Gel Nails - Dermatologists Warning.

[TheRealHousewife]

Hi Like a lot of ladies I have gel nails applied every 2 - 3 weeks and an article in the Daily Mail is making me think again.

Rise in life changing allergies triggered by gel nail polishes leaking into skin Experts Warn

Would it put you off?

What would you use instead?

Is there anything I could do to increase the strength and thickness of my natural nails?

The offending ingredient is Methacrylate which is a key ingredient in tooth fillings, bone cement and bone replacements. Hence the worry around developing an allergy to it.

Would I be better changing to regular/non toxic nail polish although I understand it wouldn’t be as hard wearing. My natural nails have always been thin and prone to breaking so I like to have something on them.

Any recommendations?

The industry’s been telling people for years hardened doesn’t equate to cured & uncured leads to allergies but no one listened.

You have to use the lamp that matches the polish range or it isn’t designed to cure that polish. It’s not the timing it’s the spectrum required to activate the polish.

Theres no regulation in this country, anyone can do a short course, buy a cheap lamp & any old gel and start providing services. Nail lamps are £300 plus vat for branded like Gellish or CND.

Slight tangent but also orbital fat loss and lash serums.

I heard about it, this is why I stopped doing my nails while pregnant. Plus, it's too much faff for me, as I do them at home. I booked nail appointment before my holidays in May and I think I will think of salon manicure as a treat before holidays, Christmas etc. from now on. It's too dear for me to do it on regular basis, especially with baby on the way.
I would also like to know how I can strengthen my nails. Mine are very weak. I've done multiple thyroid test, got recent results just today, all is fine, incl. ft3/4 and antibodies. No idea why mine don't grow strong. I keep healty diet, wear gloves for cleaning etc. I could happily stick to nude/milk white nail polish, as I think natural nails look very elegant, but how to prevent them from breaking.

IBX manicures strengthen or repair or both but it’s professional use only because it contains a monomer which is a molecule of acrylic small enough to be absorbed into human skin if it isn’t applied properly. It was designed to work with any nail lamp though.

Its invisible once dry.

Nail oils strengthen nails my making them more resilient to impact damage but if they are very thin it might not have good results.

@FormerlyPathologicallyHappy I will admit I stuck my head in the sand in my quest to have presentable nails. I didn’t research it (unusual for me) and went on the (wrong) assumption if it’s available in a salon it must be safe. Lesson learnt and I’m going back to short & natural. I’ll buy a decent oil and apply regularly. I’ll save a non toxic polish for special occasions.

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz Whats orbital fat loss. I’ve never heard of that. I don’t do lash serums thankfully.

@xogossipgirlxo Congratulations on your pregnancy 🥳 It’s better to be safe than sorry and saving money too!

Only ever had gel nails once, and absolutely hated it, especially when it starts to grow out ( not sure of the correct term). I now use Essie nail varnish and it's brilliant. Usually lasts 2 weeks or thereabouts, it rarely chips, but starts to wear out. I use the base coat too to strengthen my nails. I love it!

I’ve only just learned this after someone else on S&B recommended someone on YouTube to watch.

She had a video explaining exactly what you said and I found it fascinating. She mainly uses CND and explains that she trusts them because they researched and tested their lamp with their products so they could guarantee that used properly there would be minimal risk. She also explained with the generic brands and lamps, as you say, although there’s no guarantee of proper curing. I never knew this at all before watching the info.

My nails were wrecked after gels but luckily no allergies that I know of. Knowing what I know now, I’d not use gel again. And IF I did, it would likely be CND Shellac.

£175 at most www.nailsupplyuk.com/products/cnd-led-lamp

Have they ever been strong?

That’s not a genuine supplier, it’s a grey market supplier like amazon is.

The real ones not £175

Cnd main supplier in the uk is £240. Led so no spare bulbs, when it breaks you have to throw it out.

Gellish is £495 on salon services. The Gellish techs wish they could get a lamp for £175.

It’s also led so when it breaks that’s it. If your in the middle of a service you can’t work until you get a new one.

@Sallylovesdaisy I do have a variety of regular nail polish; I have several Essie ones and agree they are durable.

Ive just ordered a nail oil/conditioner and a couple of nail polish’s for special occasions. The gels are coming off.

Hiya. Do toy by any chance have a link to the YouTube explanation please?

I get my nails done every month and I'm loathe to give it up!

I used to do gels at home for about a year. I noticed the whites of all my nails seemed to be going further down. Eventually every fingernail was detaching from the nail bed. It was horrible. It's a condition called onicholysis. It took 6 months for my nails to get back to normal once I'd stopped with the gels. I will never touch gel polish again. Normal nail varnish for me now!

I’ll have a look for the specific video as soon as I can.😊

Doug Schoon is regarded as the industry expert, he’s a chemist who’s been campaigning to raise awareness for years.

It took me ages to find a cnd salon using the right lamp, I lucked out by searching for IBX salons because I figured if they used IBX they’d be using the right equipment.

I’ve been watching his videos too. I’m finding it all fascinating. I love his cross section of the nail document.

@Waffle I can’t find the one where she discusses the lamps (unless it’s in this and I’ve missed it) but this one is interesting. If I come across the one I’m thinking of, I’ll post again.

Cnd Rx keratin oil is great for weak nails. If you’ve been having gels for a while, it might be contributing to the weakness. I started using the Rxx after gel polishes left my nails in a terrible state.

I’m a nail tech with 16 years experience.

I’m glad the allergen issue has been raised so publicly. However not all gel products are bad.

I will happily carry on using gel on myself, but I will use products (and already do on clients) that I have done my research on.

Thanks for the vid link @GeneHuntsCowboyBoots.

@Henddraig Ill look that product up, thank you.

@Wispawispawispa I understand your opinion. I go to a great salon but I know they have several gel products and from memory I don’t think the lamps have the same brand name.

@TheRealHousewife don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask them if they use the relevant lamp for the polish.

There are certain gel brands to be avoided. Typically they are made in china and are referred to as ‘white bottle’. Choosing brands made in the Uk/Eu and America are the ones to go for. Do remember though, no product is ever 100% safe.

Thank you @Wispawispawispa I will.

I’ve stopped, I used to have gel applied every 3 weeks, but gradually became more uncomfortable with having both the gel and the curing lamp process, because of the UV. I now go with short nails, use CND solar oil and polish every now and again.

I have gel polish applied onto acrylic nails or acrylic dip powder . Anyone know if the acrylic helps protect against the allergy potential (I realise acrylic is wrecking my nails anyway )