Gel nails

[ReadWritePlay]

I’m a recent convert to these and love them but wondering - do they do long term damage?

Mine haven't. I had 5 sets on back to back and I've just peeled the most recent off (naughty but lockdown cancelled my next appointment and they were bugging me!) and once I'd filed off the base coat, buffed and moisturised they actually looked better than ever 😊

I’m afraid they do. I’ve had them constantly for over 20 years and only discovered the state of my nails during lockdown. Sadly, I don’t think they will ever recover so it’s gel nails for life now.

They've ruined mine in the past tbh, my nails started splitting and white patches were growing up from the end of my nails. I think they're fine if you have frequent breaks, as your nails have time to repair

Yes but mine recovered in about 3 months

I love gel nails too but they do damage my nails if I don't give them frequent breaks

I’ve had three sets, back to back, recently, and loved them.
I had to take them off myself because of lockdown after having them on for three weeks. I got a kit from Boots.
I was going to have a break anyway. My beautician said I should. My nails are very thin, so I’ve filed them really short. I’m putting on cuticle cream. After having them off for two weeks now I can see that the new growth is healthy.
So I’d say they do short term damage!
I’d have them done again.

Umm I had them for years and thought they were great, then I got an infection in the nail bed that resulted in most of my nails falling off! It was awful and over a year later my nails are still recovering. I think it's OK now and then if your going on holiday or something but I'd be careful about having them on all the time without a break for them to recover.

I think they do unless you take a break for a few months now and again. Going into lockdown mine were terrible. I haven’t had any all year and my nails look amazing now. I won’t go back to having them all the time again.

That said, I am getting a bit twitchy about glittery Christmas ones.

Started getting mine done last November and had the break during lockdown when I soaked them in acetone. Mine were ok, thin as they are but ok. I always have the builder gel on mine to give them strength. Don’t intend on giving them a break again. Unless of another lockdown.

It depends so much on where you go. I would never go to a salon where they use electric files/buffers, they do so much damage.

That’s so useful. I’ve only recently weaned myself off false eyelashes so v nervous about doing something else that turns into a tether of sorts

@HelloDulling

It depends so much on where you go. I would never go to a salon where they use electric files/buffers, they do so much damage.

Agree with this - I’m notice a massive difference if it’s somewhere they grinds them off with the electric tools.

I’ve had something done called builder gell on my natural nails and then a gel/shellac type colour over it. It is much more gentle to nails and mine have been growing well with it, worth seeing if anywhere near you does it.

I only get mine done for really special occasions and they are always wrecked afterwards for a few weeks - not so bad if l have them taken off properly

Hi, have been having gel nails for years. Had no problems with my nails. But I was (until lockdown) always getting them removed and re-done by a professional

@HelloDulling

It depends so much on where you go. I would never go to a salon where they use electric files/buffers, they do so much damage.

My nail lady’s been doing mine and filing manually for 20 years. They’re still ruined.

I have had gel nails for years, done at a very good salon. When they grew out during lockdown my nails underneath were strong and healthy. I am back having them again and my nails seem fine.

Mine uses the electric filer and the builder gel protects my nail.

Wrecked my nail beds, very soft and painful and haven't grown back properly.
Any cosmetic procedure that involves putting chemicals, of sorts, on your body causes damage. Like semi perm lashes, are fine for special occasions/holidays. But I would never have them done permanently.

I’ve found builder gel really helps my nails grow
If I soak them off and use lots of almond oil mine soon recover from gel polish

I wonder what our hands will look like in years to come. All that ultra-violet light can't be good for the skin.

Only if the nail bed is affected. So that could be by fungal infection resulting in nails falling off or one of the nails being accidentally ripped odd resulting in ripping of nail underneath. Otherwise no. My thumb nail became fungal and fell off but luckily did grow back ok sometimes they don't and thats usually caused by water seepage under the gel mails.
Any topical damage just grow out with the nail.

I used to have them constantly on my toes as they lasted so long. Then my nails started to discolour and split. Finally the damage is nearly grown out, so back to regular polish for me!

Mine have always been fine, I often give my nails a break though and regularly use cuticle oil as I feel this helps. Also don't go anywjere that uses a electric file, that can often ruin the nail bed x

I found they’ve damaged mine, even going to a repeatable salon that soaks them off rather than files them. Mine were thin but have grown out fine. I wouldn’t have them more than once or twice a year for Xmas/special occasions etc.

I do gel nails myself, have done for years and no issues at all with my nails being ruined. They're absolutely fine (and I regularly peel/pick it off rather than removing it properly).