Home gel manicures - what am I doing wrong?

[surreygirl1987]

I have a mylee home manicure lamp and blue-sky gel polish. I do everything as instructed. I use base coat, two layers of polish, then top coat. I use the lamp between each coat. However, within less than 24 hours, my polish always starts chipping or peeling. I don't have this issue with proper manicures done in a salon; they last for ages. So what am I doing wrong? Thanks!

I would recommend you go to someone who is qualified, insured, and uses professional products.

I hate to sound like a dick, but the high levels of acrylate allergies we are currently seeing is because of people using these kits at home with no understanding of what they're putting on their nails, and what can wrong if it's not done properly.

No not a dick at all; I appreciate the new info!

However are you saying they NO home lamps are safe? Only salon ones?

What they’re saying is too many people do diy nails without understanding the risks. For example mixing brands and risks of allergy with undercuring and curing with product on the skin which can cause allergies again.

I got a Mylee set and the gel polish that came with it was rubbish, it stayed much better when I tried other brands of gel

It's not about products and lamps. It's about technique and education.

I'm saying that these substances (even professional brands) are not safe to use if you don't understand what they are and why they are dangerous if used incorrectly.

They don't suddenly become safe to use at home with no training if you're using the recommended lamp with the recommended product, because there are other risk factors for allergies (eg application). If you don't know WHY it's a problem, you can't possibly hope to apply it safely.

Have a look here https://www.bad.org.uk/dermatologists-issue-warning-about-uk-artificial-nail-allergy-epidemic/

Thank you! I just read it and it was an interesting read.

However, 8 years of doing home manicures and no allergies (yet - at least not that I'm aware of!) thankfully!

I've read all the threads on this subject!!! I've come to the conclusion that my nails have just become oilier as Ive got older.

I did my nails with mylee and blue sky for years and it was fine - hardest part was removing my pristine nail polish after 2 weeks. Then recently it started peeling after a few days. I did my sister's nails with the sane process and hers didn't budge so I think it's my nails.

Something that I did pick up from here which did help I think was prepping properly and making sure my nails were completely dry before the start - so if I had filed my nails down not to wash them but wipe the dust off with alcohol.

After reading up about the chemicals I did switch to powder nails. I have no doubt that the chemicals in them are no better for you but the polish doesn't budge at all.

These allergens aren’t just found in home gel kits though. They’re also in eyelash glue & nail glue amongst other things & are widely used in industry. Also many plastics that are in everyday use in all areas
Going to a salon isn’t necessarily safe though as it’s been shown in studies that over 20 per cent of respondents had experienced adverse effects from acrylic nails applied in salons, and a similar per cent from gel polish nails applied in salons. I’m not a beautician but was an industrial research chemist before retirement.

Yes, acrylates are found in many things. The issue with home gel kits is not simply that they have acrylates in them, it's that the level of acrylates found in these is well, well above the recommended safe levels. This is why it's recognised that they have had a massive contribution to the spike in allergies.

Regarding salons, you are absolutely correct that not all salons are safe. Non standard salons (which are usually walk-in only and cash only) are known for using MMA (methyl-methacrylate) in the liquid powder system (acrylic) which is well known to cause allergies when used for nail services. Like all acrylates, MMA it's safe to be used for some things but not others. There are also professional brands of gel which have dangerously high levels of acrylates.

Unfortunately this, and other dangerous practices, can happen in non standard salons because there isn't really any regulation in the industry at all, which needs to change.

I have been doing my own nails at home for 20 years. Never had an allergic reaction to anything. However, I did get my nails done professionally before this for around 5 years so knew what they did. I also educated myself on how to prep the nail, what products to use. I use Gelish for nail prep and have had great results with it. I am unable to grow my own nails to any length and I have tried everything and no it has nothing to do with having my nails done because I have gone for very long periods without doing my nails taking every supplement and treating my nails with products but it never works.

Anyway, youtube is full of nail techs posting about nail health ie Nailcou and how to prep nails. You need to educate yourself on prepping your nail. I would not be using 8 year old nail products either but learn first about the nail, what the cuticle actually is ie not the proximal fold.

Try buffing your nails etc. before forking out any more money. Give them a good going over with the toughest side of a buffing block. Make double sure you've buffed absolutely every part of the nail. Should feel rough. This is for adhesion. Then you need to make sure all the residue is off and ensure the nails are bone dry. I use the hairdryer for a few secs. Then you can start with the base coat.

I had the same lamp as you and curing always took at least a minute. I've got a Mylee LED and it's much quicker.