Is gel nail polish removal always this brutal??

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Hi, I'm new to nail bars so not really sure what to expect, so want some views! I got gel nail polish about 3 weeks ago and just went to have it removed (and not replaced - wanted to leave my nails natural). The removal felt rough but maybe this is what to expect when you have gel nails - but I had no idea what to expect so thought I'd post here for views?

She filed off the top layer with a rotating metal file. Then on each nail put a bit of cotton wool soaked in varnish remover, with foil over the top to keep in place. After a few minutes she removed that and then got a kind of triangular metal wire tool and scrubbed away the varnish - the varnish still seemed quite stuck on - I could see shavings of varnish but also it was scraping the top layer of the nail itself. Then a fairly rough nail file across the top.

My nails now are dull looking and rough to the touch.

Maybe this is what to expect and they'll be back to normal in a couple of days? Or was she doing it wrong?

Sounds normal. They will be dull if you did not put any varnish on afterwards. Normally removal is done and you get new gels put on. I haven’t seen my actual nail in years.

Fairly normal in my experience. When I stopped having gels done my nails felt a bit rough like you mention. I just wore clear or pale nail polish til it grew out.

Unfortunately, gel removal does damage your nails. New gels then protect from the damage (if you don’t just have the old ones filled) but if you don’t have gels on, you are left with the damaged natural nail.

It’s why it’s not recommended to take them off the way you had done but rather to grow them out and trim off the top if you decide you don’t want gels any more.

The beautician should have warned you but maybe she assumed you knew?

Unfortunately, they won’t be better in a couple of days - you will need to grow out the damage over several months. However, moisturising and a coat of clear varnish may make them look better.

I disagree.

If she had let the varnish remover soak in properly, the gel would have been soft and easy to scrape off and the nail would not have been damaged.

I’ve had good and bad experiences with beauticians, and my own (awful) attempts. Change salon.

No, this is not normal. They should let them soak enough so that the natural nail should not be filed or scraped. Proper gel removal does very little damage except dry out the nail somewhat because of the acetone.

I'd love to find someone who could take them off without wrecking my nails!

I my experience, decent places don’t use an electric rotating file. They file by hand to buff up the shiny surface. Then as pp said they should leave the acetone on long enough to soak in, usually in heated mitts, so it comes off quite easily. They definitely shouldn’t be scraping the top surface of your nail off. When done properly it shouldn’t cause any damage to the nail

My nailtech scuffs the gel with a file, gently but firmly, then does the acetone wrap and then does my brows (tint and thread) for 10 minutes. After that the gel comes off in flakes, which is gently scraped away. Finally a quick buff to shine and solar oil. It's very efficient and little/no damage.

It’s bloody terrible for your nails! Can’t be good long-term.

That sounds awful. They don’t file at mine at all they put little pads on the nails and a clip a bit like a round clothes peg or foil to hold them on. Once all ten done they usually make me a coffee ! And then remove the pads one by one, generally they peel straight off but some need a bit of a poke or prod . That’s it if I’m not having new ones she just tidies the nails and applies some oil. These are biosculpture nails.

It's only once or twice a year for me. Christmas, and possibly for an event or holiday. Toes are done every six weeks from April to October and yes, the last of the damaged surface was just cut a few days ago -- but big toe only.

A good nail technician doesn't use a rotating file precisely because it damages the natural nail. But most nail bars will use one.

Correct removal depends on which gel products were applied.

The better ones only require a light buff with a white sanding block to break the top shell and then can be soaked off.

I'd never allow anyone to use an electric nail file anywhere near my natural nail as they can do serious damage.

As others have said, some salons use the rotating electric file. Some don’t. The rotating files are awful and ruin nails.

I go to a salon that only does natural nails and they allow time for the acetone to soak the polish off.

Never go to anyone that uses a metal rotating electric drill, they are terrible.

It's often the Chinese salons that do this.

I go to a great local girl and she just uses different grades if files.

Nope. A good nail tech will be properly trained and qualified to use an efile without causing damage.

You’ll be lucky if your nails recover in 2 months, mine are still wrecked 11 weeks after removal of BIAB. They normally grow very quickly but they’re splitting lengthwise, flaking off and so horribly bendy they bend halfway down ripping the quick 🤢 so I have to wear plasters.
Never, ever again will I have gels or biab, the BIAB was only on for 6 weeks.

Go and have an IBX treatment, it'll help enormously. Lots of salons do it. Nothing you can buy yourself and paint on will help anywhere near as much. And oil oil oil your cuticles multiple times a day.

This is super helpful. Luckily my nails were fairly strong before so hopefully the recovery won't be too bad!

I only want nails done as an occasional thing but don't want to wreck them afterwards next time, and certainly don't want to have to wait for it to grow out as it looks awful. If anyone can recommend how to find a decent nail bar that has a more gentle approach I'd happily pay more than the local one I used (I am N London if that helps...)

Don't go to a nail bar! I've heard a lot of horror stories of people getting their acrylics removed with dental floss (along with half their nail plate) or MMA acrylic being used which is awful stuff. Find a local tech who works from home or rents a desk in a salon, ask family and friends for recommendations. Most people will have an instagram page these days so you can look at their work.

I found it depended on the nail technician

One woman removed gels like you described and another one filed then put nail polish remover on like you described but kept it on much longer until the polish flaked off which was much better for my nails

For after car I kept nails hydrated with oil and cream and applied these

www.nailsinc.com/Mobile/en/Gel-Rehab-Strengthening-Nail-Treatment/m-m-2357.aspx

www.nailsinc.com/Mobile/en/Overnight-Detox-Mask-Strengthening-Nail-Treatment/m-m-2363.aspx

Have been having gel nails since the early days of shellac or whatever it was called - not once have they been removed by a rotating metal file. I’d find a better salon next time if I were you.

Similar to me minus the brow tint so we natter over a cuppa 🙂

Definitely not normal! You need a better salon.

My nail lady worked from home and suggested getting pure acetone from Amazon; dip a small nail size piece of cotton wool in and place on nail, then wrap finger in foil and leave for 10 minutes.

The gel then comes off fairly easily, if any’s left I scrape off with edge of a teaspoon. Nails can feel a bit rough for a few days so I only have gels done a couple of times a year.