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Original poster

Gel nail help please!

46 replies

FriedEggs1 · 02/07/2023 15:59

I'd been getting regular gel nails for five months but in February, I had to stop. The gel started to peel and whole nails of it were falling off. Underneath, my nails were white, flaky and brittle, so the gel couldn't adhere to them properly. So I stopped for a few months so they could totally recover.

I now want to get them done again but with another salon because I'm thinking maybe my original one was doing something wrong. If you get them done regularly with no problems, how is that? I've always put Solar Oil on them nightly (and still do).

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 02/07/2023 21:54

Cazziebo · 02/07/2023 18:14

Gel is awful for nails. The only people I've heard say otherwise tend to be nail technicians!

I think gel looks good. It's not until the gel is removed that you see the state of the nails underneath.

I'm hoping it's just the removal process and not the gel itself that causes problems.

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 02/07/2023 21:58

BeretRaspberry · 02/07/2023 20:14

Gel should only be used on healthy nails to start with. There are lots of things that can cause issues with gel polish, even just the wearing of it. As people say, aggressive removal can cause damage but even just wearing it can too.

if you imagine it’s painted on to your nails then cured, as you use your hands, it can knock the nails, causing tiny bits to lift. This happens more the longer the gel is on because the gel becomes more brittle the longer it’s worn. It’s never good to have it on for too long.

CND is generally one I’d be happy with as it’s one of the best, and with the right technique shouldn’t cause damage, so it makes me wonder if they’re using legitimate products at that price.

My nails were great before she got her hands on them. I'd been using Solar Oil and they just wouldn't break or split. I'm pretty sure they were using genuine bottles of CND.

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 02/07/2023 22:01

23Elfie · 02/07/2023 20:41

Other than Bio Sculpture all the other products mentioned are not semi permeable (which means air is able to get through the gel to your nails) so basically they're being suffocated.

I've trained in Calgel (which was the original one phase system that Bio Sculpture formed from and they split into two companies. Calgel stayed with the original formula they've always had) which is semi permeable, and have not had any issues when soaked off properly. Myself (and clients) usually get 3-4 weeks with no problems, some ladies can go as long as 6 weeks, no chipping or lifting.

Maybe see if there is a Calgel tech in your area?

Another thing to consider - if you take any types of medication this can also affect your nails and make them more dry/ brittle / sensitive xx

Thanks. Calgel doesn't seem to be used by the salons I've been researching. No medications (except Friday night wine 😅).

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 02/07/2023 22:08

Name99 · 02/07/2023 21:51

Yes it does.
She is damaging your nails not the product it should be soaked off with acetone and simply flake off in pieces.
I would suggest paying someone a bit more for a gel manicure and removal and they should carry it out properly.

Show quote history

She will have seen the state of them on removal but carried on regardless. As did I. I should have just started going somewhere new but stupidly I didn't because of the price. I'll be paying more than double next time so hopefully it'll be worth it.

OP posts:
Stickybackplasticbear · 02/07/2023 22:35

Where are you based? £10 is redic cheap and honestly I still think 23 is cheap.

I also think it's the removal. From my experience they should never use an electric file. Nit sure if she was but just FYI. My nail tec us excellent and I've been going for about a year and a half now. But did have a break when I had surgery and my nails were fine in between.

She does file then scrape but only the top layer. Like she isn't scraping my nail. She files that bit.

Also vitamins are really important in good nail health.

Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 02/07/2023 22:41

Stickybackplasticbear · 02/07/2023 22:35

Where are you based? £10 is redic cheap and honestly I still think 23 is cheap.

I also think it's the removal. From my experience they should never use an electric file. Nit sure if she was but just FYI. My nail tec us excellent and I've been going for about a year and a half now. But did have a break when I had surgery and my nails were fine in between.

She does file then scrape but only the top layer. Like she isn't scraping my nail. She files that bit.

Also vitamins are really important in good nail health.

Leeds. Actually I've just checked my appointment and it's £18 for gel application (don't know what brand) and £23 for application and removal. Seems to be the going rate round here so it should be OK.

Definitely wasn't an electric file.

Vitamins won't do much I don't think because my nails are really healthy looking and strong since she's not had her mitts on them and I've been Solar Oiling 😇

OP posts:
Softoprider · 03/07/2023 07:36

OP I like to use Sally Hansen Insta Dri. You can buy it is ASDA and it looks like gel. There are several colours and it dries very quickly. You will be surprised at how good it looks. The best part is you can remove it in seconds. Give it a try.

Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 03/07/2023 08:31

Softoprider · 03/07/2023 07:36

OP I like to use Sally Hansen Insta Dri. You can buy it is ASDA and it looks like gel. There are several colours and it dries very quickly. You will be surprised at how good it looks. The best part is you can remove it in seconds. Give it a try.

