My experience with gel nails (color, tone, light, damage)

[jhlcomp]

I am one of those women who puts on a clear coat of polish and that's it and it is only because i have weak nails. I do indulge in pedicures at the salon. So, i was curious about gels and since i do so much with my hands, i thought maybe this would be the answer. I had them done and it was only after i got into the car that i noticed it was a pretty sloppy job. Since i had appointments, i couldn't run back in to the salon. That was on Monday.

Today, Wednesday, i noted a bit of polish on my cuticle and as i tried to remove it, a large strip of polish started to lift off the nail and with very little effort the rest of the polish came right off the nail. And here i thought this was the holy grail ... Boy was i wrong. The polish came off the other nails with no effort. I don't understand how something like this could happen.

Have any of you experienced this? Thanks!

[moonwatcher]

UV gel I assume? It never came off on me. I did it twice in a row. It completely ruined my nails. It took weeks for healthy nails to grow in.

[jhlcomp]

Yes, uv nails. I consider myself lucky after reading your post. Thank you.

[cb at sea]

I do my own nails....reqular "quick dry'' polish, 1st a base coat...then 2 color coats...then 2-3 clearcoats.....they last until the nailbed grows out.

Toes....they last MUCH longer than fingernails, as I'm not flipping through paperwork or scrubbing sinks, etc...with my tippy toes!

I'll re-do fingernails about every 8-10 days.....toenails...about 1 time a month. Easy and much cheaper than a salon!

[Peerage]

I get gel nails on my fingers and toes and love them they stay on long you don't have to polish. All I have to do is get a fill in every 6-8 weeks.

[xxbabeechick]

I haven't had the experience that you've had with gels, but imo gels aren't worth it. I don't care what anyone says, they DO chip, and the soaking that you have to do in acetone to get it the hell off damages your nails. I wore it back to back several times then my nails became thinner than paper. Back to regular mani's.

[jade408]

My sister got gels as well and echoed xxbabeechick's comments. Her nails looked horrible afterwards.

[mimimomx3]

I agree. They are horrible. Stay away. I tried it once- the UV light was very hot, the gel lifted right off a couple of days later. Not fun.

[Peerage]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

I agree. They are horrible. Stay away. I tried it once- the UV light was very hot, the gel lifted right off a couple of days later. Not fun.

sorry this happend to you. but not all nail techs are equal and quite possible the person who did your nails was not exp enough.

[sskkc]

If you're trying to grow stronger nails, gelatin works - eat it, rather than apply it

My nails have always been weak. When I was younger, I used to get artificial nails, but then I had kids and resigned myself to short nails. Then, I got very ill and was in the hospital for 1 1/2 weeks, where I ate primarily sf jello. My nails looked terrific! So, I have jello almost everyday, and it really helps them!