Gel Manicure Detox

Every 2 weeks for 4 years seems like a lot. I try to limit it to 5 or 6 times a year, mostly special occasions (my own wedding), vacations, and big holidays.

No chip manicures cause my nails to become thin. I've always had very strong healthy looking nails but after a few no chip manicures my nails became thin and weak. To remedy I take breaks from no chips manicures and from color nail polish periodically. I also use a cuticle oil a few times a week and my nails are back looking healthy and being strong.

Have you tried the dipping powder? It's thicker than gel but my manicurist swears it's great for your nails.

I did gel for a really long time and my nails became brittle and peeled a lot. I switched to the dipping powder for about a year which was better, but after three months with no polish on them, my nails are still peeling. I guess the moral is to let your nails breathe every so often - I'm sure the chemicals are awful for them, no matter what type of polish you use

Yes ma'am. Try hair skin and nail vitamins.

I don't bite my nails but I pick at them constantly. I have very thin and brittle nails. I've had acrylics forever and just started gel vs reg polish. It's just keeping the cycle going but I'm not stopping. I have eczema badly and the thickness helps curb my breaking the skin when I scratch.

Do what works for you, but I'd find a way to break the biting habit.

I think it depends on your nails. I've been getting gel polish for the past 6 years every 3 weeks and my nails are fine.

I found that when I do the removal process myself my nails are completely healthy. Normally when I go to the salon they soak for five minutes with the cotton and foil method then start scraping away. So instead, I sit in front of my tv for a solid 15 and the gel slides right off.

I switched over to the SNS Dip System and I don't know why they say it's healthier. It's literally powder and glue. They put a minimal amount of vitamins in the glue. I stick to it because it lasts up to four weeks even (unintentional pun).

You could take a break and try this system from OPI.

http://www.ulta.com/gel-break-trio-pack?productId=xlsImpprod15321141

I had this issue too and switched to Essie extended wear. It's their non gel extended nail polish. Done at home last about a week to 10 days, when professional applied it's about two weeks. It comes off just like regular nail polish (no soak needed). I usually get it for weddings I'm in, because it lasts, but also doesn't require a follow up nail appt when I'm home from the wedding.

I just got that Essie extended wear on Monday and no chips yet! I like to get the gel but also keep it off every so often. It's important to let your nails breathe.

Did gel for a few months leading up to my wedding. I generally don't do anything and grow fine. My nails are just now recovering. They were short all summer. Also had an issue where one kept splitting down the middle. Never noticed any weakening while I had gel polish on. It was only once I was polish free.

I did gel nails every two weeks for a couple of years, wrecked my nails. Went cold turkey.. simple manicures and used fortified nail treatments along with biotin supplement. Took approximately 6 months for my nails to get back to a healthy state.