5 year old gel nails - is just once ok?

[ChronicallyOnLime]

God I don’t want to sound like an awful mother because I know gels can weaken nails.. but will one time be ok?

We’re off to Disneyland next week as a surprise for DD and she is utterly obsessed with having her nails done, we always use regular polish for her but they never last more than a day or two. I do my own gels at home for special occasions and I’m wondering whether I could do it on DD just for our trip?

I can avoid filing her nails surface as it’s not necessarily being done for that much longevity as you would an adult. But I’m just wondering if it’s still a terrible idea?

She's going to be a fun teenager

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65273991

Also, nice that you want to give your kids so much, but you risk putting them on what is called the hedonistic treadmill where they get so blasé about stuff that they neither appreciate it nor enjoy it and nothing is ever enough.

Honestly. Kids magazines often come with polish, there are tonnes of them in the kids sections in toy shops. Mum has her nails done. It's not a crime for little girls to be 'girly'. Mine is obsessed too and whilst I'd never give her gel polish, I find the MN obsession with "crush down your kids interests as they shouldn't ever enjoy things that are feminine" just bizarre.

I would just say 1) it’s going to be hard to say no if she asks again in future if you’ve set a precedent 2) does it matter if they chip after a couple of days at her age? 3) I’d be embarrassed to let them grow out and for her teachers etc to know she has gel on her nails.

just some other considerations outside of the H&S aspect.

Because this is probably going to be the biggest holiday of her childhood; or maybe just because I can afford to, and want to treat my children because it makes me happy to see them happy?

someone also mentioned treating my children like a doll 😩😩 please someone with another 5 year old girly girl back me up here. The girl treats me like a damn doll! You know how many times a week I’m asked to sit quietly like I’m plastered in blue eyeshadow against my will?!

Poor child. Let her be a child and stop influencing her.

Jonbenet Ramsey vibes...

I’m honestly not surprised your daughter isn’t into hair or nails when you’ve just dragged my child down for it… could make this up honestly.

I have a 5 year old daughter. I cannot imagine her nails painted. Leave alone gel. She’s far too busy playing, sports and activities to even contemplate that her nails are things that need anything except clipping by daddy once in a while!

I knew exactly what you meant OP but I’m unsurprised you’ve been jumped on. I wouldn’t do it because of the allergy risk and the fact it might hurt/damage her nails if they peel off. Could you take some kiddie nail varnish with you (the type that’s like PVA glue and peels off easily) so you can just quickly redo it each evening when you’re away? My 5yo DD loves that stuff, shame she’ll never be a pilot because of it but you can’t have everything.

are people genuinely that surprised that a 5 year old girl is into hair, makeup and nails?

Hell, yes.

I'm glad you've decided against gels. Speaking as an adult with very weak nails (but probably still stronger than those of a 5 yo) and a penchant for gels, my nails sting to fuck whenever I put them under the UV lamp to dry.

I don’t think there are any circumstances I would put any type of polish on a 5 year old.

Once can be enough to cause a lot of damage. Took over a year for mine to recover after a professional salon did mine for a wedding. Years later I tried again with the same result, different salon.

Really not worth the risk on a five year old. Can you get some Disney sparkly nail transfers?

agreed. The hysteria 😂

The biggest risk will be she becomes sensitive to acrylates and develops an allergy. Exposure often causes it and more likely on such sensitive skin. It being applied by a non professional ups the risk. Acrylates are often used in medical devices so it's really best you don't.

Get a good quick dry top coat for her normal polish.
Does she bite at the polish? If so avoid normal polish too.

You have an entire lifetime to be worrying over her unhealthy fixations on her image and how good parts of her body look compared to her peers. Just go and get her some Barbie stickers or something.

I'm in the beauty industry. I would NOT ever recommend any type of nail polish or gels to an under 12/13. Their nails are very thin at her age and much much much more flexible. You risk permanently damaging her nsil bed or a severe even early aquire sensitivity/allergy to nail products. Further more they are not tested for children so young. The pH balance is completely unsuitable.

The only polish for children I would recommend is the natural play children's make up company one. They are vegan, non toxic and gently peel off. No need for harsh removers.

I generally avoid recommending beauty products for children so young because they are 100% unnecessary and coupled with social media plus all the crap we have to bare as women, it's potentially setting up for a whole host of self esteem issues, unrealistic expectations. But thats my personal opinion and she's your daughter so ultimately it's your choice.

No, just steer clear of this.

It's interesting you assumed I had a girl. I actually have a son although none of his female peers are into the stuff you're describing either. They are all too young to care about nails, make up and how their hair looks.

Nevertheless, you obviously don't think your unreasonable to do it so not sure why you've even bothered asking for opinions.

My DD got some nail polish when she was about 3 in a party bag, she very occaisionally has me paint them (i limit how often it's allowed, i have no issue it being a fun special event thing).

Just get some kids' glitter polish and touch up when she wants it. Gels are too harsh.

Would you like to list off all the things my 5 year old daughter is into to help reinforce the idea that because you’ve read a short thread on mumsnet questioning one-time gel polish that I am not in fact raising a tiny miss-America?

she loves: hair, makeup, nails, glitter tattoos, dressing up.. she also loves her mud kitchen, slime, arts and crafts, reading and drawing, picking up worms or slugs and helping them find a new home. her latest “when I grow up” is that she wants to be Isabella from Encanto (magically grow flowers?) -

She’s a pretty regular 5 year old tbh and I’m not entirely sure why it’s a surprise that she likes girly things 😂

If you do this and grow them out she’ll be I. Trouble at school for having gel nails.
FWIT I think it’s a bad idea- she’s 5!

& a teeny bit of lip filler & some fake lashes

I absolutely wouldn't do gel nails, but think some of the absolute pile-on on OP is very much uncalled for. I have a 6 year old who absolutely loves having their nails done, and I happily paint them. It's a nice, sweet activity that brings us both some joy. He's a boy, if that makes any difference!

As a one off I'd think it would be fine. I'd take her to a reputable salon though where they'll know about safe application. Enjoy disney!