Any nail techs on here? Gels not lasting

[MissCharleyP]

I used to have acrylic nails for years. Got sick of the fake look and decided to go for gel polish. Had Gelish done and was chuffed, until....after about 3 times it started to lift/chip/peel. I was going to the same person in the same salon, had all the proper stuff/lamp etc. She was as surprised as me but suggested Biosculpture as it’s a bit thicker so harder-wearing. Great. All fine, until the same thing happens again after a few times.

Moved away, found a new salon. Had Shellac and same again. Tried Shellac with Brisa, same again. I’ve had Jessica Geleration, the Gel Bottle, OPI Gel. I have had acrylics again in between as I was fed up of paying up to £30 for less than a weeks worth of wear. Even if the salons would fix it, I don’t have time to keep going every few days.

What can I do? Are my nails just not suitable for gel polish? I had a break of a few months and my nails seemed OK so I started going to a new salon and same as always. I go to the same tech, check they have all the correct stuff but after 3/4 applications it only lasts a matter of days. My DH also hates the look of acrylics but I hate my natural nails. Help!

Gel polish isn't for everyone. If you've ruled out any chemicals and creams, always wear gloves and follow the aftercare advice, apply cuticle oil everyday etc then the only solution is a harder wearing nail coating.
Something like a builder gel underneath might work although it sounds like you've tried that. Acrylics seem to be your best option. Go to a decent salon though, when done properly they look beautiful and are non damaging. Look for someone trained by one of the big companies like CND.

Are you hard on your hands? Do you wash up without gloves etc?

Mine stopped lasting and I complained to the owner. She started to cure them longer (60 seconds not 45)and they lasted for a full three weeks after that.

VincentVanGoughandhisear Not particularly hard I wouldn’t have said. I do a fair bit of cash handling at work but not as much as if I were in a shop and in a till all the time. I do wash my hands quite a lot (we have a dog) at home but only had dog a few months.

Shitonthebloodything I have tried a builder gel and followed everything I’m told. Might have skipped oil the odd day but that’s it. I used to use a couple of really good salons for acrylic where I used to live but have found it difficult here to find somewhere that’s open convenient hours as I work shifts. I’ll have to try and look again as I don’t think my nails are strong enough for gel polish.

OMGshefoundmeout I have an appointment tomorrow so I’ll ask them if they think that will help. It’s supposed to be soak off and new set but there’s not much left to soak off as nails have snapped and most lifted 😫. I removed them myself last weekend. I know it’s not a good idea but I can’t bear them looking scruffy and chipped.

Are you using a proper nail oil like cnd solar oil?.

Vitamin E nail oil improved mine
(So did doing the dishes with gloves on)

Iv been a nail tech for 7 years. It sounds as though you have an oily nail bed and gel nails won't stick to an oily nail bed, this is why they won't apply the gel after a manicure or pedicure as the nail is moist and it'll hold the oils for atLeast 24 hours. I can only suggest to tell the lady's your using to dry the nail bed with acitone before they apply the base coat and maybe try cnd shellac as iv worked with this for a few years and never had a problem even with oily nails! If not just stick to a nice base coat (nailtiques) as it's a treatment also to get stronger an healthier nails an then regular polish on top. Looks just the same if applied right x

Could be that your nails are not being prepped properly? I have acrylics and have recently move salons as my nails were lifting after 3 days. New salon mentioned the nail prep and this set has been much better. Could be that your nails are just not suited to gels? I have tried gels but my nails are so weak and bendy:(

I have calgel and it doesn't budge. Might be worth trying?

I’ve used all sorts of oils; off he top of my head I’ve used CND solar oil, an Essie one and one from a twisty pen/brush that I can’t remember the name of.

They are definitely prepped properly Glitterb as they’re OK for the first few times and I know other people who’ve used the same salons and never had an issue. I do think it’s just my nails unfortunately 😔. Normal varnish never lasted (I’m talking hours, not days) even when I was younger and had no damage from acrylics or anything. My mum, despite being on several medications and having thyroid problems has nails that varnish or gel lasts forever on!

I will ask them to do that when I go tomorrow Sweetpeach3, I feel bad as they’re so lovely.

Someone else recommended Calgel Baxdream, there aren’t many places round here that do hard gels but I’ll try widening my search.