The gel polish merry go round

I’ve had BIAB nails done regularly since DD’s wedding last year and my technician works from a salon at her home. She soaks off the old polish with a wrap around each nail, then just uses a little manual scraper (for want of a better word), she has never used a dremel. There are a lot of sub-optimal salons and technicians, I think you were very unlucky. I love mine, and my natural nails are still as good as they ever were if I decided not to have the gel replaced.

Sorry I haven’t answered your question.

I get gel nails done regularly with no problems. I often soak them off myself using the same method as the salon. I buy the ready made foil squares and gel remover from Boots. They don’t use drills at my salon. My advice would be to visit or phone local nail shops or beauty salons and ask about the method they use.

I have mine done every 3-4 weeks. Have done for more than 20 years. Never a problem. During Covid obviously didn’t have them done nor last year when Himself was very poorly and I just stayed home with him.
I have very strong, healthy nails.

Perhaps it depends on one’s own starting point? That and No Electric Drilling! 😱

I have only ever had my nails done in my life once! that was enough.
It was for my daughters wedding (12 yrs ago)
it was a very painful experience, it was inside a Mall in shopping centre, they had been there a long time it wasn't just a few days pop up one.

They pummelled my nails, stretched my fingers think it was French nails I had on at the time. My finger nails were throbbing all day and had to take paracetamol.

Cossy

ViceVersa

A good, reputable nail technician won't use the drill-type tool, especially if you ask them not to. The cheaper ones do though, as it's a lot quicker.

I don’t think it’s necessarily that the nail technicians are not reputable, but more that most customers don’t want to spend hours in the salon.

I have gel nail polish (my own nails underneath) and more often than not have carefully drilled.

During lockdown they couldn’t be done so I used acetate to soak them off and used cuticle oil every day until I could have them done again.

Ditto toenails. I keep my nails reasonably short and am very happy to continue to keep them painted with gel polish.

I think it’s about 12 years I’ve been having them both.

On the occasions I've had my nails done - by my local regular beautician - she's just used a normal nail file and I certainly haven't spent anything like hours in the salon. I wouldn't let anyone near my nails with a drill tool.

Done!

ViceVersa

A good, reputable nail technician won't use the drill-type tool, especially if you ask them not to. The cheaper ones do though, as it's a lot quicker.

I don’t think it’s necessarily that the nail technicians are not reputable, but more that most customers don’t want to spend hours in the salon.

I have gel nail polish (my own nails underneath) and more often than not have carefully drilled.

During lockdown they couldn’t be done so I used acetate to soak them off and used cuticle oil every day until I could have them done again.

Ditto toenails. I keep my nails reasonably short and am very happy to continue to keep them painted with gel polish.

I think it’s about 12 years I’ve been having them both.

A good, reputable nail technician won't use the drill-type tool, especially if you ask them not to. The cheaper ones do though, as it's a lot quicker.

Unfortunately most nail bars use a drill to remove the old polish as it’s quicker than soaking in acetone . I rarely get my nails done as it takes about 3 months for the nails to get strong again . I do get my toes done regularly though .

GrannyGravy13

Lots of cuticle oil, several times a day and nail strengthening products should help.

This has made a huge difference to my nails.

I think that's very bad practice Mazgg and sounds as if they don't know what they're doing.

Gel nails and nail extensions should be gently soaked off in pure acetone so there's no risk of damage to the nail bed.

I only have my toenails done twice over the sandal season, the lady just buffs the old varnish off gently with a fine board, then oils the nail. Over winter the nails are bare.

Eat a good diet, keep nails short until they recover, look at it as at least 6 months, massage oil into the cuticles. Nothing looks as good as your own healthy nails. I can’t stand the look of those false ones, the long ones look like claws, up there with trout pouts and bottoms you can rest a cup of tea on.

Lots of cuticle oil, several times a day and nail strengthening products should help.

I have had gel polish for 17 years, never had the polish drilled off, always soaked off.

My nails were fine when I had it removed and not replaced in the two Covid lockdowns.

I imagine it is your choice of salon that is the problem here, not the varnish.