A chic and trendy manicure instantly upgrades our outfits and we love experimenting with different nail designs. But when was the last time you painted your toenails? With summer just around the corner, it's about time we treated ourselves to a new pedicure. Whether Shellac, gel or acrylic – gel nails have become increasingly popular among fashionistas in recent years. But what about a gel pedicure? How harmful are gel nails really and should you try it or not? So many questions, right? But don't worry - we're here for you and will explain why a gel pedicure might not be such a good idea.
With conventional nail polishes, it can take quite a long time for the base coat, color layer and top coat to dry. And no matter how much effort we try, the result does not last longer than 4 to 5 days. And this is exactly why Shellac and other gel polishes are becoming increasingly popular.This involves nail polishapplied to the nails and then cured under a UV or LED lamp. Gel nails are completely scratch-resistant and last up to 4 weeks. Sounds great, right? But what sounds pretty practical and looks great at first glance also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of. Whether you choose a pedicure with gel is of course entirely up to you. If you are still unsure, then read on and find out what makes gel nails so harmful.
Gel can damage the natural nail
Like herDo your own French pedicureWe have already shown you some of the most beautiful pedicure trends for 2023. A gel pedicure usually lasts much longer than a classic pedicure. However, gel is not only very harmful to natural nails, but also to the surrounding cuticles. In order to create a better base and so that the nail polish penetrates better, the nails are first roughened with a special electric file. In some cases, however, this can lead to minor injuries and in some cases even promote a fungal infection.
Since the gel layer is usually much thicker, oxygen can no longer reach the nails, which again worsens the stratum corneum. Over time, with a gel pedicure, our natural nails become brittle, thin and very soft and need at least 1 year to fully regenerate. If you still can't do without a gel pedicure, give your natural nails and skin a little break every now and then.
Increased risk of skin cancer
Regardless of whether it's a gel pedicure or manicure, gel nails are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. According to a scientific study from Georgia, UV light can promote skin cancer and just 10 minutes of treatment is equivalent to a full day's energy levels under the sun. To combat this, wear UV protection first or use an LED lamp as an alternative. In addition, UV light can cause our skin to age prematurely and promote the formation of wrinkles. And after all, we don’t want that, do we?
How to properly remove gel nail polish?
You already know why a gel pedicure is harmful and not a good idea. But the biggest mistake everyone makes with gel nails is not removing the polish properly. Improper removal, for example if you simply peel off the polish, can be very damaging to your natural nails. This in turn causes the nails to become thinner and break more quickly.
To avoid this, we will tell you how to remove gel nail polish. First you need to gently sand the top layer with a file. Then soak cotton pads with acetone or special gel remover and place them on the nails. Then wrap it tightly with a piece of aluminum foil and let the whole thing soak in for about 15-20 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and push off the gel nail polish with a cuticle pusher. Be careful not to scratch the natural nail bed and be very careful. If the gel nail is difficult to remove, wrap your toenails for another 15 minutes and repeat the process.
