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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:
ButDoYouAvocado · 27/10/2019 10:25

I've had either gel nails or acrylics for years and the only time my nails have been damaged is when I've removed them myself, usually while drinking Prosecco so it's safe to say I haven't put enough, ahem, care in Grin

Let them recover then leave it to the experts.

Doobigetta · 27/10/2019 17:47

I’ve given up on shellac/gel because of the state even occasional use left my nails in. I find that normal polish topped with seche vite will stay nice for about three days, so I do mine every Friday, they look good for the weekend and then I remove it on Sunday or Monday evening and leave them bare until Friday again. My nails are so much healthier for it, and seche vite really does make a massive difference.

DianneWhatcock · 27/10/2019 17:59

I just wish my gel nails lasted longer than ten days!

I have tried so many different places and they never last more than 7-10 days

On the plus side my nails don't get a chance to get damaged 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Morgomargot · 27/10/2019 20:00

If you go to a reputable nail tech for application and removal your nails should be fine. Damage to the nail occurs when they are improperly applied or when they are improperly removed. Cuticle oil is great for your nails. The CND solar oil is the best if you can get it. There are some really good brands of gel polish but I'd stay away from The Gel Bottle and Premier Gel as there have been an increase in allergies linked to these brands recently. I don't know if it's the gel, poor application or both but I wouldn't risk having that brand on my nails.

Whoopstheregomyinsides · 27/10/2019 22:02

The Gel bottle lasts so well but is a bugger to get off
Shellac is way better. That said I like a break every few Months

Indiangal · 28/10/2019 11:39

I do mine myself at home and remove them myself. I use Sensationail which I absolutely love took a bit of practice but now my nails look amazing and the gel helps them grow. Got to admit when I first started they looked awful removal caused so much damage but now I k ow what I'm doing I have no issues. If the smell bothers you so much I find wearing gloves over the foil works great or pour acetone I. A bowl and place that bowl I. Another bowl of hot water.

isthismylifenow · 28/10/2019 12:02

I had the same problem OP. I had gel nails done for the first time last Christmas, and then after that had them redone two further times, so lets say 3-4 months of gel nails on. At the last (3rd application) i could already see the difference in my nails, they were splitting and breaking and I had to go back after a day of the new gel to have one repaired as it broke far down.

After a few kept breaking the next week I asked her to remove them. What a state. I have always had very good nails, always white and strong and i never though I needed gel etc, but just did it to perk myself up for Christmas. It was the biggest mistake ever. Just yesterday while I was filing my nails I realised that only now, are they coming back to now they used to be.

I bought some nice colours of nail polish and if I feel the need I just use the base coat, nail polish and a top coat which last a few weeks.

I will never do gel again. For me, its time consuming to do it (due to my work i have to fit things in around a always changing schedule, so that was a nightmare to keep the appointment), it was quite pricy, and then after a week there is a huge gap where the nail has grown. Nah. Tried it, was nice at the time but not worth it.

CandiceSucksCandy · 28/10/2019 12:29

I bought a wee bottle of gel polish remover on amazon. You paint it on and after about 5 minutes it sort of melts the gel and you scrape it off.
I do my own gels at home and they don't last as long as salon applied ones, I don't know if it would work as well on salon nails.

ProfessionalBoss · 28/10/2019 15:06

For those concerned about the use of the "chemical" used to remove both nail polish and (some) gel polish (brand dependant) "acetone"...

"Your body normally contains some acetone because it's made during the breakdown of fat. Your body will make more acetone from body fat if you are on a low-fat diet. ... Blood carries acetone to all body organs, but it does not stay there very long. The liver breaks down acetone to chemicals that are not harmful."

Your nails do NOT need to" breathe", they have no lungs, and they absolutely do NOT need to "have a break", as long as you are looking after them well, visiting a professional, and having repairs if a nail cracks etc (to prevent water leading to a bacterial infection which is often referred to as "the greenies" to save you from looking up the official term...), although this isn't a fungal infection, it will discolour your nails until it fully grows out...

Lovemenorca · 28/10/2019 15:43

@isthismylifenow

My nails do need to have a break otherwise they become extremely weak.

Similarly hair - look after it with conditioner, don’t use harsh chemicals etc - and it looks better!

ProfessionalBoss · 28/10/2019 16:59

Most of the time it's not your nails that are weak, it's just that they have no protection from the gel polish or gel, so in comparison they appear to be weaker...

Lndnmummy · 28/10/2019 17:27

Try SNS dipping powder. Fabulous stuff

BeatriceTheBeast · 29/10/2019 07:56

ProffesionalBoss so what?

The acid we produce in our stomachs could corrode metal. I wouldn't want to slather it all over my hands.

Nails are dead, so you're right that they don't need to breathe per se. Although, I think some people might benefit from a break.

For me, I just cannot see the fun in having shiny colourful nails. Not enough to sit in a salon and breathe in acetone fumes every few weeks. No, it won't do you any lasting harm, although there is evidence to say that chronic exposure to acetone by nail technicians can be harmful. Acetone, when inhaled frequently can affect your nervous system. The risks are low, but it's inaccurate to say that because it something which occurs naturally in our bodies, it's completely harmless. That simply isn't true or any sort of argument.

That aside, I do find them a bit silly looking and don't like having them. A bit like fake eyelashes. I don't care if other people have them, but they are not glamorous or pretty to me, just a bit weird for me. I don't want to glue eyelids tbh. Don't get me started on hair extensions. I don't care if others have them, but I would honestly rather be bald.

We're all different you see? So some people feel their nails need a break from the chemicals. I get that.

Morgomargot · 30/10/2019 22:42

@CandiceSucksCandy please don't use those kinds of remover for your gel polish. They have been analysed and contain dangerously high levels of prohibited chemical. They are being manufactured in other countries and imported by illegally lying about what they contain. Of the ones tested so far (from Amazon and eBay) the results are not good. They contain very high levels of carcinogens. There is a reason they aren't used by professionals and it's because they are incredibly toxic. Please throw it away and use a safe and proven method to remove your gel polish.

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