Gel Manicure removal

[My5Mouseketeers]

First let me say this is a budget question because I work/live in a world where I am expected to always have my nails done I was getting almost a month out of each french gel manicure. Which was saving me about $50 a month

The place I go soaks my nails in remover, wipes it off and then uses a scraper or drummel tool to take off the remaining polish. I think this is killing my nails. Do all places remove them like that?

I have decided to stop going to the place I normally use and have just been painting my nails myself (which certainly do not look as good as when they are done professionally). I want to wait till all the weak, scratched, part grows out and then hopefully start getting them done again after the summer.

I would love to go back to the Gel Manicures, but if scraping off the polish is the standard practice then I think I will have to go back to a traditional french.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Not sure about the gel part being removed, but I do know that when they put on nails they should not use a dremel to sand down the nail. It can permenantly damage your nail bed and you will never have decent natural nails. If no one comes along to answer, I recommend doing a google search or a youtube search. I'm sure one of them would have a good answer found.

 

[woodkins]

It depends on the type of gel manicure you get. I get a Shellac brand gel manicure & there is no scraping, drilling etc. To remove the gel manicure you take a cotton pad/ball, soak it in acetone & put it directly on top of your nail. Wrap the nail/finger in tin foil and sit for about 10 mins. When you remove the foil & cotton the gel polish literally pops up off your nail. Any remnants can be scratched off with an orange stick.

There is no damage to the nails at all. In fact I think my nails are longer and stronger since starting the Shellac manicures. There is another brand called Gelish which is also great and requires no drilling, sanding etc. I would personally stay away from the Axxiom brand of gel manicure as many people I know have had issues with removing it and having some damage.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Go somewhere that does shellac polish. It lasts 2 weeks (maybe longer) it's super strong nail polish. There is no removing it with a drill thingy. Some salons will fill it in once before removing it (soaking your fingernails in acetone)

 

[Witch Mountain]

It depends on the type of gel manicure you get. I get a Shellac brand gel manicure & there is no scraping, drilling etc. To remove the gel manicure you take a cotton pad/ball, soak it in acetone & put it directly on top of your nail. Wrap the nail/finger in tin foil and sit for about 10 mins. When you remove the foil & cotton the gel polish literally pops up off your nail. Any remnants can be scratched off with an orange stick.

There is no damage to the nails at all. In fact I think my nails are longer and stronger since starting the Shellac manicures. There is another brand called Gelish which is also great and requires no drilling, sanding etc. I would personally stay away from the Axxiom brand of gel manicure as many people I know have had issues with removing it and having some damage.

This, 100%!

I have extremely soft nails and Shellac has made them stronger. Best part is no dremelling.

My nail tech got certified in both Shellac and Gelish, but she told me Gelish would pucker up like a golf ball, so she stopped doing manicures with it. Shellac doesn't have as many colors, but they can layer.

I'm in a job where it's better for me to have manicured nails, and I get so many compliments on them with the Shellac.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I also agree - go for the Shellac. I had the gel nails once and only once -never again

Bonny

 

[Poohforyou]

First let me say this is a budget question because I work/live in a world where I am expected to always have my nails done I was getting almost a month out of each french gel manicure. Which was saving me about $50 a month

The place I go soaks my nails in remover, wipes it off and then uses a scraper or drummel tool to take off the remaining polish. I think this is killing my nails. Do all places remove them like that?

I have decided to stop going to the place I normally use and have just been painting my nails myself (which certainly do not look as good as when they are done professionally). I want to wait till all the weak, scratched, part grows out and then hopefully start getting them done again after the summer.

I would love to go back to the Gel Manicures, but if scraping off the polish is the standard practice then I think I will have to go back to a traditional french.

Really, I didn't know this was a requirement to live in Middletown .

 

[okeydokey]

I do my own shellac at home. You can buynthe stud on amazon. There are you tube video telling how to use it. I love this stuff. I actually have long nails now.

 

[BzBeiber]

Yes I agree - I used Shellac as well. Good product, reasonably priced, and easily obtainable via Amazon, Buy.com, Overstock.com, and all the other major online ecommerce sites. Just load up before your trip, but be sure you order yours in TSA-friendly package sizes.

 

[mickeysgal]

It depends on the type of gel manicure you get. I get a Shellac brand gel manicure & there is no scraping, drilling etc. To remove the gel manicure you take a cotton pad/ball, soak it in acetone & put it directly on top of your nail. Wrap the nail/finger in tin foil and sit for about 10 mins. When you remove the foil & cotton the gel polish literally pops up off your nail. Any remnants can be scratched off with an orange stick.

Go somewhere that does shellac polish. It lasts 2 weeks (maybe longer) it's super strong nail polish. There is no removing it with a drill thingy. Some salons will fill it in once before removing it (soaking your fingernails in acetone)

What is the right way to remove the reminants of the old manicure...soaking the fingers in acetone or wrapping each tip of the finger?

