Gel nails surely aren't actually good for your real nails?

[BeautifulMaudOHara]

Nail woman told me they were but since I've had them my real nails are weaker and flakier than ever.

[Kirriemuir]

Mine are great. Have them done every 2 weeks. Nice and strong. Good shape etc. No problems here. Usually, it's incorrect removal that causes problems.

[RusholmeRuffian]

I've had gel nails for years and my nails are still in great condition. I get mine removed by hand though, not with those horrible electric files.

[BubsAndMoo]

I had them continuously for about 9-10 months and my own nails became horribly thin and weak, and it took another year for them to recover and regrow. I think it was due to my manicurist being over zealous with the electric sanding removal thing more than anything else though. I did question her use of it but she seemed so experienced I trusted her. Shame as I used to love going to see her, she was from
Cambodia originally and had fascinating stories to tell.

[Ifonlyiweretaller]

I find I can use Shellac constantly (usually have it done every 2-3 weeks). Removed with foil, acetone and orange stick. Whenever I've had Geleration, although it lasts longer, it makes my nails go flaky and weak. And they tend to file the top coat off before using acetone which doesnt help.
I swould never let anyone go near me with the electric sander. How can sanding a layer off your nails possibly be good for them?

[Chocolou]

ifonly they shouldn't be sanding your nail with an electric sander if you have proper geleration. I do geleration nails and all they should do is use a very light buffer to remove some of the shine and break the seal so the acetone will dissolve the other layers.

If they're sanding with anything electrical they are not doing it correctly.

[itsbetterthanabox]

They aren't bad for your nails if you have a good nail tech who use professional products correctly, you follow correct aftercare and they are removed correctly by a professional.
Problems often happen when techs use bad products or do poor application ie not doing cuticle work or overbuffing the nail. If it is removed incorrectly that causes damage too. It should be wrapped and soaked in acetone until it flakes off and is pushed off sign ease no excess force to scrape it. Hands shouldn't be dipped in acetone and it shouldn't be filed off! Leave anywhere that tries to file it off or goes anywhere near you with an electric file.
Aftercare is equally important. To maintain the condition of your nails you need to use a high quality cuticle oil everyday rubbed into the nail and cuticle both when you have gel on and if you don't.
Don't pick, bite or peel it. Have it removed properly and wear gloves when you clean.

[gingerbreadmanm]

As everyone else says as long as they are removed properly (acetone then a light buff) shouldnt affect your nails at all.

As for good for your nails i say the same but what i mean is your nails grow and are stronger with the gelish on. It doesn't actually make your nails any better but if your nails are prone to snapping they are less likely to with gel on.

[WhereInTheWorldToNext]

It's a mixture of the removal and the polish itself that causes damage.

I can manage gellish back to back for a few months but they do need a rest occasionally

[RaeSkywalker]

Mine are removed with acetone and buffing and I have no problems at all.

Once my beautician was booked up and I went to someone else as my nails urgently needed sorting. They were quite damaged then- the new beautician didn't leave the acetone on long enough and carved the gel off my nails.

I am also exasperated by one of my friends who claims that gels ruined her nails. No, being too tight to pay for removal and picking them off damaged your nails...

Basically make sure you find someone good!

[RaeSkywalker]

I've had a problem with one of my toe nails (damaged through sports injury, weak and brittle as a result) and my chiropodist suggested putting gels on them last summer to protect the dodgy nail and give it a decent chance to grow underneath. It's not perfect now but a lot better than it was.