Nails wrecked by Shelac/Gel - what should I do?

[orangeplum]

I used to have lovely strong nails that grew well. When I went in for a polish before Christmas they persuaded me to get Shelac. It was lovely. I then got it replaced so had gel nail polish on for about 5-6 weeks in total.

Whilst it was on both my thumb nails ripped about half way up and my nails are all ripped, rough edged, soft, really dry with almost white blotchy bits. They are in bad condition for the first time ever and they feel dry and rough to touch.

Any recommendations to get them back to their old healthy self.

Gel does that to me.
Okay at the time but my nails are in bits after.

File them right down & start again.
Use almond oil on the nail & cuticles.

Rub oil into them as often as you can. Can't remember the type sorry but someone will be along soon who can.

Other than that, you just have to wait until they grow out - or rather the end parts. I can only ever have two runs of gels at a time, for the same problem, and then have to give them a rest for a couple of months, whilst they grow out and the splits are trimmed off and they've had time to strengthen.

I have permanent splits down 2 of my nails since having gel nails. Using oil and strengthener helps but can't solve that problem.

CND Solar oil is really good.

Gel does this to me too; I think it's the removal that causes the damage. I just deal with it by never having naked nails! I remove and re-apply my gel at the same time, continually.

I use a nail buffer (not a really coarse file though) to smooth the rough bits out and the uneven texture of the nail surface, I then use a smidge of coconut oil on each nail. Usually problem is sorted after a few days...
Was the gel polish taken off properly OP? Often my nails only get in a state if I pick at it, if I remove it with an acetone wrap then they’re nowhere near as bad.

I bought the Sally Hansen miracle grow nail strengthener, and paint that on every few days. Seems to help a bit but really I’m just going to have to grow them out.

I get regular gel manicures and as the gel grows out I put solar oil on the regrowth area. It keeps my nails nice and strong.

I had the same thing with shellac. I'm leaving mine bare for a while, and using the CND Solar oil along with Nailtiques nail hardener (as recommended by my nail technician friend). They are starting to look better, but I think I'm going to be saving shellac/gel for holidays only from now on and not leave them on for too long.

I switched from shellac to Calgel. I've never had such long strong nails in my life. Game changer

Gel does this to me too, it took 6 months for the damage from my last gel manicure to go away. OPI do a treatment called Nail Envy which is quite good, I think they sell it in Boots too.

Now I just use regular Essie polish with Seche Vite topcoat, it obviously doesn’t last as long as gels but I usually get a week without chipping.

It's the buffing that damages nails & if the techs impatient and uses an orange stick to scrape it off that damages.

Gel/shellac etc are all as harmful as nail polish ie not damaging.

The white patches are troughs or craters. An application of IBX restores nails. It costs extra to apply but fills the damaged areas.

Hi

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I did get it removed properly with nail wraps but they were in a rush so pushed the last bits off with a metal scraper.

I will get some oil and one of the treatments suggested.

Here is to them growing back quickly and healthily!