Noah Sinclair
There is a lot of debate surrounding the use of gel nail polish and its potential to damage nails. Some sources claim that gel manicures can cause nail flakiness, yellow nails, weakened nails, and skin damage. On the other hand, some nail experts argue that as long as it is applied properly and instructions are followed, gel nail polish will not damage the nails. Dermatologists are concerned about the UV exposure from curing lamps and the potential for nail damage during the gel removal process. It is recommended that you apply sunscreen to your hands before going under the lamp and follow proper removal procedures, such as only soaking your fingertips in acetone and not picking at the polish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Damage Nails | Some sources claim that gel manicures are responsible for flaky nail beds, yellow nails, weakened nails, and skin damage. |
| Dermatologists worry about the UV exposure from curing lamps and the tendency of manicurists to damage nails during the gel-removal process. | |
| Builder gel can be damaging if not applied correctly. | |
| Builder gel contains chemical ingredients such as irritants, toxic substances, and drying alcohols that can have an adverse effect on nails. | |
| Removal of builder gel requires soaking in acetone or remover, which can make nails dry or brittle. | |
| Not Damage Nails | One source claims that gel polish itself is unlikely to affect natural nails. |
| Some nail experts claim that as long as builder gel is applied properly and instructions are followed, there is no chance it will damage the nails. | |
| Precautions | Wear sunscreen before getting a gel manicure to prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging. |
| Moisturize your hands and nails and apply cuticle oil every day to keep the nail strong underneath the gel and reduce the risk of your nail peeling when the polish is removed. | |
| Only soak your fingertips in acetone instead of your whole hand to protect the surrounding skin. |
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What You'll Learn
Builder gel can be damaging if not applied correctly
Builder gel is a relatively new product on the market that has taken the beauty industry by surprise with its popularity. It is a type of gel nail polish that can lengthen and strengthen nails. While some people worry that builder gel can damage their nails due to its strength, others claim that as long as it is applied correctly and the necessary precautions are taken, there is minimal risk of damage.
The application of builder gel involves more than just painting a client's nails. It requires creating a durable bond between the natural nail and the gel. Before application, it is crucial to clean the nails and remove any oil or residue to ensure proper adhesion. Additionally, it is important to follow the instructions provided by the chosen gel brand, including using the right LED or UV nail lamp for the correct duration.
Builder gel contains chemical ingredients such as irritants, toxic substances, and drying alcohols, which can adversely affect the nails if not used correctly. Therefore, it is essential for nail technicians to stay updated with their knowledge about nail care and products. Improper removal of builder gel, which involves soaking in acetone or remover, can also make nails dry and brittle.
To minimize the risk of damage, it is recommended to follow common-sense precautionary procedures, such as avoiding cutting back cuticles and using suitable products for removal and application. Additionally, allowing time between manicures for nail recovery is crucial. Consulting a professional nail technician for advice on what best suits your nails is always advisable.
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Removal of gel polish can weaken nails
Gel nail polish can weaken nails, especially if it is not removed properly. The removal process can be tough on nails and skin, causing dryness and irritation. To avoid nail damage, it is important to follow the correct removal procedure and take the necessary precautions.
One of the worst things you can do to your nails is to peel off the gel polish. Instead, it is recommended to gently buff your nails to smooth out ridges and remove excess gel polish. Over-buffing should also be avoided as it can cause nails to become thin and weak, making it difficult for gel polish to adhere properly in the future.
There are two main methods for removing gel nail polish: the traditional method and using a gel nail polish remover. The traditional method involves using acetone, cotton balls, aluminium foil, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file. First, the top coat layer is filed down until it is no longer shiny and smooth. Then, cotton balls soaked in acetone are applied directly to the nail bed, and the nails are wrapped in foil to keep the cotton balls in place. After 15-20 minutes, the foil and cotton are removed, and the gel polish is scraped off.
The other method is to use a gel nail polish remover, which is faster and requires fewer tools. A coarse nail file is used to remove the top coat layer, and then a thick layer of gel polish remover is applied to the nails. After 5 minutes, the gel polish can be gently removed with a metal cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick.
It is important to note that improper removal of gel polish can potentially weaken or damage nails. Therefore, it is always advisable to visit a professional to ensure proper care and maintenance. Additionally, allowing time between manicures for nails to recover is crucial.
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Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can also have negative effects on your nails and skin. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing on the hands.
