So I've developed a really, really bad habit. One that I'm afraid that I can't fix. This habit, my friends, is the gel manicure.
As you probably know, gel manicures are the new (well, not really new) way to have a beautiful set of well-manicured nails for weeks. I had my first encounter with one while preparing for my bro's wedding. My new sister-in-law swears by them, and low and behold, my only worry that night was bustin' a smooth move on the dancefloor - not chipped or broken nails.
At first, I said that I'd only get them for special occasions. But, having a super busy job, and my love of having great lookin' nails, I succumbed a second time. Then a third. Seven months later, I'm still addicted.
Over the course of the last few months, I've been able to be honest with myself. And like any bad habit, I know the dangers, yet, I still find myself visiting my local nail salon for my gel mani fix. In case you're thinking of trying them out - or you're not sure - here are some pros and cons I've learned along the way:
PROS
- Longevity/no chips. As stated above, your manicure WILL last for almost two weeks (longer if you don't do too much "hand"-y work). I've seriously washed dishes, cleaned, went to the gym, changed a tire (not really, but you get what I'm saying) and I never, ever chipped my nails during any of it.
- Super-duper quick dry time. I've avoided getting manicures in the past because of the dreaded 20 minutes it takes for them to dry AND the stress involved afterwards because of my paranoia about smudging. With gel manicures, your nails dry under a UV light in a few seconds between coats. (You can grab your keys from your purse immediately afterwards...I swear!)
- Increased nail strength. Ok, this one is a little iffy (see "CONS" below), but once you have your gel manicure in place, your nails can resist breakage.
CONS
- The sanitary factor. My mama, the germophobe that she is, reminded me oh so calmly that having nail polish burned onto your nails for weeks can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Plus, because the polish you choose most likely is a solid color (and not clear) it's tough to check for fungal growth. (Ew.)
- UV light is dangerous-o. We wear sunscreen on the beach because of exposure to UV rays. Well, most gel manicures require that your hands be placed under a UV lamp - your skin directly hit by radiation. No bueno. Although it's only for a minute or two total, if you're going twice a month, the exposure time is increased. Also, overexposure to UV light can cause premature aging of your hands. (Yikes.)
- Decreased nail strength. Gel polish is taken off through a soaking process, where cotton balls are dipped in acetone remover (not good for the surrounding skin) and covered in foil (to generate heat and speed up the process). Then, the foil "tips" are taken off, leaving only bits and pieces of polish behind. Typically, your manicurist will then use a scraping tool to literally scrape off the rest of the polish. Now, the acetone combined with the scraping can cause your nails to be WAY weaker for weeks after your gel mani has been removed. I've also noticed that the skin around my nails has become much drier. (In other words, nails need lots of recovery time...)
Above are only a few pros and cons of gel manis. In case you've already decided that you're going ahead with one, here are a few...
TIPS
- Protect. Before you sit down for your gel manicure, slather on some sunscreen that has the same SPF as you would use on the beach. I usually go for a waterproof brand just in case my manicurist decides to moisten my hands/cuticles. I'm also thinking of purchasing these anti-UV fingerless gloves from Amazon.
- Wash your hands thoroughly. Pay special attention to the inside of your nails. I use a cotton swab or a toothpick wrapped in cotton at night right after I wash my face to get out any grime I missed during the day.
- Moisturize. Since I have dry skin to begin with, this is key. I use a thick hand lotion (Aveeno, Curel and/or Eucerin are pretty great - and affordable!) after I washing my hands - every time.
- Take a break in between visits. Once you have the gel polish removed, instead of going for a second, opt for a regular manicure with a strengthening polish (I bring my own). I know this sounds like a bit much, but wait a few weeks (or months if you can) before your next gel mani. Realistically speaking, it will take some time for your nails to get back to normal.
I hope this helped! And remember, always educate yourself when trying anything new!
simplistically yours,
xoxo andrea
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