Powder Gel vs. UV Gel for Nails: What You Need to Know

Question
QUESTION: Hi there!
I have UV gel nails and absolutely love them. Recently, I got a fill where the technician pulled the nails off using a nail tip (ouch!) and reapplied the product. She used a powder gel and topped it with a UV gel protective topcoat. When I questioned her about the powder gel she told me it was the same as the UV gels. Is this true? Now my nails are killing me. I'm guessing from her pulling them off. Thank you for your answer and time. :)

ANSWER: Dear Ada,

If the technician "pulled off the enails", then RUN!!  This sounds like the work of NSS (Non Standard Salon).
UV Gel NEVER contains powder.
If there is powder, then they are simply acrylic with a uv sealant (which is to help the cheap acrylic to keep from yellowing)
NO IT IS NOT THE SAME AS UV GEL.

Please see this page on my site re: NSS & MMA (a toxic cheap acrylic)
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html

I hope that this helps and best regards
Victoria

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you Victoria! Do you think I should remove these nails and have the real UV gel reapplied?
Thanks!!
Ada

Answer
Dear Ada,

In my opinion, it's best to leave sleeping dogs lie. In other words, if they were indeed done at an NSS, your natural nails are likely damaged underneath. To expose such damage would likely be uncomfortable and may likely cause other products to lift and not adhere properly until the damage grows out.

I think it would be best to leave them be, seek out a new technician and have them refilled as needed every 2 to 3 weeks until the old product grows out.

There is absolutely no need to remove them unless there's evidence of an infection (brown or green/black discoloration).  If no such infection exists, just keep filling over them.


Best of luck!
V