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Gel manicures have been all the rage since they were first rolled out in nail salons across the country in the early 2000s – but years of the popular manicures have caused dry and brittle nails along with a whole slew of other issues.
Many women have gotten caught up in the seemingly endless gel cycle – constantly getting their nails done with the heavy duty polish, using dangerous UV lamps to ‘cure’ the polish to their nails, and then needing to return to the salon biweekly to have it taken off with a drill or acetone.
While gel polish stays put for weeks instead of days, it can actually be quite damaging.
These pricey constant gel manicures could be destroying your nails and health according to experts, but luckily, there are alternatives.
Enjoy a longer-lasting manicure with Chillhouse Forever Wear. It’s formulated to last for up to 14 days of continuous wear while delivering a gorgeous gel-like finish.
The best part? No need to use a UV lamp! The non-toxic formula nourishes and strengthens to leave your nails in great shape.
A horrifying study published by researchers at the University of California, San Diego in 2023, found that radiation emitted from the UV lamps used leads to cancer-causing mutations in human cells. Researchers found that the chronic use of these drying machines can be extremely damaging.
According to a Vogue story, there have also been reports of people losing their nails, developing rashes, and having difficulty breathing because of allergic reactions to chemicals.
Board-certified dermatologist Alison Leer told DailyMail.com that gel manicures are harmful because of the removal process, since most salons soak the nails for 10 to 20 minutes using acetone, which can dry the fingernails and surrounding skin.
‘The soaking process strips the nail and skin of moisture which can lead to thin, brittle nails and irritate the surrounding skin,’ Dr. Leer warned.
A horrifying study published by researchers at the University of California, San Diego in 2023, found that radiation emitted from UV lamps, which cures the gel polish, leads to cancer-causing mutations in human cells (stock photo)
Many women have gotten caught in the gel manicure cycle – constantly getting their nails done with the heavy duty polish, using UV lamps, and then needing to return to the salon to have it taken off with a drill (stock photo)
It doesn’t help that salons use metal tools with sharp edges to remove the polish, which Dr. Leer said ‘often remove layers of the natural nail along with the polish which weakens the nail plate,’ and ‘can lead to thin nails with uneven surfaces.’
Dr. Leer said to look out for a technician excessively buffing or filing, which can thin the nail.
Make sure the tools are sanitized, because if they’re reused Dr. Leer warned ‘you can catch a fungal or bacterial infection which impacts both the nail and surrounding skin.’
Women should also take a break after two or three gel manicures to avoid weakened nail beds and opt for high-end natural salons, which use non-toxic products and avoid soaking in acetone.
Dr. Leer, based in Dallas, Texas, also explained that UV lamps ‘don’t directly damage the nails, but they can cause premature aging on the hands.’
Molly Romah, head nail artist at the trendy New York City nail salon Chillhouse, warned that ‘forcing removal can cause damage to nails, and it depends on your nails and the brands you use.’
Give dry, discolored, or brittle nails a quick makeover with this popular treatment that’s formulated to deliver visible results fast.
The formula can even be used under a nail polish or gel manicure as a strengthening layer.
Molly recommended Chillhouse’s Forever Wear as an alternative, which is a gel-like polish that lasts for up to 10 days. Molly also suggested using nail strengthener or hardener treatments and cuticle oil while letting nails breathe.
Celebrity manicurist Alex Jachno often sees clients come in with peeling, thinning, or brittle nails and agrees that gel isn’t always the culprit, because the removal process ‘really does the damage, especially if you pick or peel the gel off.’
‘Over filing with the drill can cause nail thinning because the file down way too much of the nail past the gel polish, leaving you with paper thin, almost see through nails, and that can cause bad lifting, and sometimes fungus,’ Alex advised.
Celebrity manicurist Alex Jachno, whose celebrity clients include Sarah Paulson, Ellen Pompeo and Ana de Armas, suggested using the ephd bond repair nail treatment, which helps restore the nail’s integrity and penetrates the nail to make it stronger, smoother and healthier
Molly Romah, head nail artist at Chillhouse, recommended the brand’s new Forever Wear as a safe alternative
Chillhouse Forever Wear is a gel-like polish that lasts for up to 10 days and requires two products with no curing
Alex, whose celebrity clients include Sarah Paulson, Ellen Pompeo and Ana de Armas, suggested using the ephd bond repair nail treatment, which penetrates the nail to make it stronger, smoother and healthier and helps prevent splitting and breakage.
When it comes to red flags to look out for during your next appointment, Alex, who’s based in Los Angeles, warned that your nails shouldn’t feel sore after removal, and you shouldn’t experience any heat and burning during the filing process.
If you’re using the UV lamp, Alex suggested applying SPF to your hands before the appointment and wearing UV protective manicure gloves that leave your fingertips exposed.
By using SPF and gloves, it helps protect the skin from aging and radiation, as the machine can act as a tanning bed for the hands.
