Aftermath of my gel nails & what I did wrong
✨Hey People! ✨I know that a lot of you have been getting into doing your own gel nails at home, and I’m here to give you some precautions after I seriously damaged my nails from gel at home💕💅
🚨FIRST OFF: What went wrong! 🚨
1. The first thing I did incorrectly was I over-filed my natural nails, which exposed the nerves under the nail beds.
2. The second issue was the first step gel primer.
When I was applying this, I let it touch my cuticle and seep into the cuticle, which is so so so bad for many reasons! (This I found can damage the nerves from chemical reaction when you cure the gel, it essentially burns your nail beds in the process)
3. The third problem was over curing !!!
I sat under the nail lamp for far too long, about 30-45 minutes when really you only need a few.
These mistakes caused the nerves in my nails to inflame and caused so much pain like fire under every one of ky fingertips, entire fingers included. I was not able to take the gel off for the first few days because of how sensitive every finger was, so I applied nerve numbing spray to my fingertips and ice and let the inflammation go down for 2-3 days. Then I was able to gently file the surface (barely) and soak each finger in nail polish remover for well over an hour, which allowed for the gel to soften enough for me to scape another layer, and this process repeated 3 times.
‼️WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER‼️
1. DO NOT OVER FILE
Stick to lightly filing so that the polish sticks to your natural nail, but doesn’t file off the entire surface of it. GENTLE FILING ONLY!!
2. Be extremely careful when brushing the first sticky coat onto your nails, not getting ANY on your cuticles. (Do the same thing for every coat of polish as well)
3. Watch how long you are curing for!! Gel only realistically needs 60-90 second per coat if you’re doing thin, even layers. Please don’t make the same mistake I did!!
✨❤️I hope this advice helps anyone that finds it❤️💅#gelxtips #gelnails #athome #gelnailsathome #BeautyTips
When I first started doing gel nails at home, I did not realize how easy it is to harm your natural nails if you don’t take the right precautions. From my experience, the key to healthy gel nails is a balance between proper preparation and gentle handling. One thing I learned is the importance of being extremely gentle when filing your nails. Over-filing doesn’t just thin your nails but can expose the sensitive nerve endings underneath, causing pain and inflammation. It’s crucial to use a fine-grit file and avoid aggressively buffing your nail surface. Applying the gel primer can be tricky—never let it touch your cuticles or skin because the chemicals can irritate and damage the nail bed. I now take my time carefully brushing the product right in the center of my nails without flooding the edges. This small step prevents chemical burns and helps avoid soreness. Curing is another area that many underestimate. I used to leave my hands under the UV lamp far too long, thinking it would help the product last longer. But actually, curing for 60 to 90 seconds per thin coat is sufficient. Over-curing heats up the nerves and can cause the burning sensation I experienced. For removing gel polish, patience is essential. Instead of scraping aggressively, I soak nails gently in acetone-based remover for an extended time and gently file between soaks. This method protects your nail bed and reduces pain. I also found that using a nerve-numbing spray and applying ice packs helped relieve the discomfort and inflammation during recovery. Never rush the healing process after nail damage—it’s better to pause gel manicures if you experience unusual pain. For anyone new to gel nails or doing them at home, I recommend thorough research and practicing gentle techniques. There are many online tutorials and beauty forums with tips for safe gel nail application and aftercare. Remember, beautiful nails don’t come at the expense of your natural nail health!