Thanks. Sounds good but how long does it last? I liked gel because it initially lasted for weeks. I tried Essie Couture 2 step system and got lovely red stained nails after removal, despite them stating no base coat is required 😩.

OP posts:
Softoprider · 03/07/2023 08:37

It's not really a question of how long it lasts which depends on you - your job etc.. its the fact that it is cheap to buy and looks like gel and can be removed as quickly as it was applied.
I had BIAB - the builder gel. It was removed by the nail technician each time and it still ruined my nails. They went paper like and flaky for months.

Ellewoods20 · 03/07/2023 10:15

Cazziebo · 02/07/2023 18:14

Gel is awful for nails. The only people I've heard say otherwise tend to be nail technicians!

I think gel looks good. It's not until the gel is removed that you see the state of the nails underneath.

I’m qualified in gel nails and I’ve decided to move away from gel nails. I was one of the people but the truth is my nails are absolutely destroyed. They’re all flaky and paper thin. I remove via the soak off method just like I was trained to but they’re still a mess.

dancingsands · 03/07/2023 10:22

I pay £40 for removal and application and my nails are healthy x

Softoprider · 03/07/2023 12:35

As an aside, I do not think it is healthy for nails to be covered in anything for long periods of time. My own nails go in a cycle of being strong to not so strong and I think they benefit from being left alone. Manicures and lots of cuticle oil etc and then start again with the paint

jackstini · 03/07/2023 12:57

Firstly, they are probably peeling off as your nails are oily. Never use oil the day before a gel manicure and make sure your nails are dehydrated

Never get polish removed with filing/scraping - that causes most damage

I wear gel all the time, but for the last few years have used a peel off base coat. They still last 10-14 days, but then peel off with no damage

This is the one I use:

www.nailpolishdirect.co.uk/peel-off-strip-gel-polish-basecoat-7-39ml-71791-p31219

PeriwinkleForever · 03/07/2023 19:20

I came here to post but looks like the last poster @jackstini covered most of my points!

I do my own gel nails at home and have done for 10 years with no problems. My nails are in good condition, but i haven’t used acetone to remove my gel for about five years - I always use a peel off base coat.

last night I simply peeled off a 2.5 week old manicure and tonight I will file and redo. The peel off base coat is a game changer!

my manicure had no chips at all - just a gap at the bottom and it took me 10 mins to peel off. I’ll attach a pic here so you can see - bear in mind that I’ve still to file and do cuticle work so I’m not saying my nails look amazing, but hopefully you can see that they’re not thin and flaky.

@jackstini thanks for this recommendation because I’m down to my last bottle of the Bluesky one I use which has been discontinued 👍🏻

Gel nail help please!
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 03/07/2023 22:41

Softoprider · 03/07/2023 08:37

It's not really a question of how long it lasts which depends on you - your job etc.. its the fact that it is cheap to buy and looks like gel and can be removed as quickly as it was applied.
I had BIAB - the builder gel. It was removed by the nail technician each time and it still ruined my nails. They went paper like and flaky for months.

Right, thanks.

Oh that's a shame. I thought BIAB was meant to be better.

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 03/07/2023 22:46

Softoprider · 03/07/2023 12:35

As an aside, I do not think it is healthy for nails to be covered in anything for long periods of time. My own nails go in a cycle of being strong to not so strong and I think they benefit from being left alone. Manicures and lots of cuticle oil etc and then start again with the paint

Yeah, you're right. I need to do that every winter with my toenails because they go white from normal varnish 😩

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 03/07/2023 22:49

Augend23 · 03/07/2023 12:43

Not at all related to how to get your nails sorted, but at that price I'd be having a think about whether you should report the salon as there being a risk of modern slavery.

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/21/what-does-your-10-manicure-really-cost-the-unvarnished-truth-about-nail-bars

It's not a nail bar. They do special offers on Tuesdays (lots of different treatments) at a tenner each but the rest of the week it's normal, higher prices.

OP posts:
Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 03/07/2023 22:54

Thanks @jackstini and @PeriwinkleForever

Peel off base coat sounds great and your nails do look healthy.

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 03/07/2023 23:55

BIAB base then gel bottle gel polish plus top coat
i have mine done every 4 weeks - they never soak off just sand off the top coats - infill the BIAB and put new colour on
my nails are strong long and appear to be in good condition

Original poster
FriedEggs1 · 04/07/2023 08:34

JaceLancs · 03/07/2023 23:55

BIAB base then gel bottle gel polish plus top coat
i have mine done every 4 weeks - they never soak off just sand off the top coats - infill the BIAB and put new colour on
my nails are strong long and appear to be in good condition

Sounds like a skilled technician if she's managing to get it off without damaging them 👌

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