Does a one off gel manicure wreck your nails?

[ScarlettDarling]

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?

BIAB or SNS is the way to go although it'll always do some kind of damage to your nails even if it's a tiny amount.

Don't go to anyone who uses a drill for the nails either.

I have gel polish sometimes and they don’t rough my nails up beforehand, they just paint them as normal but cure the polish under a lamp. Taking it off properly takes longer than ordinary polish but my nail’s aren’t damaged at all. I go to a beauty salon not a nail bar so not sure if that’s the difference.

i had super strong nails and I’ve had gel nails for 14 years - during covid I obvs couldn’t have them - peeled them off and nails were weak as shit for a month - back to pre gel nails within a month - will be fine.

Her nails should be fine if you go to a decent place. I've been getting gel manicures every 3 weeks for years and my nails are perfectly fine and healthy.

I will never have gel nails done again. It look a really long time to get them back to how they were.

I use nail polish now, although it doesn't last very long. Someone else did the polish for me a little white back and thst last a lot longer.

If she is just wanting them done for one event, what about the fake stick on nails? They are muxb better than they used to be and she can remove them the day after if need be.

I wouldn’t. Some people can get away with it but a lot don’t so I’d not risk it.

As for BIAB being nourishing - it isn’t. Nails are dead, they can’t be nourished. I actually think BIAB is one of the worst. The amount of people I know who’ve had bad experiences with it, me included, is worrying. That said, it could, of course, be the application etc rather than the product.

You soaked them in acetone?

There is nothing wrong with wearing a face mask.

In fact these salons should be more regulated

I've had gel nails for 8 years, they don't damage nails if you follow these rules:

1. go to places that use CND branded base (and top) coat. Other brands cause damage.
2. don't allow any other product but top or base coat to be applied to the nail. One place tried to put on super glue! Some use dehydrator which is ok.
3. don't allow the electric file to be used on the natural nail, they should only be using a buffer box
4. to remove don't soak the nails in acetone. Buff the top layer and wrap in acetone soaked cotton wool.

I know you are going to think this is "racist" but if you go to salons run by south East Asians that are cheaper than other places, they are more likely going to damage your nails. Not sure if it's to remain competitive or it's training, but I would avoid.

Cnd used to have a list of salons who had registered with them, or go on treatwell and choose a salon that does facials/looks high class etc.

Same here

@Soproudoflionesses how did you remove the gel?

I had gels done once. Professionally removed. Took several months for my nails to recover (well, grow out). They were rough and brittle. Horrible.

I get sns every month and never have damage.when I got shellac every 2 weeks my nails were fine, and they are naturally very thin.

I always go back to the salon to have it taken off - doesn't matter which one l go to, my nails are always weaker after having them done

This is my experience too. My nails are usually very strong but they’re peeling, splitting and awful at the moment after recently getting gel nails for a wedding.
Never again.

I buffed the surface, soaked 10 pieces of cotton wool in acetone and wrapped my fingertips in foil for about 15 minutes, then scraped it off. Is that not the right thing to do?