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Original poster

Gel nails

39 replies

mycatislickingherpaw · 26/10/2019 21:25

I got my nails done and they looked awesome and the colour lasted for ages...however when I got it off my nails were ruined. Weak, scaly, brittle. I’m really keen to get the same end result but not if the reality is that I’m horribly ruining my nails.
How do people do?

OP posts:
Apolloanddaphne · 26/10/2019 21:27

I just keep getting them redone. I haven't seen my real nails for years.

ProseccoIsTheAnswerHere · 26/10/2019 21:29

how do you have them removed?

I generally only have them once in a blue moon and when they are removed I don’t do it again until they’ve grown out

HoobaHooba · 26/10/2019 21:29

Yes agree with PP. I just get them redone. Nails actually aren’t too bad after a few rounds of application/removal/new. I’d say they were worse when I used to have it done then a break for a month.

Never ever pick the gel off, always have it removed properly.

mommybear1 · 26/10/2019 21:32

Depends on the gel you go for Calgel is organic and whilst it will weaken your nails it won't destroy them. If you go for calgel and then have then off a couple of days with hand cream or Vaseline and they will be lovely. Other brands and gel will hurt the nail itself.

Maremaremare · 26/10/2019 21:41

I've had the same in the past... but the last few times I've asked them to be really gentle when they remove (gently file the surface ... it takes longer than normal) and then put the acetone(?) on some cotton wool and leave it sitting on the nails for a short period of time. Then scrape gently.

Also, try to get CND "Shellac" brand as that doesn't need the acetone to be applied for so long.

Bananashake · 26/10/2019 21:42

Did you use Cuticle oil every day? Did they only buff very lightly just to remove shine before they applied the gel polish? Did they soak off and remove carefully and gently?

Original poster
mycatislickingherpaw · 26/10/2019 21:48

😂😂😂 I was away so I removed them myself with the acetone. It wasn’t pleasant. I wonder now whether I ruined most of the nails doing so rather than the gel?

For those of you who said you always have it on, don’t you mind that the nails are not able to ‘breathe’ at all? I’m torn between having them done ‘forever’ as they looked so cool and thinking that that’s such a BAD THING for your health!
(Before I had normal varnish applied and apart from being expensive it didn’t last much at all, so gel is a real revelation for me!)

Mmm, it was a friend’s present so I don’t know what I actually got put on...

OP posts:
Original poster
mycatislickingherpaw · 26/10/2019 21:49

Cuticle oil?!? No 😳

OP posts:
Bananashake · 26/10/2019 21:53

Nails don't breathe and the removing it yourself did u buff the gel first this makes it easier to remove, and wrap the nails with foil to help with removal? When it's ready to come off it should lift off no pressure needed.

Bananashake · 26/10/2019 21:58

@Maremaremare u shouldn't have to ask them to be gentle! And when you remove gel polish the method is buff the surface gently to break the seal apply acetone soaked cotton wool wrap each finger with silver foil leave to soak for 10 mins or so it then just lifts off.

Howzaboutye · 26/10/2019 22:00

Erm no nail varnish is organic! It's all strong chemicals.
Use any oil for your nails, olive oil is great.

Bananashake · 26/10/2019 22:01

Nails should look normal after removal no dryness no flaking no separation. Over buffing prior to application and rough removal are what causes the damage not the gel polish itself.

Original poster
mycatislickingherpaw · 26/10/2019 22:01

I didn’t buff the nails as I couldn’t but did the wrap foil and acetone part - which tbh was pretty horrible because of the smell and having to be in contact with it for so long.

OP posts:
Bananashake · 26/10/2019 22:02

@Howzaboutye And yes no gel polish is organic

Yoohoo16 · 26/10/2019 22:08

You should use a rough grit file over the top of the polish to allow the acetone to penetrate.
Then wrap in cotton wool, soaked in acetone and foil.
Gel should peel off, however there is often some base coat left on the nail. This can be lightly buffed off.
Loads of oil and hand cream really helps aswell.
I’m a beauty therapist of 15 years and this is the process we use within the salon.

Original poster
mycatislickingherpaw · 26/10/2019 22:32

I think I need to give it another try and make sure that it’s taken off properly at the end, and see what happens then. Thanks all! Please let me know if you have other tips, I’m new to this — as you can see 😁

OP posts:
BeatriceTheBeast · 26/10/2019 22:41

I hate gel nails. I know other people seem to love them, but I just find them awful looking, especially when they start to grow out. I haven't found they have weakened my nails, but if I did, there is nothing would tempt me to have them. Why would I want that? Nail polish which cannot be removed without stinky acetone, which also damages my nails, which many people will say you shouldn't even remove yourself as you should pay a professional to do it? No ta! The only thing I would have added to my body, which only a professional could properly remove would be stitches 😂.

Tbf, I can't say I've ever seen them on anyone else and thought they look awful, as I don't generally look that closely at other people's nails. But I thi j they're godawful on me. I tend to think you can't go wrong with buffed, clean nails au natural.

JaceLancs · 27/10/2019 00:03

I have a gel polish rather than gel nails every 3 weeks
They just look like any other nail varnish but last better
My nail technician is very gentle and soaks then wraps in foil - scrapes with wooden stick and buffs lightly

Gel nails
CarbsAreNotMyFriend · 27/10/2019 04:54

I recently got a gel polish called builder in a bottle. My nails always chip but this is so much stronger. It also allows you to get infills instead of removal each time, which is better for your nails.

MissLadyM · 27/10/2019 04:58

Don't do it! They ruin your nails. Use a decent base coat, crystal nail file, cuticle oil and plenty of hand cream. If they don't grow, just keep them short! There's something gross about fake nails

Geog1985 · 27/10/2019 05:19

Four years of shellac off and on every month. Always go to a nail bar and get them to soak off before using their scrapping tool. A good Vietnamese nail bar will do this. My salon is super and I had to take mine off for an operation this summer and they were perfect.

Lovemenorca · 27/10/2019 05:22

I always have professional removals followed by a basic manicure. No polish.
Always break of few weeks and I cover and massage them in oil every night

I love my nails, they look lovely with and without polish because I really look after them

Mary54 · 27/10/2019 06:47

Shellac lasts as long as acrylic but doesn’t need buffing before application or removal so maybe less damage.

Becciej · 27/10/2019 07:31

I'm a nail tech, mproper application or removal of nail products will damage your nails, not the product itself. Also nails dont need to "breathe" they don't have lungs! Also they grow from a pocket under the skin at the base of the nail so covering the nail itself for extended periods of time/permanently is fine. I personally have hard gel overlays on pretty much permanently but when I do take them off my natural nails are perfectly healthy x

Original poster
mycatislickingherpaw · 27/10/2019 07:43

Ooooh lots of interesting comments, thank you!

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