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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Gel polish drilled off!

38 replies

typingcake · 22/05/2022 14:19

Hello - this is my first AIBU

I’ve been feeling pretty down a lot recently and one thing I’ve been trying to do is be kinder to myself and treat myself now and then.

for the first time I went to get shellac/gel nails. The woman in the salon said this would help me grow them and it has. But when I went back to get it off (booked as a soak off) and a new colour applied… she used a drill and drilled it off. There was no soaking! I said this at the time and she asked if it hurt and I said no and she said it was fine then.

I had 4 lots of gel Colour there over 2 months with it drilled off each time and after a really painful nail I asked for a regular polish. I got the soak off that day. And a regular polish applied.

Straight away I noticed one of my nails is extremely thin to the point it was constantly bending and it has eventually broken.

I've just taken the regular polish off all nails after 8 days and my nails are an absolute state. Different thicknesses all over with some dents, slashes and dimples and my right thumbnail appears to have a full layer of the gel base coat still on it. Plus’s they are horribly dry.

I've never had my nails done before so I just don’t know if this is a professional service or not?

AIBU to think I’ve been getting dodgy service?

OP posts:
dolphinsarentcommon · 22/05/2022 14:22

I had this OP. My nails were ruined. I had to wear ordinary nail polish in neutral colours for months to disguise what looked like a nasty fungal disease. Just awful

I should have gone back and created merry hell but it was also during other stuff and I couldn't face the hassle

crosbystillsandmash · 22/05/2022 14:24

Definitely don't go back!
I have gels every 3 weeks, have done for years and my nails are in really good condition.
Soaking off is much much kinder and the one time someone drilled them off it bloody hurt!!!

Travis1 · 22/05/2022 14:25

Was it an NSS? Drills in themselves aren’t bad, however they shouldn’t use a heavy drill right down to the nail. It should only be used to break the top layer of polish and then foils/cotton pads/remover be used to break the remaining product down and then tools used to scrape the product off. Occasionally my nail tech will
use a very fine drill to tidy my nails but generally after the foils come off it’s all hand tools.

miroo · 22/05/2022 14:28

I have gel nails, admittedly I do them myself now so soak them off. Drills, in untrained, careless hands will destroy your nails. Prior to lockdown I went to a beauty salon to have them done - no drills used.

Your nails need to recover from the damage, plenty of cuticle oil and a nail strengther will help.

SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 22/05/2022 14:33

Don't go back. Tell her why you won't use her again

1 you expected a soak off and she ignored that
2 she was heavy handed with the drill.

Find another place and ask them to help protect your nails until they have grown through. It won't take too long but you will need to take care of them for a while.

Loopytiles · 22/05/2022 14:35

Does sound poor but gel and shellac are inherently bad for nails, eg preventing the nails absorbing as much oxygen.

Ninspeedles · 22/05/2022 14:37

I was told the same many time that shellac/ gels help the nails grow and keep them in good condition

Absolute lies in my case! Same as you OP my nails were paper thin and tearing apart.

I now leave them well alone!

SevenSeedsOfRye · 22/05/2022 14:41

Loopytiles · 22/05/2022 14:35

Does sound poor but gel and shellac are inherently bad for nails, eg preventing the nails absorbing as much oxygen.

Nails so not absorb oxygen from the air.

Any oxygen or nutrients they need are delivered through the bloodstream.

OP, I had this happen to me once and it took months to grow out the dents on all ten nails.
Definitely don’t go back.

BrunoMadrigal · 22/05/2022 14:45

I’ve been getting gel nails for years. A few months ago I started going somewhere new and they use the drill to remove, which I had never had before despite doing my nails every 3 weeks for years (apart from lockdown).

Found it strange but assumed they were just saving time so I didn’t question it. My nails are now very thin and bendy, exactly how you described. So I’m sure it was the regular drilling that did this as I have never had this issue before. I’ve not had my nails done in 6 weeks now so it can grow stronger before I do them again, and I’m certainly not going back to that place!

QueenieMum · 22/05/2022 14:49

I had this too, in my case it was shellac every 2-3 weeks. Not a problem in itself but they left bits of gel on my nails and eventually it was too difficult for them to remove and they over filed and over soaked my nails attempting to remove it (no drill though). My nails were paper thin.

I found a local nail tech who used the IBX repair gel - best thing I ever did. My nail tech takes care to remove my gel polish in a gentle way, no over filing or soaking for 15 mins. My nails are the best they've ever been.

It's not what you put on your nails necessarily but the way it's removed. I hope you find someone who can help you. I have used OPI nail strengthener and that was good if you don't want to go to a salon. IMO using a drill to remove nail polish down to the nail itself is a huge no no and I wouldn't be going back.

Nat6999 · 22/05/2022 15:03

Gel can be just filed with a manual file to break the surface & then soaked off or use the brush on gel remover & gently scraped off. You would be better off buying a gel kit & doing them yourself at home, there are lots of kits that include the lamp & remover for not much more than the price of one set of salon nails.

tonystarksrighthand · 22/05/2022 15:10

The result of many shellacs.

I even had an operation on that, fucked forever. Still hurts 10 years later.

