Is gel polish harmful to nails, health: composition, pros and cons, contraindications, improper cutting, exposure to UV lamps, reviews. Is it harmful to wear gel nail polish all the time while pregnant? How to reduce

In this article we will look at the possible harm of gel polish for our nails and the entire body as a whole. We will also tell you how to reduce this negative impact.

Gel polish has actively and firmly entered our lives. Moreover, now such a coating can be done not only in the salon, but also at home. But not many people think about the possible complications that quite often appear as a result of the use of gel polish. After all, coating nails with shellac, as it is also called, has not only its advantages, but also special disadvantages. What we will talk about today in this material.

Is there any harm from gel polish: advantages and disadvantages of the product

Gel polish is an excellent solution for modern ladies, regardless of age category. After all, not every day there is time to take care of your nails. And a trip to the master guarantees a wonderful and well-groomed manicure for quite a long period.

Let's start with the privileges of gel polish

Of course, this is great durability. Especially if you also take the varnish of the previous generation for comparison. After all, it was scary to even wash dishes with it, because water could cause peeling. The gel coating can stay on the nails for about three weeks. Yes, the correct application and quality of materials play a role, but that’s another conversation.
Strengthens the nails themselves, although this aspect also includes other nuances, which we will talk about later. But, on average, a durable layer of varnish also protects the nails themselves from creases. This is especially true for girls with weak and thin nails. This gives them the opportunity to show off a long manicure without resorting to extensions.
Moreover, gel polish can easily even “fix” a broken nail. To do this, you just need to cover the broken area with a strip from a tea bag. Glue it onto the base and try to give it a natural shape. And then apply the base to the entire nail and subsequent layers in the proper order.
It is also worth highlighting the first base layer, which also helps to eliminate other unevenness or deformations of the natural nail. It often happens that due to a lack of vitamins, the nail plate turns out in waves - gel polish will hide this nuance. But keep in mind that you still need to take your vitamins!
The appearance is preserved for a long time without chipping or even loss of shine. Your hands will be well-groomed and presentable.
The choice of varnishes is huge, and the coating itself comes out brighter, smoother and neater.
This can be attributed to the absence of a pungent odor, which is typical of conventional varnishes.

Those ladies who have tried a manicure with shellac coating at least once can no longer resist subsequent correction and application of a new design. After all, nothing pleases a real woman more than a fresh manicure.

You can wear gel polish for several weeks without fear for its integrity.

But gel polish also has a downside.

Applying gel polish requires skill. The quality of the manicure and the health of the nails will depend on this.
And suitable materials. Although today products can be bought without problems for home use, the high cost is an order of magnitude higher than ordinary varnish. Although, if you add up all the costs for regular polish and multiply by the number of frequent removals and applications, then the gel polish side wins.
Removal also requires special tools and even skills. And this ties, to some extent, to the master or home equipment. But again let's draw an analogy with a simple varnish. Gel polish will calmly stay with you for 7-14 days, or even more. With the old product this would have been impossible.
Not suitable for those girls who experience rapid nail growth. After all, after three weeks, all that will remain from a fresh manicure is the name.
After every 3 months of wearing shellac, you need at least 1-2 weeks of rest. But this is not a minus, but rather an aspect as regards any pigmented nail product.
Let's return to technology again - any misconduct will cause a damaged manicure, which will need a complete adjustment.
To some extent, this can be attributed to monotony. No, the choice is now even wider than on the shelves of conventional products. Just wearing it for 2-3 weeks sometimes gets boring. And frequent removal and coating costs your time and money, as well as reducing the health of the nail plate itself.
By the way, about time. For such a manicure you need more of it, because the precise technology has a number of necessary stages. But you can do it not every 2-3 days, but after 2-3 weeks.

Judging by these criteria, the pros still outweigh any cons. But all this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The pros of gel polish still outweigh the cons

Manicurist Olya Generalova: “Gel polish is safer than regular polish”

Yulia talked with her master Olya Generalova from the New York Great Hair salon about which manicure is better, whether gel polishes “kill” nails and the difficulties of working with someone else’s hands. I have trusted Olya Generalova with my arms and legs for the second year in a row. For me, who is used to signing up for a manicure wherever I need it right now, such loyalty to one master is phenomenal.

Olya received her basic specialized education at the OleHouse school, then improved her qualifications in educational institutions, Sakramel, Beautix, and took Plastic and Emi courses. And I attended countless master classes, seminars and design courses.

Now she teaches her own techniques of combination manicure and classics.

In addition to the fact that Olya does her job perfectly, she also talks about it very well. And I just have a lot of questions.

