Gel Manicures: Solutions and Advice

Happy Wednesday hair, beauty and nail lovers! It is time once again for another column on beauty advice, yet again tackling the concerns over gel manicures and the problems that arise with having the gel nail polish applied and removed poorly.

This week’s question comes all the way from the United Arab Emirates. This is why I love what I do and when you read the gratitude that poured from this reader, you will also understand how grateful I am for all of you who have read, subscribed and followed my columns.

Hi Deirdre,

I hope you don’t mind me emailing you as I saw your email address on the Internet linked to questions about gel manicures. I have had a terrible adverse reaction to 2 gel manicures I have had in the last 6 weeks.

I had overall 3 gel manicures done without giving my nails a chance to breathe and since I had the gel removed a week ago my nails are completely damaged. There is a small white line about 1/3 of the way above my nail which is slightly red underneath and the nail itself is so weak and brittle it slightly bends backwards or forwards if pressure is applied. There is absolutely no strength in them whatsoever and it is as if I do not have nails.

I am quite concerned and am currently using a nail tonic conditioner twice a day but I just wanted to run it by you if you happen to have any advice you can give me?

I am not sure if this will pass and go back to normal if I give them time to recover or if this is something I should get checked and possibly take something for.

If you have any advice that would be so much appreciated – I will never do this to my poor nails again what an experience.

Many thanks again.

Kind regards, Rebecca

Hi Rebecca.

Of course it is fine to email me, no worries. I am sorry you have had such a bad time of it. If gel nail polish is not removed properly, it will damage the nail bed and if nails are already weak, they only become weaker with gel manicures, however, there is hope as the body continuously heals itself.

I would not put any color on your nails until they become stronger and the redness you describe goes away. If the redness gets worse, hurts or starts to yellow, see a doctor as it may be infected, but if it appears to heal you are ok. This is why it is best to not use a colored polish so you can keep an eye on the nails.

I recommend a cuticle oil such as solar oil or Esse’s Apricot Oil to use on the nails every day, even twice a day to restore the pliability.

Next I would use a clear nail hardener everyday to restore strength. Nail Envy from OPI for Dry and Brittle nails works wonders. The first application is 2 coats and then once a day for about two weeks until your nails regain their strength. Also adding Knox Gelatine to food or drink strengthens the nails as well from the inside out.

I hope this helps.

Please keep me informed of your progress and best of luck!

Deirdre

Hi Deirdre, thank you so very much for your email and kindness in taking the time to reply to me. So lovely and many thanks I do appreciate it.

You have put my mind to rest in many ways since now I know it is just a matter of time and taking care of them till they are restored to normal. I have made a note of the products you mentioned below and will look them up – just a quick question do you recommend using the nail hardener from now or leaving it for a few weeks? Since they were covered in this gel I have been leaving them to breathe except for cuticle cream and the nail conditioning oil I use twice a day. They are so brittle however it almost looks as if I bite my nails, imagine. If you advise using the nail hardener from now I will get onto it.

Since this experience I have been doing some research on gel manicures and am astonished at the controversy surrounding them particularly with the dangers linked to the UV light involved – here in the UAE there is no warning about them at all and nothing has of yet been mentioned in the press. Very scary.

Thanks again so much Deirdre – you are a lifesaver!

Where are you based by the way?

Have a great weekend

Kind regards, Rebecca

You are very welcome. I am in New York. Yes, you should begin using the nail hardener right away, without polish to make sure an infection doesn’t form. As soon as you see the nail beds begin to heal you can start using colored lacquer again, but I would avoid the gel until your nails heal.

Best of luck to you!

Ah thank you so much Deirdre and how kind of you to email me with all your wonderful advice — very very lovely and I do appreciate it.

I will get the nail hardener ASAP and get onto it. As for gel manicures, never, ever again. They spell danger and health concerns I believe.

Thanks so much Deirdre – keep warm in lovely New York and will keep you posted how it all goes! You are a lifesaver.

Kind regards, Rebecca!

I don’t believe I need to add anything to our email exchange, except, thank you Rebecca for sending me your gel manicure question.

Readers, please note, that while I am a licensed beautician, I am not a doctor, and it is imperative to seek a physician’s advice should an infection occur.

Also, before some readers get their tails in a bunch, I want to let it be known I am not adverse to gel manicures. The picture above is of my nails and that is a gel manicure. I used Red Carpet Manicure at-home gel nail polish kit with an LED light. I do not do gel manicures often. As I always say, everything in moderation.

I need my natural nails to grow for a wedding in a few weeks and the gel nail polish will protect them until I head to the nail salon. I will remove it myself using the RCM Remove kit, gently and non-abrasively. Gel manicures can be wonderful, when applied and removed correctly.

If you are curious as to what I did on my stubs, I attempted to create an ombre effect for St. Patrick’s Day using the Red Carpet Manicure gel nail polish colors “Camera Shy” first, then with a sponge applied “Show Me The Money” to the tips and dragged it down, then applied “Glitteratzzi” over both, curing in between each application.

One last note: When caring for a gel manicure, it is always optimal to apply a cuticle oil everyday, even with the gel nail polish on, to condition the cuticle and nail bed.

Happy Styling! And if you have a hair, beauty or nail question you would like answered, use the contact form above to the right, or email me at DeirdreAHaggerty@gmail.com.