Removing artifical nails, now what? (color, salon, light, damage)

[Pivot Point]

I wore those acrylic nail tips once, 2 years ago, for two weeks. I have had a problem with my nails ever since. Overall, most of them are now thin and brittle. This was not the case before using the acrylic nails. I have the biggest problem with one nail that grows in extremely thin and splits as soon as it passes the nail bed. I have tried using Hard as Nails, taking special vitamins for nails, carefully monitoring it to protect the nail from damage, but nothing works. I was told that removing the tips so damaged my nail bed that the nail can no longer grow in healthily. My next step is seeing a dermatologist.

So, do artificial nails damage real nails? They certainly can, and did in my case. I don't care how many degrees this expert has. All I have to do is look at my nail to know the truth.

[MissShona]

Hello. I've worn acrylic nails and gel nails off an on since I was about...oh 15 maybe (I'm 29 now). I times I had them for a year (maybe even longer) before I removed them. I also went maybe 3 years without getting them. I just recently started the acrylic nail routine again.

With that being said, I never, ever had an issue with my natural nails being "weak". I don't do anything special; except take a calcium and vitamin supplement and use just basic polish on my natural nails. Then again, I will also say that my family has some "good nail" genes. My aunt's (my Dad's sister) has natural nails that grow as strong and maybe half as thick as acrylics tend to be.

So I believe that nails are like hair. You can make generalities...but some of us just have better genes than others is really what it boils down to.

[A-Shultz]

I totally agree with MissShona. I have naturally thin, weak, soft fingernails. They get white spots on them from the slightest whack on a hard surface. They are difficult to grow long. It's just the type of nails I was born with and I can swallow vitamins and rub lotions on, but not much will change.

I had gel nails for a year and a half, going in every two weeks for a fill religiously until I finally just got tired of having long nails. I stripped them off myself with acetone, and my natural nails beneath were thin and ugly, just because of the repeated Dremel-sandings and fills by the technicians. I painted clear protein-enriched polish on them for a few weeks and they grew back in exactly as they always had, no problem.

I've come to terms with shorter fingernails and enjoy the speed at which I can type. If I want the long nails back, I can get them, knowing they did no permanent damage the first time around.

[GinnyGin]

Hiya

I have worn acrylic nails for 16yrs
started out wearing the stick on one's from a drug store, they are not recommended to wear on a permanent basis (the glue is not sufficiant enough to stick to the nail bed as well as acrylic/gel/fibreglass or silk enhancements.
I then started to have the professionaly applied nails about 10yrs ago, I went to a very well established young lady that was highly rec by my hair stylist, I paid way over the top for nails and i have to say they were worth every penny.
I have since trained with Designer Nails and maintain my own on a regular basis..I have attached a picture of my nail enhancements so you can ssee for yourselfs that my nail are in tip top condition.

If you would like to research further into how nails are applied, there is a website full of information on tips and tricks of the trade..and not just nails. (it's just a site that offers professional advise from world wide professional hairdresser/nail techs/cosmetic consultants ans skin specialist's) www.salongeek.com

I do hope you have the faith to trust one day, i'm sure if you have had a bad experience it will take a while.
Get advise from trainers and trade exhibitions or beauty websites that sell beauty magazines.
sadly for a good nail tech you will have to pay that little extra, they don't often come on the cheap.

GinnyGin UK

[GinnyGin]

picture of my nails..if i can post it??
GinnyGin x

[GinnyGin]

GinnyGin x

[GinnyGin]

GinnyGin x

just want to post you a few picts to show you how nice nails can look..these are my nails.

I was a nail tech..but now i'm into other things, I still have my nails done every 3 weeks

[MB2]

Well....first, any and everything you "modify" and "enhance" on or in your body comes with certain risks....and people should be aware of those beforehand.
However.....the notion of making gel or acrylic nail enhancement sound "safe", couldn't be further from the truth.
I am not even going to go into the chemical compounds make- up of the gel or acrylic substance...but go further into the mold, mildew, bacterias and fungus' which can be spread and trapped underneath the artificial nail surface.
I don't know but....is that "proven safe " ????

If anyone paid ANY attention in school etc., we know, that bacteria and fungus needs an ideal environment in order to multiply and grow.
So, if you cover up a natural protein (which nails are made out of), and spread a non- breathable plastic surface on it....what do you get ?
It traps heat and moisture, and "locks" in already existing bacteria and such already on the natural nail itself.....an IDEAL moist and warm environment for mold, mildew, bacteria and fungus to thrive and live happy in.

I had fake nails for years, and was very much aware of the risks and all, I was exposing myself to. (But did it anyway)
However.....to state that they are "SAFE" couldn't be further from the truth !

I am NOT posting any links on here about medical findings, case studies and facts concerning this particular topic....because there are just to many
However, do I encourage members to just type in the phrase : "Medical risks of fake fingernails", and read up on reports and findings conducted by the medical field and universities around the world and country.
real eye opener....let me tell you. And, you might be "lucky" enough, to find case study pictures of infected naturals nails to the point, where they are non- existent anymore....eaten away by trapped fungus and bacteria, spreading into deeper tissues of the fingers, hands and body.
I sure would love to ask those "case study" girls, if they liked their artificial nails (at one point I am sure they did).....but now, if they want them back.....and if they would recommend them to anyone.
I hightly doubt it, since some of those girls don't respond to the medications given, to eradicate and eliminate the fungus and/ or bacteria, since some of those strains grown resistant even to the highest doses of medications given.

Hey.....I am not telling anyone what to do....just giving the "heads up" on what "COULD" happen as a worse case scenario. (And, unfortunately, that happens more often then one might want to think or believe).
If anyone has fake fingernails....enjoy them. But, be aware of the dangers involved of doing so.

[Roma]

I had acrylics nails for years on and off. I finally decided about 3 years ago to remove them and keep them off. My nails were so damaged and thin and scaly. They hurt so bad. I will never put those things on my nails again.

Now I just wear them completely natural. I'm looking for a natural product to use on them as a top coat. I don't even want to use regular polish because of the chemicals in them.

It's funny to look back and think of all the crazy things I did to myself in the name of beauty.

[GinnyGin]

Hiya,

Can i just say that this sort of damage to the natural nail is usually caused by
1. the nail technician's poor training and lack of ability
2. the use of MMA
3. clients taking them off with their teeth with force or damaging them when they are worn toooooo long
3. techs not maintaining the nail correctly and not cleansing the nail plate.
4. leaving them on too long between maintenance until they finally fall off with a little nibble. YUK


the natural nail bed should only be filed/prep with a soft natural nail file (NOT A DRILL OR ACRYLIC FILES)
the nail bed, should be dehydrated with a nail sanitizer before any nail application. to ensure the nail bed is clean, also remove the cuticle witch will add to the lifting of the nail and this will encourage bacteria.

If a bacteria has formed under the nail due to lift and water getting underneath the nail enhancement then it should be removed professionally and sanitized before another application.
MMA is not for use on the natural nail bed...sadly even though this product is banned in many country's, it's still available to buy. as it's used in other industry's such as dentist's. the reasons why nail tech avoid the MMA possible dangers, it's cheaper than the professional products.

The nail industry has had such a bad time/publicity etc because of poor training..I just hope that one day this industry will be able to shout loud enough to educate the general public..to stop them going to back street nail bars or the cheapest place there is.

GinnGin x

In some cases i have seen clients that have had to have anti-biotics...this problem was only through a nail tech with very little knowledge on the natural nail. when people are asked why there nails are in such bad shape, it usually alway's boiles down to the same old storie
bad technician/cheap nails/and harsh removal