Is gel nail polish removal always this brutal??

[crummyusername]

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?

If your nails feel rough you can buff them to bring the shine back.

If I'm not going to have a replication I just remove at home with an acetone remover. You might want to file the top layer off to make it a bit quicker. I bought some remover gel on Amazon that is supposed to make removal quicker. I was able to completely remove one hand in 15 minutes so it wasn't super fast, but was effective, and came with a nail file/buffer and scraper/cuticle pusher.

I disagree with pp saying this is normal. My nail tech is very gentle. Very little scraping. My nails are barely affected. If trained properly they barely buff your nail. Just the merest surface touched. And they are smooth too.

Thanks. I could see tiny scrapings of my nail on the table! Good to know it’s not usually like this as otherwise I’d not get gel nails again. Still not sure how to find a really good salon though.

This is why I don't get gels.

There will always be some nail damage with gels because they have to scuff the surface for the gel to stick in the first place or it would peel off after a short space of time. However it does sound like yours have been treated brutally.