Question For Those With Gel Nails

patticakes · ‎03-10-2010

i've had gel nails in the past but not for some time and not for very long. For those of you that are more experienced with gel nails, is there any way to keep your natural nails in good condition while doing the gels? As I recall my natural nails were slightly damaged looking when I decided to not continue with gels. I reallly like the way the gels look and how long they last. Is there a way to prevent damage?

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

I did gel nails for many years at the salon but have stopped since Covid and have learned to do my own manicures at home. I don't always polish but when I do it's a simple light color. The only way I found to keep my nails from getting damaged was to do the gels for a couple of months then take a couple weeks off to let them breathe, then I would go back to it. This helped in my case and the damage to the nail bed was minimal.

Imaoldhippie · ‎06-10-2015

To my knowledge all fake nails make your real nails dry, scaly and very soft. I do not believe there is a way to take care of your own nails when you have acrylic or gel nails.

LIFE IS TO SHORT TOO FOLD FITTED SHEETS

KittySoftPaws · ‎07-21-2020

@patticakes I CAN'T COMMENT ON THE NAILS BECAUSE I DON'T FUSS WITH THE FINGERNAILS. IT DOESN'T LAST WELL FOR ME AND IT'S JUST TOO MUCH MAINTENCE BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE I KEEP MY NAILS SHORT TO KEEP THEM HYGENIC. THE THOUGHT OF HAVING GUNK UNDER MY NAILS GROSSES ME OUT.

I DO HOWEVER LIKE A NICE GEL POLISH ON THE TOENAILS, THEY LAST MUCH LONGER. I PURCHASED A GEL UV LAMP AND GEL POLISH AND DO MY OWN AT HOME WITH GREAT RESULTS.

I DID HOWEVER JUST GET A PEDICURE FOR MY VACATION, AND IT WAS A NICE TREAT OTHER THAN MY ONE BIG TOE GOT A LITTLE SWOLLEN, RED, AND PAINFUL. I WAS WORRIED IT WAS A PENDING INFECTION SO I TREATED IT WITH NEOSPORIN AND ALOE GEL FROM THE PLANT AND LUCKILY IT'S HEALING ALTHOUGH NOT COMPLETLEY YET.

I THINK HE WENT OVERBOARD ON CLIPPING THE CUTICLES, SO NEXT TIME IT WILL BE SKIPPED. I HADN'T HAD A PEDICURE IN LIKE 6 YEARS. THE LADY NEXT TO ME SAID SHE GOES EVERY 2 WEEKS. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, IT FIGURES!

"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." Charles Dickens

smoochy · ‎03-10-2010

no there isn't a way to prevent damage. The prep of the natural nails for gels and the removal of gels is damaging. No way around it. You have to decide if you want that look, knowing it's beautiful and long lasting but damaging; or do you want healthy natural nails that will also require some maintenance. I have opted for natural.

MICHIGAN STATE MOM

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
To my knowledge all fake nails make your real nails dry, scaly and very soft. I do not believe there is a way to take care of your own nails when you have acrylic or gel nails.

Gel nails are not fake they are a polish over your real rails

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.