I have never tried acrylic nails. Fortunately my real nails are strong enough and grow quickly enough to look okay with polish. But when I rinse off dishes, give the kids baths, etc., the nail polish never stays on for more than 2-3 days and retouching the polish is a constant battle. Some observant viewers have noticed I paint over chips during commercials. All that changed when I finally was convinced to give shellac manicures a try. Essentially, it’s nail polish on real nails but with some additional chemical component that keeps the polish on with NO chips for weeks. It’s pretty amazing, actually. I can go 4-6 weeks, easily, with no change in the appearance other than nail bed outgrowth. The problem comes with getting them redone. At the salon I have to soak my fingers in some unknown solution and the polish has to be scraped off with a tool. So far the only negative result has been weakened nails underneath. Need feedback on whether I should continue these gel manis. Any nail experts out there?
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 57
This post was written by Tara on March 8, 2013
Tara I have alot of bad things about the gel manicures the UV light they use to set the Polish is harmful to skin and like you said it weakens the nail bed and can allow bacteria to grow. I will miss you being on the news good luck with your new job.
Don’t do anything that weakens your nails….and if this has to be scraped off, that’s likely not good for the nails either. Had a bad experience with nail tips that created a fungus that took medicine and about 6 months to get rid of! I have been using OPI products ever since and have had very good results…tough nails and the strengthener can be used as a base coat and a top coat over polish!
A friend does manis and pedis. She told me how to take the polish off myself: “soak” a cotton ball in polish remover, place is on the nail and wrap in foil. Leave about 10 minutes. Polish should peel right off. Worked for me! good luck!
A friend does manis and pedis, and did my nails with the shellac once. She told me how to remove the polish myself: soak a cotton ball in polish remover, place on the nail and wrap in foil. Leave on about 10 minutes, and the polish should peel/rub right off. Good luck!
I used that type once & just used the asatone base remover and it kinda peeled right off
I know some people who get the at home shellac kit for $60 and you get 10 manicures from it. I have been told it can be removed with regular nail polish remover. I am considering it myself
Hi Tara!
My daughter is a dermatologist and specializes in cosmetic dermatology. She would tell you to always keep things as natural as possible and that you will be weakening your nail beds that can cause long term damage and that may lead to problems in the future. Even though the nails look beautiful,I know she sees many patients who have issues after using the gels or the fake nails, and she would tell you it is not worth it.
On another note, our family will really miss you. Your professional demeanor and obvious enjoyment of the staff, plus the quick wit, will be difficult to replace. Best wishes to you as you prepare for another adventure and we have always thought you are beautiful inside and out.
I have been getting the no chip manicures for over a year now. They are fantastic. The salon I go to places a cotton ball soaked in a special remover over each nail and then wrap each in aluminum foil. They then wait about 5 minutes and then can scrape the old polish off very easily. I had my doubts when I first tried it but can find absolutely nothing wrong with it. My nails have remained healthy and strong .
I LOVED the shellac nail until… I stopped doing it and found my nails to be so weakened from removing the shellac time after time that it took FOREVER to get them to grow out to the point the weakened nail was gone. I would really hesitate to ever do it again, although I really loved the look and ease.
I haven’t tried it, but this morning on one of the morning news shows, they were talking about this type of nail polish, I didn’t hear all that was said, but they were talking about precautions to take. You might want to do some research before you continue to use it.
I have been going to Diana at Finishing Touch Day Spa for about a year 1/2 for shellac manicures. She is an expert in shellac and overall nail care. I don’t have problems with weak nails and I have manicures on a regular basis.
Nail fungus could be a nasty result of chemicals that require being scraped off! I would definitely do some research before doing this!
Hi Tara- I would like to address 2 things for you!
1st- My name is Diana McEnroe I am rated Grand master with Creative Nail Design. I have been doing nails in the Cedar valley for 23 years.So I definitely have education behind me! When you receive a service from me I not only educate you about the products that I am using on your nails and skin but also give you an education about your nails and how and why they grow. I also teach you about your hand habits and how they affect your nail growth. Over buffing the nail can cause it to thin as well as improper removal. If your technician does not have the proper training this can happen. You also need to do some at home work to keep your nails healthy while having any kind of enhancement. If you would like to have your nails done with an educated nail technician give me a call 319-232-0045
2nd: I would like to address some misconceptions about UV/LED Services by an expert name Doug Schoon
Doug Schoon says:
Pretty disappointed in Good Morning America, repeating much of the same misinformation about gel manicures. No way GMA; the “chemicals” don’t thin the nail plate. That’s silly of you to say and the demonstrates that your experts don’t understand the issues. Nail thinning is caused by improper over filling during application and incorrect removal procedures, not the chemicals. Too many nail techs are over filing the nail plate and helping to give gel manicures an undeserved bad name. That needs to stop! Also, the GMA experts are pretty clueless to continue recommending LED nail lamps, as an so-called “alternative” to UV nail lamps. Give me a break. LED lamps are UV nail lamps too. When these are TV shows going to actually talk to experts in the nail industry, not dermatologist who barely understand these products and services? Nail techs demand that these shows bring on real experts that work in the industry. That’s the only way the truth will ever be told.
Putting shellac will not do justice to your nails — it is like puttiing car paint on them. My niece who is a doctor was the one who told me that (true or not I believe her). Also she said it would help to put sun block on your hands beforehand to protect you from skin damage. Bob and I were sad to see you leave KWWL. We will miss you.