Gel polish drilled off!
Original poster
typingcake · 22/05/2022 19:46

im so sorry this happened to uou 😥

OP posts:
Original poster
typingcake · 22/05/2022 19:48

Thanks everyone. I’m going to stop going there and try and recover my nails myself. I’ve got some cuticle oil I’ve put on a few times already. Problem is, they look so scabby and I have an important face to face meeting tomorrow 😞 might have to paint them myself and hope I do an ok job!

OP posts:
Nowisthemonthofmaying · 22/05/2022 19:53

I second the recommendation to do your own - the equipment costs about the same as two manicures so it works out much cheaper! I use peel-off base coat so no filing or soaking and my nails are in very good condition.

ManateeFair · 22/05/2022 19:55

They shouldn’t be using a drill to remove gel like that!

When I had gels they always roughed up the surface with either a drill or a normal file and then soaked them off in those foil wraps. Then they’d remove any residue, usually with a little scraper thing and a buffer.

I stopped having gels because they did damage my nails and a couple of techs were over-zealous with the buffing you need to do to help the polish adhere. Now I have Nugenesis dip-powder instead and my nails are honestly in great condition underneath; it just seems gentler for some reason. There is drilling involved but not really on the bare nail.

mistermagpie · 22/05/2022 19:55

This happened to me. I had my nails done at Christmas (gel) after literally never even wearing nail varnish for about ten years. I booked to have it soaked off and they just drilled it. Because I don't ever get my nails done I wasn't sure what was normal to be honest, but my nails were ruined. It's now nearly June and I'm still growing out the damage from those Christmas nails! Never again.

EmeraldShamrock1 · 22/05/2022 19:58

Yes it is a revolutionary technique and far better than soak off.

I love the speed, besides they're not drilling the nail just sanding the old polish.

userxx · 22/05/2022 19:58

@tonystarksrighthand Jesus! I didn't realise it could cause that much damage. I feel for you, constant pain gets you down massively.

EmeraldShamrock1 · 22/05/2022 20:00

I did do my own shellac, now I have build up gel on my own nail they look much better.
I couldn't manage build up at home.

WhereTheWildlingsLive · 22/05/2022 20:05

Nowisthemonthofmaying · 22/05/2022 19:53

I second the recommendation to do your own - the equipment costs about the same as two manicures so it works out much cheaper! I use peel-off base coat so no filing or soaking and my nails are in very good condition.

I love the sound of peel off base coat! Having to have my nails soaked is what's stopped me having them dinner professionally up till now!

Can I ask Where you got your equipment, and whether you use gel or shellac? Would actually love to do my own but wouldn't know where to start!

pupstress · 22/05/2022 20:09

I've had exactly the same and my nail is visibly thinner at the top compared with the re growth. I've been bugging them and putting nail strengthening stuff on but I'm really out off gel nails now. My nails are fooked

AiryFairyLights · 22/05/2022 20:56

typingcake · 22/05/2022 19:48

Thanks everyone. I’m going to stop going there and try and recover my nails myself. I’ve got some cuticle oil I’ve put on a few times already. Problem is, they look so scabby and I have an important face to face meeting tomorrow 😞 might have to paint them myself and hope I do an ok job!

@typingcake and everyone else here who seems to have had a negative experience with nail technicians.
I am a nail tech and the CORRECT procedure for removing gel polish with an e-file (commonly called a nail drill) is to ONLY remove the top polish, not going through the base coat and this never ever going near your natural nail!
There’s two things your nail tech is doing wrong if you are suffering with thin nails after gel polish - over filing during the prep of the nail (should only be bUffed lightly to scratch the surface for good adhesion) or incorrect removal such as over filing when removing and going beyond the base layer
Soaking nails in acetone to remove is still a way to remove BUT over time this can cause problems with your skin around your finger nails and make you more prone to contact dermatitis/irritant reaction/thick callouses etc.
I have ladies who have their nails done every 3 to 4 weeks and use the e-file to remove and redo.
Its honestly not the process that’s the problem it’s the person carrying out that process and many nail techs simply haven’t done the correct training using an e file to do so without causing any damage.
Always ask your nail tech if they have had extra training for using the file and if they haven’t ask them to do the soak off method.
If they refuse, leave and find someone who will.
Ask friends and family for recommendations.
If going somewhere you don’t know, Google them and check out reviews etc.
Any genuine nail tech will be only too happy to point you in the right direction of their reviews, pictures of their work and let you SEE their qualifications.
Don’t be afraid to call and ask what system they use etc too.
Hope some of that has helped and I really hope you find decent nail techs (who are out there) who care about their work and your nails.
Feel free to ask me if there’s anything you’re not sure of x

AiryFairyLights · 22/05/2022 21:05

Sorry I forgot to add @typingcake
Sally Hansen is the best for either a strong top coat or I’m sure she does a recovery one and hard as nails one.
for your one on one tomorrow, if you can, use a good base and top coat with your colour and always use non acetone for removal.
Dont just use cuticle oil too - include a good hand moisturiser.
Your nails get all they need from the blood vessels in your nail bed and fingers so concentrate on moisturising your fingers too x

motogirl · 22/05/2022 21:08

I have acrylics, they are soaked off

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