I had my nails done with gel about six weeks ago. My nails were quite short as very brittle. She put about 8 coats on of various products, undercoats, basecoats and top coats. My nails looked quite good even though short. They have since grown very long, being very strong. But the gap between where the gel ends and new nails was unsightly, about half an inch.
So I found the same colour and gave them a couple of coats of nail polish.
They looked reasonable for a while but the lump of gel under the polish started to look unsightly.
So I decided to remove the lot. I put nail polish remover in an egg cup and dangled my nails in one by one. It just removed the ordinary nail polish.
I did the same with white spirits and then acetone. None of these removed the gel.
I went on line to find out what to do. What a performance!
I have to insert each finger nail into a cotton wool ball, soak it with acetone, wrap each finger in tinfoil, leave it 30 minutes then it should come off.
I've not yet done this.
I have managed to pick some of the gel off but it has left my nails looking awful with some of the surface damaged.
I know some will think this is a very trivial post, but has anyone any better ideas what I can do. I've already cut my nails down a considerable bit.
I sympathise but the only answer really is to contact the lady who did your nails for her to take the gel off properly. She could have perhaps filled in the gap with more gel as that’s what I have had done in the past. Don’t go down the way of picking the gel off - it will leave your nails looking and feeling awful.
I had decided never again. It was done with a voucher for Mother's Day.i know I have made a mess of the few I have picked off. They look a real mess. I might have a go with ordinary nail polish to cover up.
Had a similar experience Caran. Gel nails looked good until they started to grow and the "gap" got bigger. Had problems getting gel removed and ended up with damaged, thin nails. Took ages to get them back to normal. Would suggest you keep them short and massage almond oil in to the cuticles regularly. Certainly helped mine.
This is what puts me off getting gel nails - I think you are supposed to go back and get them re-filled or removed professionally, I'm surprised whoever did them for you didn't tell you this at the time.
Hi, Caran......Cutex does an ultra-powerful polish remover which claims to remove gel.
Worth a try I think. I agree with Anne.....I loved the look of my gel nails but the removal process damaged my nails and they took an age to recover. Never again for me....x
Same with me too. I had mine done with gel nails for a wedding, boy do I regret it. My nails are still in a bad state. They look good at the time but I do not recommend them.