Gel nails - do they have to file it off? My nails are already so thin

[Cindyhadayellowcar]

I know very little about beauty treatments.

A couple of months ago I got a manicure and got gel varnish because it lasts longer. I don't think regular nail varnish remover works on gel? So I went back to get them redone a few weeks later. The thing is they use a little rotating drill file thing to remove the gel, then they put remover in little tinfoil wraps, then they file again to remove the last of it.

I have extremely weak, thin nails. I'm worried about the damage to my nails. Can I ask them not to file? Just to leave the remover on for longer?

You really have to file off the top coats of the gel so the remover can get to work.
It just never comes off otherwise.
Gel nail varnish ruins your nails. It’s not good for weak nails.

So how do I stop the cycle? How do I stop having gel nails? If I go and get it removed but put nothing on, my nails are destroyed :/

I did not think this through!

I got mine taken off and some clear put on. Or just get it taken off and leave them for a few months.
The reason it stays on so well is the reason it’s so difficult to get off unfortunately!

Some nail rehab?

I always clip mine short, that seems to help them grow stronger.
Good diet including collagen supplement.
Massage with nourishing cuticle cream every day.
Keep them bare during the week - mine REALLY hate being deprived of oxygen and will start peeling really quickly! - and polish on Fridays for the weekend.
Gloves while cleaning, gardening etc.

It doesn't take long to turn them around if you look after them.

With gel you only need to file off the top coat to allow the acetone to penetrate. After that no more filing is needed, allow the acetone to do its job

I do my own gels at home, yes I use an e file - to take of the top coat, then I sit and let the acetone do its job. Its time consuming, I take off whilst sitting watching tv in the evening , then oil my nails and let it soak in over night and reapply gel the following day

You can do it yourself at home, just get a couple of different grade emery boards, dont apply pressure - let the grade of the emery board do the work

Quite often I leave the base coat in situ. I just use a fine buffer to gently go over it to smooth it out, making sure theres no lifted edges and then go again over the top. Its the lesser of the two evils

You can buy express removers, they work like paint stripper - I think they are - , again you file the top coat off, apply, let it bubble away then gently push off the colour. Again caution is needed, it really softens the nail plate and unless you are really gentle you can damage it - I use an exfoliating glove

Ive been doing my own gels for 4 or 5 years. Yes I made rookie mistakes at the start but learned the hard way , now I treat my nails with kid gloves

If gel is ruining your nails they are not being done correctly. OP are you sure it was gel? I've only ever seen the rotary thing used with acrylics.

Find a different place to get your nails done.

I hated gel polish, it's so destructive. I'm using this at the moment, it's really helped my weak nails get stronger and has a gel look to it. You just take it off with nail polish remover.

OPI Nail Envy Nail Polish | Nail Strengthener Treatment for Strong Natural Nails | Vegan Nail Repair and Strength for Damaged Nails I OPI Nail Polish, 15ml amzn.eu/d/07PU7Fy

I have weak nails and gel polish (or rather the removal) destroys my nails. I sometime have a moment of weakness and get them done as I love the way they look and last, but then regret a month later.

My nails were absolutely wrecked after years of regular gels. It had become a vicious cycle as even though I no longer wanted them done regularly I felt that I had to keep going since my bare nails were so weakened, discoloured and brittle. Genuinely felt embarrassed having to go in for surgery with no nail polish on as they looked so bad!

Switched to BioSculpture (a more expensive, thicker gel that actually nourishes your nails) 2 months ago and oh my goodness - I’ve got my nice, healthy, strong nails back! They’re growing at lightning speed too. Definitely give it a go OP

You’re not the only one - I’ve had gel/BIAB nails three different times and every time my nails have been wrecked from the process. Never again.
It takes 3-4 months for my nails to recover.

@DiscoBeat fyi if a person's nails are dry and splitting OPI makes the condition worse as the product is very drying.
it helps to know why your nails are breaking.
@Cindyhadayellowcar cuticle cream or oil (any cooking oil can be applied multiple times a day), gloves as much as possible (especially when washing up) a good diet and simple varnish which comes off easier for special occasions.

I agree OPI Nail Envy made my nails much worse.

I switched to uv nail wraps and do them at home, which lasts around 2-3 weeks. Much cheaper and removing it doesn't damage my nails (although one brand did weaken them slightly but I switched and the new one is great- they provide a remover and it just peels off).

I agree with @doggybootcamp , semi cured gel nail strips are a great alternative. I became allergic to something in the gel nail polish, the strips are great as you just trim them to size, cure them under a UV light for one minute and file them once they've hardened. When you don't want them on anymore you can just lift the edges slightly and peel them off. I've tried several brands and found Nailog and Worthy of to be good.

I've got strong nails but after a few applications of gel nails they are buggered and I have to leave them again until they've grown out and got stronger. I've started using Rimmel Super Gel which is a 2-step system - you put on the colour and then a "gel" topcoat. They look really nice and last a good week without chipping but come off with normal nail polish remover.

I like the look of the Worthy gel strips though recommended by WaitingfortheTardis.

It really fucked my nails tbh.
I'd get them removed, cut down really short then grow them back with lots If cuticle oil.
Use a normal polish and seche vite top
Coat which looks like gel if you want to paint them although the surfaces will be a bit flaky for a while from the gel damage.

Don't let anyone with an electric drill anywhere near your nails!

Manually buffing off just the top shiny layer so the acetone can penetrate should not damage your nails and you can easily see when to stop

Alternatively use a peel off base coat. Manicure still lasts about 10 days and no damage at all

I have been doing my own gel nails for over 12 years and my nails are in great condition

I get gel nails and if they’re removed correctly I don’t have an issue with weakening, if anything they’re stronger than they’ve ever been.

You do need to gently file down the top layer of polish to allow the acetone to work. Always just a normal emery board. Never pick and peal it off. Ever. Even when you really want to.

I try to leave a gap between gels and always use lots of cuticle oil all over the nail. Between sessions.