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?

I have just remembered that tomorrow is Comic Relief and at DS's school the kids are allowed nail varnish (the school must think it's ok!) and 'crazy' hair colour - I will think of this thread when I'm doing a manicure on a 6 year old tonight!

Just having gel nails once destroyed my nails for months so can’t believe you’d even consider it for a 5 year old!

Might as well give her a face full of make up and some eyelash extensions while you’re there!

This. The chemicals and treatment processes are absolutely not appropriate for 5 year old skin and any nail bar that accepted a 5 year old as a client should be closed down.

They’re characters clothes for… Disney.. not crop tops and daisy dukes 😭

At five? Jeez. And regular polish, is there any need?

Not really.. OP is coming back to the posts that are branding her a bad mother. Not insisting that she will give DD gel nails, I think she got the advice she was after.

You are joking, please tell me you are joking...

Couldn’t agree more. She is a child! Please get some perspective.

Not sure if you know this, but gel nail Polish can cause allergies. Allergies that make people allergic to the metals used in surgery and dental treatment and can cause problems in the future. I believe gel nails will be banned at some point because of this. I would never have them and I'm amazed how little they are regulated.

She's still not a Barbie doll, despite your sarcasm.

I don’t think she does.. I very, very rarely have my nails done.. I don’t even regular polish my own nails inbeteeen my gels for special occasions. I literally probably do my own nails twice a year, maybe 3 times? 😅 otherwise.. I’m a nail biter/picker.

I am really surprised that a five year is into make up, hair and nails yes! No judgment at all, but I am a bit surprised. My daughter is only 3 though so maybe I have a surprise to come! She does like a nice hair clip.

I will say though that if as pp says there is a risk of nail bed injury, I wouldn’t risk it at all. I had a nail bed injury a few years ago and it’s awful, still struggling with it.

I don't think the pile on is necessary.

The question was should I do gels, to which I answered no.

The rest of it, including the suitcase full of clothes, which so many people are focusing on, is irrelevant.

We all buy our children things they don't "need", so the to question someone else about it is disingenuous.

Who doesn't buy their children holiday clothes? I do.

I’ve let my 8 and 10yo have gel nails done in a salon before. It was a one off. Nails grow. No drama

Please go back and RTFT.. I said about 4 posts in fair enough I’ll stick to her regular polish. Im
not going to not paint her nails with her kids polish just because some MN think it’s absolutely appalling that a 5 year old might like having some glitter on her nails from time to time.

I’ve said; bad idea on the gels. It was just a question. I’m not defending doing it.. I’m not just defending my 5 year for liking what she likes 😂

Why because you don’t like hearing the truth so feel the need to negate others.

OP your child is five. The poster here is 100% right. It’s about perspective and you inability to understand what you have even asked in the first place.

Five year olds don’t need pageant things - hair makeup and nails. This is how sexualisation of a child starts. Your thought process is that because she didn’t ask it’s okay as you are a responsible mum but your thinking is flawed. You shouldn’t even be entertaining this idea.

She probably won’t mind getting drawn into the discussion given she paints her 6 year old son’s nails, though I’m not sure how enlightening her contribution would be. Its always the same type of parents who love to show off that little Jimmy just loves wearing their tutu to Waitrose - sooo cool and right on.

Op I wouldn’t do it. I think the products people have linked that are aimed at children would be better to be on the safe side.

Some of the replies on here are so OTT though - I’m not a “girly” type, but if my daughter liked these things I wouldn’t be worried about her future prospects of becoming a pilot being thwarted lol calm down.

I don't!

Jesus the pearl clutching on here sometimes 😆

It’s fine. It’s fun. Why not? Her nails aren’t going to dissolve overnight and be forever ruined.

I wouldn't do gels - but some "standard" polish with a few pretty nail art stickers (like tiny stars or something), or doing the Mickey Mouse thing with three dots from one of those nail dotty things I would do.

They don't tend to work on children, not enough grip on their soft nails according to my nail tech. My 14yo wanted them and she wouldn't do it. Everywhere I asked had a no under 16 policy. Removing them could also be painful and I wouldn't want the risk of her hurting herself by breaking one.

absolutely not children nails are very delicate. just paint her nails with nail varnish (the Rimmel 60 second varnish is good and easy to remove)

I always have gel nails, and they absolutely do weaken your nails

especially when you are not used to having gel nails (extensions or not) they can be ripped off which is extremely painful and can cause lasting damage

FFS....she is 5 and going to Disney.......not a 25 year old bride to be! Not ok for her to have gel nails!

I'm also not a "girlie type" but I do get my nails done every three weeks - despite the fact I've just been sat here dismantling a machine at my desk and am now grimy as fuck.