Nail technician left me in so much pain

[Eurydice84]

I paid for a Shellac removal (ironically, so that I wouldn't damage my nails). The nail technician used an electric file and not only cut the skin around my nails, she also damaged the nail beds. I am left with red, raw, throbbing nails (photo attached). It hurts to squeeze things and even wash my hands. I contacted the salon and they seemed very casual about this, "pop in tomorrow and let us have a look". I am livid (and in so much pain). I feel I should ask for some sort of compensation or at least treatment to make things better, but I am not sure what to say exactly - I am terrified of them touching my hands again!

I’d say they should give you your money back for that treatment. But if they put you in actual pain I don’t know you’d want a free treatment?

Yeah I would definitely go in and complain! The proper method for removal is soak off not electric file it off along with half of your nail 🙄

Ah no, she has massively over filed, and made the red areas on your nails too thin. This can be incredibly painful. I’m really against the electric files being used on natural nails. Shellac also shouldn’t need it.

Unfortunately there’s not much you can do now, other than allow your nails to heal. I would avoid any kind of nail enhancements for a few months. You will find if you put your nails in any kind of lamp for curing, they will seriously burn, until the thin areas grow out.

I’m so sorry that this happened. I definitely would be requesting a refund. Possibly get a second opinion somewhere else too, if it would make you feel more prepared to argue for one if you have to.

Ouch. Definitely avoid anything requiring the curing lamp until the thin nails have grown out 😞

There is nothing wrong with using an electric file - she's just way over-done it. I have mine filed off every time and the only time they looked like this is the first time I did it myself, and I soon learned!

These will hurt like hell and the first time curing is painful too. I kept mine covered as they were thin and were fine after a few weeks.

They definitely should be refunding you plus an added gesture as apology.

Bloody hell, that's shocking - she's way, way over-filed there. You shouldn't need to file off shellac - they're supposed to scuff up the surface of the shellac, then soak them with remover under foil wraps, then carefully scrape off what's left and just gently buff them.

I'm actually wondering if they also over-buffed them before they put the shellac on as well.

Definitely go back in and complain and get a refund. I wouldn't ask them for further treatments because clearly they have terrible standards, but I might suggest they throw in something like a free bottle of CND Rescue RXX to soothe and strengthen your poor nails.

I really sympathise - I had a nail tech damage just one of my nails like this and it was so sore, so you must be really suffering with these :(

Ouch OP! They need to give you a refund

I’m a veteran nail salon customer and no, an electric file doesn’t need to be used on shellac so that was their first mistake. Secondly, when the technician I’m currently using uses one to remove the nail builder gel she needs to be super careful to avoid nicking the skin around the nail - it’s super painful when they do catch it! And secondly, it really is meant to be only used to take the top off, and then the rest should be soaked off. An electric file should never be used down to actual nail level. I’m really sorry you’ve been left in so much pain. Definitely don’t have anything else requiring curing put on them. That will cause even more pain!

Go to the doctor, get evidence, threaten to sue, settle out of court

I'm a nail Technician.

E-files shouldn't be used to remove gel polish. It's too harsh on the natural nail.

Going forward - use cuticle oil daily, keep your nails short (where your nails have been thinned out they'll snap as soon as they reach the free edge) until all of the damage has grown out (expect a couple of months for this), go back to the salon and ask for a refund and if this is refused as for their insurance details to make a claim.

Ffs 🙄

Update: I went back to the salon yesterday. A different lady had a look at my poor nails and then tried to justify the carnage saying "ah some people are more sensitive than others". I didn't take this b*shit and complained a lot. In the end she agreed to put some strengthening oil and normal polish colour (not gel) for free.

I’m trained in nails and shellac doesn’t need to be removed with an e-file. It’s normally soaked off with acetone. Saying that I do use an e-file on myself to remove gel polish all the time (sensitive skin so don’t like to overdo the acetone), and this damage is just not normal. I use the e- file on the lowest setting and very carefully remove the colour of the gel stopping once I see the nail beneath.

keep them short until they grow out. Use OPI nail envy to strengthen your nails and make them more comfortable as they grow out the damage. Avoid having gel on them for now. And apply cuticle oil every night.

Also wear gloves to do washing up or cleaning, washing up liquid and cleaning chemicals can really dry out the nails and make them brittle.

I had shellac put back on mine after a few days of suffering. You might find you need a bit of extra strength to use your fingers

Did you not say anything at the time if you were unhappy with the procedure she was using?

I winced a few times because it was hurting, but it was hard to know the procedure would be so damaging. I have had electric files used in the past and this never happened. The nail technician was obviously poorly trained.

Good point, I always try and do that regardless

You have really nice nails. I'd just leave them alone/natural until they've healed.

Years ago I used to use a nail treatment by Malava - I think it was this - www.mavala.com/en/901-mavaderma

There was also a nail cream in a pot.

Both of them are meant to make nails grow more quickly - although how much is simply down to the massage and increased circulation I don't know. I will say it seemed to make my nails look healthier and stronger.

For these though you can't wear nail varnish as they have to be used directly on the nail itself.

Personally I think they should refund you and give you some money or something to make up for it. It obviously is a complete hack job and has gone wrong.

About five years ago I went to a salon for a bikini wax, the first time I'd ever gone. I was treated by a trainee who was about 17. I was in there an hour while she went over and over and over. The next day I woke up with the worse bruising I'd ever seen. It looked like blood had pooled below my skin. It was purple. Honestly, it was shocking. I didn't want to go back or set foot in that place so I just left it, however I wish I HAD gone back and showed them/the manager what had happened. I spoke to them on the phone and they tried to play it off as normal. It really wasn't. Places shouldn't get away with stuff like this, it's damaging, and they've damaged your nails. I hope it only takes a couple of months for them to grow back.