Nail brittleness is a common issue that can occur after gel manicures. This is often due to the nail plates becoming dehydrated during the gel removal process, which involves soaking the nails in acetone. To minimise brittleness, dermatologists recommend rehydrating your nails between polishes by applying a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, several times daily.
Peeling nails are another concern associated with gel manicures. This can happen when the gel polish is forcefully removed, causing layers of the natural nail to peel away along with the polish. To prevent this, it is important to ensure proper removal techniques are followed, such as allowing the gel polish to soak off easily in acetone without vigorous scraping.
Additionally, gel manicures can lead to nail cracking. This is often a result of the nails becoming weakened and more prone to breakage. Repeated exposure to the chemicals and UV light used in gel manicures can also contribute to nail plate thinning and cracking over time. To minimise cracking, it is recommended to limit gel manicures to special occasions and give your nails breaks in between to allow for recovery.
To maintain nail health, dermatologists advise being proactive and communicative with your manicurist. Ask about their tool sterilisation practices and observe whether they are cleaning and disinfecting their tools after each client. Additionally, consider wearing dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off during the UV sealing process to protect your hands from UV radiation.
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The curing lamp used for gel manicures can cause skin damage
The curing lamp used for gel manicures has been a cause for concern among experts, who worry about the potential damage it can cause to the skin. The lamps emit ultraviolet (UV) light, primarily in the form of UVA rays, which are responsible for signs of ageing like hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. While the link between gel manicures and skin cancer has not been definitively established, studies indicate that UV exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
UV light can damage DNA, leading to mutations that play a key role in the development of various types of skin cancer. A 2023 study in Nature Communications found that radiation from UV nail polish dryers can damage DNA and cause mutations in human cells. This adds to the growing concern about the potential health risks associated with gel manicures.
To put it simply, as Dr. Guanche explains, "UV rays from the sun, tanning beds, and these nail curing devices all use UV to penetrate into the DNA and mutate it; these mutations lead to skin cancer in the future." The risk is further emphasised by Dr. Valenty, who notes that while the study exposed cells to UV light for longer than a typical salon session, the findings still raise concerns about the potential for harm.
It is worth noting that the FDA officially ruled UV nail lamps as "low risk" for skin cancer in 2017. However, this does not eliminate the possibility of harm, as evidenced by a 2020 case analysis involving two women who regularly had gel manicures and developed melanoma on the backs of their hands.
To minimise the potential risks associated with UV exposure during gel manicures, some experts recommend applying SPF 30 or higher before treatment. Another suggestion is to wear fingerless gloves with a protective factor to limit UVA exposure to the hands and fingers. Ultimately, it is important for individuals to weigh the benefits of gel manicures against the potential risks and take appropriate precautions to protect their skin and overall health.
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The application process for builder gel
The next step is to apply a base coat or primer if your chosen builder gel brand requires one. Some brands, like Glossify, can be applied directly to the nail without a primer for a quicker process. If you do need a primer, cure your nails under an LED or UV lamp for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the product's instructions.
Now, it's time to apply the builder gel. Use a brush to paint the gel onto your nails, staying away from the cuticle area. Builder gel tends to 'self-level', so allow it to settle for a few seconds to ensure an even application. Cure your nails again under the lamp, following the specific instructions for your chosen brand.
If needed, apply a second coat of builder gel and cure once more. Clean the nail with a lint-free wipe and isopropyl alcohol to remove any stickiness. File your nails to achieve the desired shape and even out any thick areas.
Finally, you can finish with a colour or top coat. Wipe your nails clean and apply your chosen top coat or gel nail polish, curing it for another 1-2 minutes.
Builder gel can be a great way to achieve strong and healthy-looking nails, but it's important to follow the instructions and take the necessary precautions to minimise any potential risks of nail damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gel nail polish can be bad for your nails. It can cause nail brittleness, peeling, cracking, flaky nail beds, yellow nails, and weakened nails. However, improper removal of gel nail polish is more damaging than the gel itself. To minimize damage, dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen to your hands before going under the lamp, leaving your cuticles alone, and moisturizing extensively afterward.
To safely remove gel nail polish, you should first rough up the surface of the gel with an emery board. Then, soak cotton balls in acetone and apply them directly to the nail bed, ensuring the cotton doesn't touch the surrounding skin as it is drying and irritating. Finally, wrap the nails with aluminum foil to keep the cotton balls in place and keep the acetone from evaporating.
Before getting a gel manicure, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands to prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging. This will help protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiation used to seal gel nail polish to the nail. You can also put on dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off before your nail polish is applied.
