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Original poster

My nails have been murdered by Shellac - what can I do?

31 replies

TizzyDongue · 13/02/2017 18:31

Got a Shellac at Christmas. First ever one.

After it was removed (January) my nails started breaking - so I cut them shorter. But they still are breaking - ones just broken so they it's now shorter than my fingertip. (And is sore.)

Theres still a few mm of the buffered nail left to go on all fingers - so I can see that breaking too

Is there anything I can do!!?

OP posts:
ImLadybird · 13/02/2017 18:36

What a shame. A nail and cuticle oil should help, or even simply olive oil or coconut oil. Just rub it in a couple of times a day. They should recover quite quickly then.

hunans · 13/02/2017 18:36

OPI Nail Envy.

tshirtsuntan · 13/02/2017 18:37

Solar oil is great for this.

Original poster
TizzyDongue · 13/02/2017 18:40

I've been using cuticle oil (forgot to mention!).

I get the feeling I'm just going to have to wait it out. Usually have decent nails too.

OP posts:
hunans · 13/02/2017 18:45

Was it proper Shellac? Was it applied and removed properly? It can weaken the nail but after one application and removal it shouldn't totally destroy them.

Original poster
TizzyDongue · 13/02/2017 18:48

Yes it was.

OP posts:
Zampa · 13/02/2017 18:50

I can only have Shellac done once every 3 months as it wrecks my nails. In between, I keep my nails short, moisturise them and wait ...

CurbsideProphet · 13/02/2017 18:52

Mine were weakened after I had OPI gel and she buffed them roughly and excessively. I've been using CND oil and Sally Hansen Miracle Growth. I find OPI Nail Envy peels off.

I kept mine short and waited for the weakness to grow out. It probably took a good 6 weeks for mine to recover, but they're fine now.

hollyisalovelyname · 13/02/2017 18:53

Mine were done 5 months ago and are still not right. Sad
I put oil on them every evening.

MrsMeeseeks · 13/02/2017 19:21

I am having to grow out the damage wreaked on my toenails by a shellac pedicure. I think I've got another 6 months to go Sad. Lots of nail oil, massaged in daily, keep them short, be patient.

Jammygal · 13/02/2017 19:23

Mine weren't right for a year after having them .....never again!
They will get stronger I promise 😀

dementedpixie · 13/02/2017 19:26

How did they remove them? Did they use acetone, cotton pads and foil or did they use a buffer file? The first way is the correct way and the second will ruin your nails

burnishedsilver · 13/02/2017 19:31

Mine have been done 3 times, in 3 different salons that were recommended by friends. It was removed correctly each time.

It took 6 months for the finger nails to recover. Longer for the toes. Nothing really helps. You just have to grow it out. Lesson learned :-(

Kirriemuir · 13/02/2017 19:35

I have mine done every 2 weeks. Never had a problem.

GlennRheeismyfavourite · 13/02/2017 19:44

I agree with previous posters who say it's just time. I had mine done for my wedding in July, had them removed properly and had to wait for the nail to grow out entirely to get back to normal (probably 4-5 months). My nails are perfect and strong again now. I would NEVER have this done again!!

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/02/2017 19:46

You don't buff for shellac, so I doubt it was genuine shellac from CND.

You have to buff for gel polish though.

Chewbecca · 13/02/2017 19:48

I also have to wait for the entire nail to grow out, my finger nails really don't like it, they are so weak for several months. My toenails don't mind it though, but the benefits are not so big on my toes and it is so much more ££ for application and removal, I've given up.

schnubbins · 14/02/2017 09:00

I had my nails done in September for a holiday and a wedding .They looked lovely had them removed professionally in November and my nails were ruined .They split continually the whole way down and sorting washing was a nightmare.My nails are only now back at their proper strength.Never again.

StrawberryShortcake32 · 14/02/2017 09:06

Take daily biotin supplement. Get hold of some nailtiques in 2 plus. It's a little bit pricey but will help massively with the strength of your natural nails and will eventually (if used regulaly) make your nails virtually unbreakable. I have to really push hard with the clippers to cut them down now.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/02/2017 15:30

If you go to have CND shellac & they try to buff your nails ask them not to.

Correct application dictates no buffing for CND shellac, because it needs a strong healthy nail to attach to, when you buff it makes the nail thinner so its actually counter productive.

Unless it's knock off gel. There's colours available online that have been discontinued for years.

cnd.com/pdf/Step%20by%20Steps%20(including%20Shellac)/ShellacSBSUpdate_REV.pdf This is the correct application and removal. No buffing, no scraping it off with an orange stick.

Ifonlyiweretaller · 14/02/2017 18:10

I have shellac every 2 to 3 weeks and my nails are fine. Cotton wool soaked in acetone, nail wrapped in foil then it scrapes off easily. Therapist always treats the nails before re-applying shellac but i have never had a problem. On the 2 occasions I wont have OPI as the twice I have done it has reeally damaged my nails.

Original poster
TizzyDongue · 14/02/2017 19:55

I didn't get another shellac - my friend who uses the place I went to and gets reapplied every two weeks doesn't have any problems either.

I got it removed in a different place, but it was the wrap/tinfoil way.

OP posts:
ohgoshIdontknow · 14/02/2017 19:59

If you have Shellac all the time (every fortnight or so), you will think your nails are fine.

It's when you stop having it for a bit that you see the damage. I've recently quit having Shellac for that reason and am so happy to be growing my nails out so they can be strong again.

Also I'm concerned about the possible cancer risk from the UV light. So it's back to normal polish for me!

twilightcafe · 14/02/2017 20:03

Shellac ruined my nails when I went to a salon where it was removed with an electric buffer. It took months for my nails to get back to normal.
Since then, I've had my shellac done about once a month at a salon where it's soaked off properly and my nails are fine.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/02/2017 20:20

www.skininc.com/treatments/cosmetics/Study-Finds-UV-Nail-Lamps-Do-Not-Cause-Cancer-222524161.html

Don't worry about the lamps, if they were that strong the pink pigments in the shellac would actually fade to white because it's unstable under UV light.

If you go under a tanning bed the pink will fade but there 2kw, a proper CND lamp is 36w and the new led ones are only on 3minutes 10 seconds because the mirror inside it pin points the light.

I'm not a fan of tin foil/cotton wool. It's a cheap way of doing it because a lot of techs are scared to charge for removal. Pure acetone is quite drying, CND nourishing remover contains macadamia oil to condition the nail plus it stops the acetone evaporating so it actually works faster.

The trouble is that this is an unregulated industry, you can buy fake shellac everywhere & cheap acetone at places that don't ask for your insurance/qualifications before you purchase.

It's poor techniques and counterfeit products that are doing damage & it reflects badly on all of us.

My niece has had her nails buffed so much in the past that her nails have been sore under the lamp, there's no heat receptors on the nail bed so if it gets that sore you're nails are actually screaming at you to stop.