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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,793
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

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. ???

MICHIGAN STATE MOM
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,121
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,265
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

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.

 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,913
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

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.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,226
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Manicure issue

[ Edited ]

@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..

“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,793
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@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. 

MICHIGAN STATE MOM
Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,904
Registered: ‎05-17-2010

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

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,651
Registered: ‎01-25-2023

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. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,953
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@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.

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,969
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

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.