Terrible nails after builder gel removal

[FlowerUser]

I had to have my builder gel nails removed because I had an operation a few weeks ago. I used to bite them but false nails stopped the habit.

Since then, they break all the time. Little chunks and tears, that I file with an emery board. They are growing but still not above my fingertips. The left ring finger just tore off.

What can I do to help them grow? To be honest, it’s expensive to have them done professionally and I am not good at doing my own. I would like to have nice natural nails that are strong and just over my fingertips, that I could have manicured and painted for special occasions, but wouldn’t need to have gel every three weeks.

Any ideas?

I literally have some of this!

I bought it by mistake instead of cuticle oil.

Gels ruin my nails. I occasionally have it done for fun but then literally have to regrow the full length of my nails before it feels stronger. Total myth that gel doesn't ruin your nails.

Thank you so much everyone for the tips and advice. I can’t take collagen because I have a connective tissue disorder and collagen has no effect, as it’s genetic.

They were removed by my nail salon, using soaking and filing, and she cut them short, which I had hoped she wouldn’t do.

It costs £33 every three and a half weeks or so, which I really can’t justify, so once these have grown out, I will probably just have a gel polish manicure without the gel/acrylic nails. I would only have gel because it doesn’t chip, so any other ideas, or recommendations for the best brand of gel polish would be great.

Get yourself a glass nail file @FlowerUser
I used to have soft flaky nails and had acrylics for a few years but they are not good for a gardener as you can't keep them clean enough to be hygienic (in my opinion anyway). It took a good while for the damaged nails to grow out after having them removed but they are now strong and don't flake.
The glass file has made a huge difference to me.

Essie is a complete game changer

Essie gel couture top coat which doesn't need a lamp is excellent. I cam get a week from any polish with this on top. Over a week if I use their gel couture colour too

Nearly three months later with daily application of CND Rescue Rx, here are my beautiful, long, strong nails. I have no desire to bite them and they look great without polish.

Thank you for your help. ♥️

@FlowerUser thank you so much for the update and photo. I had to have my BIAB and gel removed for an op and my nails were in a dreadful state! I bought stick on nails and my nails grew under them but as soon as I removed the false nails I was back to square one with broken flaky nails. Going to try this CND product.

It's this stuff.

I would love to have gel polish on them - not false nails, just the polish under a lamp - but I don't know if it will damage them.

Glaize nails require no glue or UV lamp but give the impression of having had professionally applied gel. I have been getting the custom sized ones.

I am looking for salon nails. I just make a smear mess if I do it myself. 🤣

Yeah. Me too. Which is why I've gone to using these nail wraps. They are precured gels that you press on to your nails. And then you are good to go and you look like you have been to the salon.

They're brilliant! And I just got a Black Friday deal, buy two sets get one free. All for £30 which is less than I was paying for a single gel nail manicure.

Thank you! I'll see how I go with them.

I agree. The removal looks brutal, especially in the Asian salons. Seeing those electric files looks terrifying.

My manicurist won't do gels although she'll do shellac. She said gels are a bastard to get off.