 

[woodkins]

What is the right way to remove the reminants of the old manicure...soaking the fingers in acetone or wrapping each tip of the finger?

I prefer wrapping the fingers with the cotton and tin foil. It's what works best for me. I've never had a problem doing it this way.

 

[CurlyGirl]

It depends on the type of gel manicure you get. I get a Shellac brand gel manicure & there is no scraping, drilling etc. To remove the gel manicure you take a cotton pad/ball, soak it in acetone & put it directly on top of your nail. Wrap the nail/finger in tin foil and sit for about 10 mins. When you remove the foil & cotton the gel polish literally pops up off your nail. Any remnants can be scratched off with an orange stick.

I had a Gelish manicure and what I quoted above is how they removed the polish. However, I go to a salon that doesn't do artificial nails, so there are no drills or dremmels or anything like that, anyway. They only do natural nails. No way would I agree to have drills or dremmels touch my nails to remove a Gelish manicure!

 

[rundisneymom]

I do my own shellac at home. You can buynthe stud on amazon. There are you tube video telling how to use it. I love this stuff. I actually have long nails now.

Yes I agree - I used Shellac as well. Good product, reasonably priced, and easily obtainable via Amazon, Buy.com, Overstock.com, and all the other major online ecommerce sites. Just load up before your trip, but be sure you order yours in TSA-friendly package sizes.

I was thinking of making the initial investment to do this at home for myself. What wattage UV lamp do you use? There are so many on the market, in all different price ranges...does Shellac require a certain wattage to set properly?

 

[DaisyLynn]

http://youtu.be/5TCQ0wdvmz4

I've not tried Shellac, but my manicurist used the OPI Axxium product on my nails for over a year before I moved away, having to leave my awesome nail tech behind. I loved it, but part of that was her I think. She would mix custom colors, she could fill the color without having to take it all off each time and have it look amazing. I found a salon that used it where I'm at now, and while the woman was nice enough, the process became SOOOOO SLOOOOOW. Not her fault, she only had two clients that went to her for that....so not a lot of practice.

I would try Shellac, but I've seen quite a few people who have gone to local places to have it done, and honestly - my nails look better when I do it myself. I think the stuff is too new in my area and the "experts" are not there yet, kwim?

I now do my own nails, each Sunday night. I discovered Zoya nail products and am in LOVE! I use their color lock system and I can go a full week with no chips. They have some great promos, worth checking out.

I love talking nails.

 

[*Seanaci*]

So, am I right in that you do not have fake nails...they are just doing a gel polish? If this is the case...all it should take is soaking your nail in acetone nail polish remover (read the label carefully). I would think the only way they would need to use the drummel or some other tool is if you're having fake nails rebased.

As for letting your nails "heal" (so to speak) is wise. I did fake nails for like a year...and when I decided to take them off, they were so weak and awful. I went to my local beauty supply and looked for something called Formula 10...but the clerk handed me something else (name escapes me at the moment, but when you open the box, it's a pink liquid; I'll try and post with the correct name tomorrow) and said it works wonders. I started using it a couple times a week...and within a matter of a few months, my nails were stronger and longer.

I've not heard of the Shellac manicure...sounds good though.

 

[Dee & Greg]

I had the Axiomm gel manicure, and yes, it damaged my natural nails. Took the top layer off! Never again! I haven't tried the Shellac..

 

[sweet angel]

Really, I didn't know this was a requirement to live in Middletown .

That's what I was thinking. Honestly, I think well groomed, unpolished nails look better than some of the funky displays of professional manicures I've seen.

There is no way using a dremel or soaking your fingers in acetone can be good for you.

 

[gracie1]

I have had tips on before and when I did I went to a nail place that would use the drills, etc. I ended up getting an infection on my nail.
The last time I went to an upscale salon and had the nails put on and they don't use any kind of equipment. It is all done by hand, and they actually put stuff on to protect the nails. And if you have them on for 6 months, they makeyou remove them to give your nails some breathing time and then they will put the set back on. I loved their nails!! I took them off and my nails have been growing like crazy!

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

Really, I didn't know this was a requirement to live in Middletown .

That's what I was thinking. Honestly, I think well groomed, unpolished nails look better than some of the funky displays of professional manicures I've seen.

There is no way using a dremel or soaking your fingers in acetone can be good for you.

lol.....ok let me say that I feel more confident when my nails are done. I am always running (late) the 5 kids somewhere and I feel like I always look sloppy. At least if I have a french manicure I look a little bit "put together".

 

[sweet angel]

lol.....ok let me say that I feel more confident when my nails are done. I am always running (late) the 5 kids somewhere and I feel like I always look sloppy. At least if I have a french manicure I look a little bit "put together".

Then by all means, get yourself a french manicure, but why mess with the crap that potentially damages your nails? Doesn't seem worth it!