topic Re: Manicure issue in Beauty

Manicure issue

smoochy — Mon, 18 May 2026 01:15:23 GMT

I've been doing my own nails after having the fakes removed and growing out the damage.About three weeks ago I decided to get a gel manicure, just a mani w gel polish, no tips. The tech used a dremel file to go over my nails first. She went around the cuticles and all over. So a couple days ago I went to have the gel soaked off, idea being I will resume doing my own nails with regular polish at home. The tech used a dremel again, to remove most of the polish, then soaked the little bit that was left.

Now I have damaged nails again from that file. Not nearly as bad as if I'd had tips and gels or dip, but still- there's a definite line and my nail beds are rough. Is this how a gel mani is done these days? I thought it would be like a regular mani but with gel polish-just soaking in a bowl, cuticle work, hand filing and shaping. ???

Re: Manicure issue

Snowpuppy — Mon, 18 May 2026 01:34:20 GMT

I've never had a tech use a Dremel tool for a gel mani. They have only ever used acetone soaked pads with foil outer wraps.

I found these types of wraps at Target during Covid. Life saver as I had a gel mani when everything shut down. They were Target brand I think and 20 to a box.

Re: Manicure issue

Carmie — Mon, 18 May 2026 02:14:09 GMT

Recently, my nails were beautiful. They grew long and strong.

I got some gel polish as a gift. I should have tossed it. Instead, I used it and my Nails are awful, brittle and crunchy.

I removed the gel polish with a remover, not a dremel.

No more gel polish for me.

Re: Manicure issue

roeroe1005 — Mon, 18 May 2026 02:46:55 GMT

I've had gel nails and it damaged my nails just as much as acrylics/powder had previously done.

I saw an ad for Nail-Aid Keratin 3 Day Growth polish. I started using it. It's pretty inexpensive for what it is. I give it 200 stars! My nails stopped breaking and became very strong. Highly recommend it.

I now get a mani about once a month, and bring the polish to use for a top coat.

Re: Manicure issue

shoekitty — Mon, 18 May 2026 03:34:37 GMT

@smoochy that was pretty unprofessional of her. A Dremel should never be used to remove polish. She just didn't have the proper polish remover, and was lazy, imo. A Dremel will damage not only the nail, but if used on cuticlescan permanently damage nail. When you get to the bed, where new nail grows the Dremel (or even over zealous filing) can injure nail bed. It is soft there. Damage often can cause dented, or wavy nails. There is special remover for gel. That stuff is hard. There is a new kind of gel that is better on nails. Forgot name right now. There is a special remover as well for all gels. Gel polish , remover and products aren't cheap either. Sorry this hooe Ned..

Re: Manicure issue

smoochy — Mon, 18 May 2026 04:06:00 GMT

@shoekitty wrote:
@smoochy that was pretty unprofessional of her. A Dremel should never be used to remove polish. She just didn't have the proper polish remover, and was lazy, imo. A Dremel will damage not only the nail, but if used on cuticlescan permanently damage nail. When you get to the bed, where new nail grows the Dremel (or even over zealous filing) can injure nail bed. It is soft there. Damage often can cause dented, or wavy nails. There is special remover for gel. That stuff is hard. There is a new kind of gel that is better on nails. Forgot name right now. There is a special remover as well for all gels. Gel polish , remover and products aren't cheap either. Sorry this hooe Ned..

you know what, I did ask why a dremel was needed. She said its faster. Grrr. Thanks for clarifying how the damage occurs because of such laziness.i have some products that will get my nails into good shape pretty quickly. No more so called gel manicures.

Re: Manicure issue

Shanus — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:52:21 GMT

@smoochy Oh, no dremel! I would have stopped her immediately.

Re: Manicure issue

We rescue cats — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:55:24 GMT

I have been getting gel mannies for a very long time, probably 20 years, usually a french. NO ONE has ever touched my nails with a dremel. EVER. I arrive 15 minutes before my scheduled time, they immediately wrap my nails with acetone pads and put gloves on me. The polish is quickly removed.

Re: Manicure issue

Dusty1 — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:57:36 GMT

@smoochy I'm sorry. Hopefully your nails will grow out quickly.

You go to a "professional" & you trust them.

I would keep my nails trimmed & moisturized until the damage is gone.

I don't do nail polish because I don't have pretty hands & nothing seems to stay on my nails.

I did just buy some Lily & Fox Nail Wraps that I am going to try. It may be a waste but they were only $2.99 a set with free shipping.

Re: Manicure issue

Sunshine Kate — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:58:20 GMT

I don't want a dremel used on my nails, ruins them for sure.

In fact, I'm thinking about doing my own nails now. Seems like mani/pedis are getting expensive in my area and are no longer worth it to me -- or my natural nails.

There's many nail salons in my area and can't say anything good about any of them.

Re: Manicure issue

Shelbelle — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:01:12 GMT

I have had long, strong natural nails my entire adult life, no way would I ever get gel or a dip mani. I use regular nail polish even though I have to put up with the chipping, but I still have my nails.