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Original poster

Does a one off gel manicure wreck your nails?

41 replies

ScarlettDarling · 13/05/2023 20:00

My dd is thinking of having gels for her prom. She’s got lovely healthy nails and we’ve both heard that gels can ruin your nails. I’m sure I’ve heard that the nail surface is filed to roughen them up a bit. Can anyone please advise if this is the case and if a one off gel manicure will spoil her nice nails?

OP posts:
HipposHaveNipples · 13/05/2023 20:01

No, as long as she soaks them off properly and doesn't peel them off.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 13/05/2023 20:03

Her nails are young enough to get away with a one off. I wouldn't recommend them long term.

Hotfootgoose · 13/05/2023 20:03

No. Had my done ages ago and my nails are fine

modgepodge · 13/05/2023 20:09

I find mine are horrible for weeks/months after a gel (I get gels sporadically, probably 6 times in the last 8 years). I’ve had them removed professionally and I’ve done it myself (still soaking properly) and my nails are weak and break easily for ages afterwards. When I’ve asked friends they say theirs aren’t like this because they have another gel manicure applied straight after!! Which would cover it up to be fair.

I don’t think it’s done my nails and long term damage but I don’t like what it does to them at all so don’t do it often.

ricketybeauty · 13/05/2023 20:09

In contrast to the other replies, I had gel nails for the first time this year and it’s honestly wrecked mine a bit! Possibly the place I went to was a bit rubbish

Fluffycloudsblusky · 13/05/2023 20:10

Could she not just have a regular manicure on the day? It should last at least a couple of days. Better than gel. It’s really not great for your nails sadly.

Original poster
ScarlettDarling · 13/05/2023 20:11

Hmm a mixed bag of replies. Think I might suggest just getting a manicure with normal nail varnish on the day of the prom. She only fancied gels because they wouldn’t chip.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScarlettDarling · 13/05/2023 20:12

Cross post@Fluffycloudsblusky

OP posts:
Freshlycutgrasss · 13/05/2023 20:14

I do my own gels every 2 weeks, and my nails haven't been ruined & are strong & healthy when I take it off.

Make sure she goes to someone who hand files/buffs rather than uses a machine to do it (if they wear a face mask to do the nails, you definitely shouldn't use them).

Also, make sure she gets then soaked off after rather than picking them off as this is one of the main reasons for the nails being ruined.

Let her have them done, they'll look great & she'll feel fantastic with them on.

iamnottoofatiamjusttooshort · 13/05/2023 20:15

ricketybeauty · 13/05/2023 20:09

In contrast to the other replies, I had gel nails for the first time this year and it’s honestly wrecked mine a bit! Possibly the place I went to was a bit rubbish

Same here .. and not a place that was a bit rubbish .. I'll never do it again

Just normal manicure and polish from now on

Timeisallwehave · 13/05/2023 20:16

Yes. Have had to wait for it to grow out for normal nails to resume

ricketybeauty · 13/05/2023 20:16

@iamnottoofatiamjusttooshort glad its not just me then - all my pals have them constantly!

Bleepbloopbluurp · 13/05/2023 20:19

They ruin my nails. I also let my 16 yo get hers done around Christmas (professionally removed too) and they took ages to recover - her nails are normally really lovely and strong.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 13/05/2023 20:22

I went through a stage after lockdowns ended of having regular gel manicures and pedicures and at first I couldn’t see anything wrong, as I’ve got nails which grow quickly and are in good condition. However after a year or 18 months I did notice when I stopped them that my nails did look somewhat damaged and worse of all my toenails which I’d thought had been damaged by gels actually have a fungal nail infection which I’m currently treating and growing out, yet when I queried an infection with the manicurist/therapist they ensured me my nails were fine!

It’s a pity as I like the look and lasting properties of gels but I rarely get them done now.

Doggymummar · 13/05/2023 20:24

I get SNS it's kinder to your nails, still need to rough them up a bit.

SamSaid · 13/05/2023 20:26

How about BIAB instead of gels? It's nourishing for the nails, lasts the same amount of time with no chips so can be done in advance and is usually less than a fiver more than shellac?

Generally the salons that offer this will be good quality and caring about nail health as it takes slightly longer. Will still need a professional soak off

Panicmode1 · 13/05/2023 20:29

DD (17) and I both had gel nails done for the first time.last summer at a reputable salon, but my nails have still not recovered, despite having them properly removed etc. Never again!!

RandomUsernameHere · 13/05/2023 20:36

It does damage the surface a bit but that wouldn't put me off having them, her nails will grow out quickly enough

Tinytigertail · 13/05/2023 20:38

I get them 3 or 4 times a year, usually for holidays. I get them soaked off but my nails are always in a poorer condition afterwards and take a few weeks to get back to normal.

Hazelnuttella · 13/05/2023 20:42

My nails are very thin and bendy, and it does make them even thinner and breakable.

If she has nice strong nails to begin with she’ll probably be okay.

Twerpsichore · 13/05/2023 20:48

I have two a year and my nails are fine. They are in good condition generally so that helps.

Toottooot · 13/05/2023 20:51

I get them done fortnightly and zero issues with my nails underneath.

wibblewobbleball · 13/05/2023 20:59

Just go to a proper beauty salon place to have them done. Don't go to a nail bar that is on the high street, usually they do a lot of SNS and acrylics and use a metal electric file like a Dremel on your nails.

OwlsRock · 13/05/2023 21:26

Wrecked mine on the two or three occasions I've had it.

A 3 month recovery each time :-/

Notanothernewname · 13/05/2023 21:33

I had a gel pedicure, never again. My toe nails were pretty good before afterwards they were awful.