QuestionHi, I have had my nails since October, 07 and the first two times things were
fine. Then I went to get a fill yesterday and my cuticles burned and itched. They
are puffy and swollen. Not sure if Gel's are better. This salon does not use the
MMA or whatever they say is bad. Not sure if something else could be causing
this? I really love the nails but I can't take the itching.
AnswerThe problem you are experiencing actually has nothing to do with WHAT product your tech is using, but rather HOW he/she is using it.
What you are experiencing is an overexposure reaction in textbook form. Overexposure is from your skin being repeatedly touched by uncured product. This can come from a wet brush, monomer seeping onto your skin, wet acrylic touching your skin, primer, etc. It's not something a tech is taught in beauty school, so just having a license to do nails doesn't mean they won't do this to you.
This is NOT generally a permanent issue, but it CAN be, if it has become an actual ALLERGY.
The best thing to do is to remove the nails you have on now, wait a couple weeks, and then make an appointment with a VERY highly trained tech that uses better technique when applying enhancements. They will be trained to use the most up to date techniques with high quality product, and also not damage your nailplate or your skin. They are trained to not touch your skin with product, and should be trained in all systems, whether it be liquid and powder (AKA ACRYLIC), UV Gel, or a wrap system.
I would start out finding a tech that uses Brisa Gels, they are hypoallergenic, and very light and flexible.
If you need a referral, please e-mail me privately at this address: heatherdavisnails@hotmail.com
Good luck!
