my own system and do them every 2-3 weeks. They always look lovely. Saves lots and is much better than nail varnish. Well worth the investment.

[Jackstini]

I have got my own kit too rightchoice (have you got Sensationail?) but always remove after 2-3 weeks as although there's no chipping my nails now grow quite fast so I get grow out gaps.

I remove with foil method. (File off shiny top layer only, put acetone on cotton then onto nail, wrap with foil, leave 15 mins and it's off)
I have known salons use electric files (noooooooooooo - don't let them!)
Vicar - did your salon use file, soak or foil?

My nails are stronger than ever now but I do use cuticle oil every other day to nourish.

[ThatVikRinA22]

Mine were soaked off in acetone, one of my nails has had to be cut so short it's actually really sore. They feel weak, bendy and they are breaking and peeling, they are rough and just horrible. Where do I get nail oil from? I had shellac 3 times in total. The last time she soaked it off then buffed my nails with an emery board... Then put clear varnish on, which just looked and felt awful and rough. I'm so fed up now with painfully broken nails.

[ThatVikRinA22]

In fact I've just noticed my sore far too short nail is bleeding.... Yuk.

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

The solaroil is lovely, but you can buy almond oil in most chemists now. Get a bottle and rub it in and imagine yourself on a lovely summer holiday with the smell.

I swear by OPI nail envy, it fixes everything.

[Jackstini]

Ouch Vicar if you ever have it again use the foil removal method I mentioned - your nails are in acetone for a shorter time.
The manicurist should not need to buff anything away.

Almond oil would be a good start to get them going again but will prob take 4-8 weeks to show a real difference tbh

You can always gel polish them yourself after a couple of weeks if you need some strength/colour to kee you going

[ThatVikRinA22]

I've just realised I've got some elemis oil that can be used for body, hair or nails so I've lathered them in it!

[rightchoice]

Jakstini no I dont have Sensationail. I have Jessica Geleration gel, prep, finish etc. The lamps and the other things I purchased from various sources. I have saved lots doing it this way. Need a few more colours though now!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Can I ask a quick Nail Envy question? If you use oil while the Nail Envy is on does it actually get to the nail, or is it just the cuticles it benefits?

I haven't been able to do the extra coat every couple of days thing with NE successfully, by about the 4th layer it gets all thick and then peels off, this is by about 4 days, even if I just leave it at the original two coats it starts looking manky by about 4 or 5 days.