Gel Nails

16 years ago

Hi Everybody

I live in Princeton, NJ and I have used gel nails a couple of times for several months... I have never had any problems with the nails. However, when I remove them I feel my nails are completly dead. I usually use the nail fortifiers and so on, but my nails break very easy. I thought it might be due to the fact that in the salon I go to they remove the top layer of my nail before applying the gel. Is that the way it should be done? Are my nails being damaged for no reason??

Does anybody know good nail salons in the Princeton area??

Thanks for the help!!

Tania

Comments (7)

plasticgarden
16 years ago
I'm pretty sure this is normal. They usually buff off the top layer because it helps the fake nail stick to the natural nail better.No matter what I have ever done,my nails are in poor shape after having fake ones.Everyone I know is the same.Guess it just goes with the territory.
travelgirl8
16 years ago
Yes, i thinks shes right. I get my nails done also and when I take them off it leaves the nail a little ruff and unhealthy looking. maybe you should look into the silk wrap, i hear thats a little better for the nail.
Related Discussions
Gel Nails UV curing issues
Q
Comments (1)
I've never tried to do my nails at home, but my nail technician always wipes my nails with alchohol after the UV treatment. Have you tried that?
...See More
Gel Nails
Q
Comments (8)
I started mine with the shellac. No filing off of the first layer of nail to adhere the tip. No tip at all. I did it so my nails will be stronger to grow out for an occasion coming up in a couple more weeks. So far, I have had the shellac done twice in about 6 weeks. I am getting about 3+ weeks on it. They look like they were done yesterday. Still shiny. Work is very hard on my hands and all my nails broke way down. Now they look nice again. Just starting to show over the ends of my fingers. Shellac does NO damage to your nails. When the polish is soaked off, you can leave it off and have perfect natural nails. NO layers are missing. I love them. Now I haven't done any pottery since I have had them done and after my event I will go back to throwing and see how they do. The only downfall to shellac I was told was if your hands are in water a lot they might lift a bit. We will see. I know the wheel turning will file them down some like they did before. So we will see.
...See More
Gel Nails Question
Q
Comments (2)
Would you like to share which kind of nails you want to makeover ? I mean Acrylic, Cheetah, Start dots etc
...See More
Nail polish top coat?
Q
Comments (8)
Finally the "out the door" arrived! The OPI is strong, but not shiny. It also takes a long time to cure/dry. Out the Door dried very quickly when I applied a top coat last night on top of the OPI. I'll get my nails done on Thursday and use it instead of the OPI and see how it holds up.
...See More
shaun
16 years ago
jokerpt, they have to remove the shine from the nail in order for the product to adhere to it. Even on silk wraps.
gstaska
15 years ago
I am currently in school for cosmetology and am interested in specializing in doing nails. I have been appreciating all of the comments that have been made since i am trying to figure out the gel system and how it compares to the acrylics. How are the gels removed? I know how the acrylics are and that the process can be very aggrevating. I do know that if the acrylics are done the right way from the beginning that you do not need to use any power tools to finish.
shaun
15 years ago
Some gels can be soaked off in acetone and others have to be filed off.
dani77
15 years ago
I've been a nail tech for over six years and do both gels and acrylics. A lot of nail tech's remove too much of the nail when they buff. It is true that the nail needs to be buffed to remove the shine, but when this is done correctly it should not weaken or damage the nail at all. The natural nail should be prepared the same way no matter what type of enhancement (acrylic, gel, or wraps). It's the preparation of the natural nail that can cause damage, not the enchancement material (ie acrylic or gel).

A true gel nail can only be removed by filing and buffing. Only acrylics and wraps can be removed by soaking. Personally, I prefer acrylic nails because they are easier to remove and tend to be more durable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nailphiles
sewhappy_2007
15 years ago
I have been having my nails 'done' for many years. I started out with powder, glue and silk wraps - but found it difficult to find nail techs who did this correctly. I then started using acrylic. For me, the acrylic lift around the edges which can collect moisture - mold. For the past few years I've used gel coating and love it. I get a base gel coat - then the polish (French in my case) with a top coat of a more liquid gel. All cured under UV lights. These gel nails are more flexible, I think, and don't break, crack and lift as much as the acrylic. PLUS the top coat protects the polish perfectly so it doesn't chip. If my nails would just stop growing (LOL) I wouldn't have to have them redone more than once a month.