We get asked all the time – “Are gel manicures safe?” Of course the answer is yes – we would never put our guests’ safety at risk. However, there are measures you can take to ensure your nails stay in peak condition.
1. Be sure that your spa uses a gel polish that can be safely cured under an LED light. Using and LED light versus a UV light will minimize your UV ray exposure and eliminate any increased risk for UV damage and skin cancer. Also, be aware that using products which are designed for UV curing under an LED light can cause serious reactions on the nails.
2. Know the formulation being used on your nails. Nail lacquers and hybrid products have the ability to penetrate the nail and cause dehydration. The longer the product is left on the nail plate, the further the dehydration will progress. A 100% pure gel formula sits on the surface of the nail like a double-sided tape, minimizing dehydration of the nail with prolonged wear.
3. Use cuticle oil daily. This is important for many reasons. It will keep cuticles hydrated, eliminating cracks and splits in the cuticle which could put you at an increased risk for infection. It will also keep the natural nail nourished, and can even make the removal process easier, meaning a shorter soaking time is necessary, and little to no force will need to be applied for removal.
4. Please seek professional removal when you are ready for a colour change. We use the manufacturers gel remover, and peeling the gel polish off yourself can also peel layers of nail with it, causing damage to the nail plate and thinning of nails. It is also recommended that, as with regular nail lacquer, you take a break from product on the nails at least once per year.
