Gel nails polish for a first timer, yes or no?

[Lochroy]

I'm considering getting gel varnish as a one off for a special occasion. Even with max care, when I do have regular polish done, it ends up chipped so normally I just have 'bare' nails which I'm quite happy with for. the majority of the time.

I've read about the removal acetone potentially causing thinning. Is it that bad? Can just having it done once cause issues?

(Not worried about the UV risk as I'm happy to take that risk as a one off as reports are seen as inconclusive anyway)

Gel looks much better and lasts much longer 🤗

Go for it, but make sure you go back and get them removed - don't try and do it yourself.

Yes! Dont drink/smoke/drugs so nails is my treat every 3 weeks.

i find they finish off a look. Ive had gels for 3 years.

It's very easy to remove yourself if you use acetone and cotton wool pads and tinfoil. I've always removed them myself.

I absolutely love them. I love that they don't chip and look really finished. The only thing I'd say is you might get addicted 😂

Of course for a special occasion. And yes much easier to book to get them removed.....they might last 2 or 3 weeks before damage. (If any fall off after 7-10 days don't go back there again to get them done as they should last longer).

I find they are addictive also. It got really expensive for me and the skin around my nails dried and hardened. You can get gel gloves to help to lessen the UV damage. I've gone back to Opi glitter gel, I can apply it myself in 10 mins and a £6 bottle lasts months and the chips don't show.

Glitter polish, that should read. If you go ahead see if you can find a technician who will remove the gels properly and not just leave your hands in a bowl of acetone.

i think it’s fine as a one-off OP.

Gel nails are my New Year’s resolution but I had them done a week ago and already 2 are chipped and one is peeling 😵‍💫 disappointing as they feel and look soooo nice! I don’t wear makeup and so having nice nails makes me feel and look a bit more polished. But not when they’re chipped!

£27 lasting less than a week and now I’m worrying my real nails will get even thinner and there’s a risk from the UV??

I ended up getting onycholysis from having regular gels because of the lamp. My nails came away from the nail bed. Awful and took ages to get them back to normal. I'd never go near a lamp again. I know I was probably just unlucky and it is rare. I use Essie nail polish now with the speedsetter top coat. Really easy to do, looks lovely and they last about two weeks. Not quite as good as gels but a good alternative for me!

You can remove them without acetone -just gently file them off with a nail file/electric file. I find it’s far quicker that way than faffing about with acetone anyway! FWIW, I’ve done my own gels for about seven years and I don’t have any problems with my nails. I do use cuticle oils, hand creams etc. thought to help. You’ll be absolutely fine, OP!

I’ve got dry hands and nails, even with cream and oil, but I still get them done if I’m going on holiday….or special occasion. 2/3 times a year, any more and it starts to affect my nails.

I think gel nails look absolutely lovely. And do finish off a look. But I’m still traumatised by removal of the one and only pair of acrylic nails I ever had and haven’t been back to a salon since! What’s different about the removal of gel? My nails were filed down to paper thin, bendy and painful when the acrylics were removed.

If you decide against gel nails you could always try Sèche Vite top coat. It's self levelling and dries rock hard in a matter of minutes. It really helps stop chipping or smudging when you've spent an age painting them. You can use it with any polish.

Another thing you could try is Treat Colour Love by Essie. It's a treatment in several colours and dries almost instantly on the nail. I always get the light pink for a polished but neutral look.

Had them few times for special occasion but they damage nails so badly. But I'd probably do it again for a special occasion

They shouldn't damage your nails, just don't pick them off!

I'm a former biter and have had gel nails for about six months now. They look great, but my nails are really thin now. It's a vicious circle. Gel nails make them nice and tough, but without gel they are prone to splitting and breaking so I have them done again. Once this lot are gone, I'll probably concentrate on getting my nails strong and healthy and save the gel for special occasions only.

If you struggle with thin nails you can use a builder gel under your gel colour. I've had this for a couple of years now and my nails have gone from being really thin and bendy to super strong.

Agree with pp though, my nails are so good with the gel that I think I'm now at the point where I will never not have it on (but that's OK with me, my nails are happy and I get an hour of me time every 3 weeks!)

I do my own have done for years, would never go back to normal nail varnish, go for it op !

Choosing a nail tech who uses builder gel is a game-changer. The builder goes on first which adds a layer of strength, and then the gel colour goes on top.
Crucially, when you have them redone, your tech will use an electric file to remove the colour from the builder gel, and then just fill in the regrowth with more builder. No soaking off. My nails have honestly never been so good.

@RunAwayNow are your nails strong because they always have this builder gel on, or are they actually growing stronger? If the latter then I need that!!!

So many replies, thank you!

I'm too crack-handed to paint my own and always have been.

I'll give it a go for a treat. I couldn't afford to make it a continuous thing anyway. Sounds like I should be ok to do it infrequently.