Is gel polish bad for nails?

[MamanCherry]

After years of crappy unhealthy nails I've finally managed to get a little length on them.
Regular polish chips easily on me, regardless of brand, application, etc etc.
I want to try gel polish, but am desperate to protect my nails.

I don't know if regular gel manicures will damage them. Salon says not, but they would say that , wouldn't they?!

Any advice?

No, as far as I Know it doesn't.
Acrylic is what I think does a number on natural nails but not for everyone.
I just give my self a couple weeks break now in between acrylics instead of doing it constantly as it can really damage nails.

I definitelY think it does. When it gets taken off the nails are noticeably thinner and a bit bendy.

I keep them as a treat as they do look lovely.

I have gels occasionally but it does damage my nails. They become very soft and flake off.
Not everyone is exactly the same, I have gels on my toes too without the same problem!
So, I think it's also perhaps to some extent mitigated if you take good care of your hands (gloves for washing up, lots of moisturiser) - which I don't 😁

No it doesn’t. Rubbish application and removal is what damages nails.

I think if you have it back to back so your nails never see any light and air it’s not great. I tend to have gel polish in the summer only and even then I try to allow gaps in between.

Poor removal will also do damage as a pp says.

I think gel nails are fine for special occasions, as long as they’re applied and removed properly. The gel does damage my nails and my salon is very good. I think it’s the lack of light and air as previous posters have said.

As long as it’s removed properly gel won’t damage your nails. A lot of people rip their gels off and then complain that their nails are thin and weak.

Consider a BIAB manicure. Builder in a bottle with a colour on top. Gel Bottle is fantastic. Google Gel Bottle with the name of your hometown or city to check which GB salon is closest to you.

Expect to pay between £30 and £40. More than a gel manicure but it will last 4 weeks. It won’t chip but your nails will grow. You’ll know when it’s time to get them done again.

Various salons over the years, all very reputable, and no doubt at all that yes it damages my nails. I used to be able to get away with a few refreshes, but last time I did it just one application had big flakes coming off my normally very strong nails.

I do wish I could wear it, but I don't think I'd even have it done for special occasions now as it just trashes them.

I have SNS every 2 / 3 weeks on my natural nails. They're now long and strong underneath. There's no UV treatment, which I believe is bad for your nails.

It trashes my nails, which are not strong to start with.
A shame cos they look amazing, but after the last set I had done I swore never again!

Yes it’s terrible… I’ve just had 3 lots back to back have had it taken off and my nails are paper thin and have had to cut them back to nothing as were bending. It doesn’t put me off getting again when they grow but I just accept that I need to start again after a few lots.

This is completely right.

yeah agree

@Polkadotties thats not my experience. I always get it taken off professional and have used a variety of reputable salons and my nails are always worse than when I’ve not had gel nails.

I don’t think it causes any long term damage but they are definitely always a bit brittle and bendy

Gel bottle colours and their builder gel is what my manicurist uses. My nails are still soft and bendy if I have back to back colours done.

I don't find so. I use a reputable salon with good brands. I also go back for removal and I use oil twice a day. I pay a bit more than some of the other salons in my area but prefer that than week nails.

‘I also go back for removal and I use oil twice a day.’

Yeah. You have to be prepared to do the maintenance. Gloves for washing up and oil next to the bed and in your bag.

I've never had it done precisely because it is a harsh treatment and it does cause damage. Although they grow back so flaking and thinning should be temporary.

But the setting lamp (do they still use that?) put me off big time. I can't imagine that particular step is not harmful at all.
Home use kits seem an awful idea too.

Yes, normal nail polish wouldn't look immaculate for that long. I use neutral colour or clear nail polish for a neat look and accept that normal colours need re-doing regularly.

Thanks everyone. Interesting to read the mixed opinions.
I think I would do an alternating schedule, e.g a couple of weeks on, salon removal, a few weeks off and repeat.
I guess the only way I can discover if it's likely to damage my nails is to give it a try.

Depends on application. I've been having mine done for years no issues but then she stopped doing them so I went to a new recommendation.

She used a drilll thing to 'prep the nail bed' and she's destroyed my usually strong nails which are taking months to grow out. I'm really upset actually.

So I'd ask about how much they prepare - do they do a manual file / buff or a drill? If it's a drill stay well away!!

I have had mine back to back for 6+ months then had them taken off in a panic at what I would find and they were so long and strong and not brittle at all. A good salon and builder in a bottle gel seems to make all the difference. And washing up gloves and loads of nail oil which I am very good at so maybe that makes a massive difference?

The salons/professionals will ALWAYS say that gel nails are fine and don't damage nails as long as they are removed professionally.

I do agree that they should be removed professionally, but even so, my nails were left brittle and flakey. After my last gel removal (a few months back) I hated the condition of my nails but with the help of some nail and skin vitamins and cuticle oil my natural nails are the strongest and the best condition they have ever been in. So much so, I doubt I would ever have another gel again.

Gel actually helps my nails - it makes them stronger and, as a result, they grow longer. Whenever I remove it (I didn't wear any during lockdown) my nails don't look as good. And it's not damage because during lockdown they grew out and I still had problems.