QuestionA couple years ago, I got my first uv gel manicure done at a salon in Enfield, CT and I loved it. The gel was beautiful and put on thick, which made it basically indestructible whether I was at the gym or in a pool and still looked just as good when I went to get it filled every 6 weeks. I've gotten it done a few times since moving out of CT, but have been very disappointed with it not lasting more than a day or two. I recently had UV gel manicure hoping that this time it would last and I asked the manicurist to make it thicker to hopefully handle what I do for a living, and not even 48-hours after getting it done, the gel was peeling away from my nail, splitting, and cracking (I was very cautious with my hands in those hours). Upon returning to work, my nails look worse with the gel than if I had nothing on them because it's chipping off my nail entirely (I basically live in a pool for 15+ hours a week). I have since been using super glue to seal the ends and fill the spots where the gel is missing because I'm so frustrated that I'm spending all this money to get something done that's supposed to last for weeks. I don't think the manicurist did it right to begin with, but every place I've been can't all be doing it incorrectly could they? I know that being in pool is tough on skin/nails/hair anyway, but is there anything I can do to save my nails? My wedding is in a few months and I'm trying to make my nails look decent and not all cracked and split from the pool water. Thanks for any information that you could give.
AnswerKelli, Thank you for visiting AllExperts. I'm not sure I can give you a satisfactory answer, as I can't see your nails and I don't know what product your manicurists have been using. What I would suggest is contacting the original manicurist to find out what product she was using. There are so many products it would be impossible to guide you properly. Often when artificial nails do not adhere, there is an excess of oil present on the nail beds. Given you spend a good amount of time in the pool, I'm not sure that is the case, as pool water is often drying.
A word of caution; "using super glue to seal the ends and fill the spots" you run a high risk of creating fungus using the glue in that fashion. When you glue water in and under the nail it sets the tone for fungus growth.
My other suggestion would be to try Natural manicures in order to repair the condition of your nails presently. Look on the Internet to find a good Natural Nail Care Specialist. Short, healthy nails are more attractive than damaged nails with product residue. A french manicure looks "GREAT" on shorter nails, especially on a bride.
Look in your area specifically for a nail tech who uses a process called "Juliette" paper wraps. This is the process I use and it is the best nail care treatment, in my opinion.
Hope this helps. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Kindly,
Pamela Golightly
