Do overlays/wraps/shellac damage your nails?

[selina150]

Hi there, looking for some advice.

i work in healthcare, and the amount of alcohol gel we use every day seriously destroys your skin and nails. my nails are weak anyway, but now they almost always peel in layers and are very brittle. i've tried creams and nail strengtheners, but they dont do a lot.
i've been thinking of getting overlays or the new shellac stuff done to form a barrier between my nail and all the stuff we use, but want to know if this will actually damage my nails further? (i had extensions once years ago, and once removed my nails were pretty destroyed)

also will the products stand up to the alcohol gel?

many thanks

 

[MissJulesBeauty]

Hi

I use Gelac in my salon which is essentially the same as Shellac. Gelac does not cause any damage to the natural nail. The prep which is applied prior to application hydrated the nail and keeps it conditioned whilst the polish is on. Gelac is not affected by the use of Alco gels, I know this personally as it is used frequently in my salon and my nails are always gelacked.

Acrylic, Silk and Gel overlays will give protection to your nails but will dry them out over a period of time.

I would definately advise a gel polish like Gelac, Shellac or Gelish.

Hope this helps

 

[geeg]

I disagree with the poster above.

Hospital grade hand disinfectants are very very harsh on every type of nail coating as well as your natural nails. Extremely drying to the skin which includes the skin around the nails and also to the products on the nails as well. Hospital disinfectants are totally different to that which we use in the salon.

The second thing I completely disagree with is that Gelac is anything at all like Shellac. GELac is a GEL and Shellac is not a gel. Shellac is a polish that is UV cured and the UV cure is the only thing the two products have in common.

Why is this important? Because your nails are damaged already from being excessively dehydrated; they do not need the further damage of buffing the surface before applying a GEL. Buffing is a part of all gel applications and your nails will end up just as you remember them from the last time you wore extensions.

Shellac requires NO BUFFING of the nail surface before application so no further damage is done to your nails. Shellac will protect your nails while wearing it, but you must commit to using Solar Oil both morning and night to keep the Shellac hydrated and also the skin surrounding your nails. Solar Oil is the moisturising oil that is used in aftercare with Shellac. If you do not use it and fail to put back the moisture you are taking out every day at work, your Shellac will not last either.

I have 27 years experience working in the nail industry ... I have seen more nurses whose manicures have been destroyed by hospital grade hand disinfectants, enhancements of all types from L&P to gels, wraps and polish. It is a well known thing in our business that hospital disinfectants have a terrible affect on nail products of all types. Solar Oil is the key. It will help your nails if used daily, with or without using Shellac. hth Solar Oil is available from fine salons using CND products and services.