Gel Nails After Acrylics: Can They Repair Damaged Nails?

Question
I'm thinking of getting Gel nails because my nails were so damaged after wearing acrylics for a few months. I've been told Gel nails will not damage my nails. So I was wondering will my damaged nails be able to grow out while the gel nails are on? Is it true that gel nails will not damage your nails? I've had acrylics several times and have had damaged nails, and nail beds each time as well. Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Rebekah,

Please let me first explain: the product will not damage the nails. "Quality" Acrylic, UV Gels, Wraps, etc are all good products with their own strengths and weaknesses.  In fact, both "acrylic" and uv gels are BOTH acrylics in different formats.
What's damaging your nails is the TECHNICIAN.  In the last few years, many discount shops also known as NSS (non standard salons) have cropped up with poorly trained technicians who are taking shorcuts and not doing things properly. THIS is damaging your nails. Also, e-files aka drills being applied to the natural nail WHICH NEVER SHOULD be done is damaging nails.  In addition, many of these NSS are using a poor quality acrylic that is ILLEGAL AND TOXIC because it's 1/3 the price of Quality acrylic so they're able to charge less and make more profit.
Please see this page on my site for further explanation.
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html

I personally prefer UV Gels as they are less prone to lifting, so less filing is required and this lessens the risk of damage to a nail.  HOWEVER there ARE very qualified technicians that exist that will use a Quality acrylic that will apply it properly and you'll have no damage. BUT they cost more than NSS salons.

The choice you need to make is: if you are getting enhancements done, are you willing to pay the price to maintain them with a quality technician and service?

A quality set will normally cost 40$ and more.  Better LEGAL product costs more than bad quality. Also, technicians that do their job RIGHT without taking shortcuts (that damage your nails) take longer than NSS salons.

Also:  a common scam of NSS is to claim that uv gel is better, and yet they apply acrylic with only a sealnt on top.  this is NOT uv gel. With true real uv gel, there is NO powder of any kind EVER.

I hope that this helps.
Best regards
Victoria