Gel polishes: what's the best way to remove them?

— The main problem with gel polishes is how to remove them. Do they really adhere to the top layer of the nail so much that you can only tear them off together - and does this harm the nail?

— Gel polish is a four-stage coating: base, two layers of color, top. The nail plate needs to be prepared for this coating. In most brands, preparation involves filing the nail with a buff; it raises the scales. Then the base coat for gel polish will adhere to the uneven surface of the nail. The problem is that then, when soaked in foil, it can actually come off along with the top layer of the nail plate.

There is an alternative method of removal that is less traumatic - cutting with a device, when the first layer of the base partially remains. But this option is only suitable for further coating with gel polish. Because the base remains on the nail, and if it is not covered with color, this layer will be visible.

Manicure from Olga Generalova

Now there are materials that do not require filing with a buff; they adhere well to the nail without such preparation, for example, these are Beautix coatings.

But there is one point: if the nail is wet, the hands become sweaty, if the nail plate is very soft and flexible, this option will not work. In order for the coating to be durable, it is imperative to remove excess moisture (especially if you have previously done a classic manicure with soaking).

The material can peel off along with the top layer of the nail even if the surface is poorly degreased, often in those whose nails peel off on their own.

— It turns out that from constant filing your nails should gradually become thinner?

— It all depends on the master who will remove the material. And depending on individual characteristics - there are people who have been wearing gel polishes continuously for 5-6-7 years, from the very beginning, when they were removed almost with an ax - and they have no problems.

The question is also how often you update the coverage. If you wear gel polish constantly, without breaks, you may not notice the thinning. Even if it is there, the nail is always sealed with a layer of gel polish.

Gel polishes: burning under the lamp - what is the reason?

- You may not see the thinning, but you can feel it - after all, the sensitivity under the lamp will increase?

— The sensitivity of nails under the lamp is not always associated with thinning. It can increase due to a change in material, due to the technical subtleties of the lamps - there are different powers: some are harnessed, others are not.

— Why does a burning sensation occur in the lamp?

— When the solidification process occurs, i.e. polymerization of the material under LED or UV - no matter which - rays, a large amount of heat is released. This is a chemical reaction that is accompanied by heat transfer. If your nerve endings are located quite high on the surface of the nail, the sensation will be unpleasant.

— Is it possible to somehow prevent this? Should I add more base layer?

— It’s the base layer that mainly stings. The base is a transparent gel polish that is not saturated with pigment, so it sets very quickly. Polymerization of the base layer occurs at approximately the fifth to sixth second. Therefore, a burning sensation can be felt almost immediately as soon as the hand is in the lamp, but if it is pulled out and reinserted, there will be no burning sensation.

Lamp manufacturers have stepped forward and made a special mode that reduces the lamp power by 2-3-4 times. With reduced power, polymerization occurs more slowly, but there is no burning sensation.

- But should it take more time?

- In principle, no. Most craftsmen work using the conveyor method: one finger at a time. While the master applies the base to the second, the first one in any case has enough time to dry.

— Is it necessary to take a break between gel polish coats?

— It makes sense to take a break if you yourself feel that your nails are already thinning. But it should be for the period of complete growth of the nail, no less. A week won’t help here, on average it’s 2 months.

Gel polishes: how the coating technique has changed

- Why don’t masters now paint the whole hand at once, as before? Does the conveyor method affect the durability of gel polish?

“The lamps changed, the coatings changed, and as a result, a different application technique became possible.

New generation lamps dry faster (previously it took 2 minutes for each layer - but now 10-30 seconds for the base and a minute for color and top). This time can be divided into as many parts as you like and at any intervals, the main thing is that the output is exactly that much.

Coatings have become of higher quality; compounds of a different order are used, which quickly polymerize.

As a result, if previously we applied gel polish like regular polish, it was possible to paint all five fingers with it, but now with new coatings it has become possible to correct the curvature and even out the deformation of the nail plate.

— So now the coating turns out to be “self-leveling”?

- Yes. We have partially returned to what we had in gel nail modeling. The nail is leveled, its ideal shape is maintained, and the highest point is maintained.

And it takes time to bring each nail into this form. Therefore, it is easier to work on one nail at a time so that the material does not run away anywhere.

Also, due to the durability of the coating, it became necessary to apply gel polish as close as possible to the cuticle or under it, so that when the nail grows, it all looks neat. Such manipulations also require immediately drying the material.

Work by Olga Generalova

— What tricks allow you to put gel polish directly under the cuticle?

“Or the master himself will get used to doing it with a brush from a jar.” Or take a thin brush of literally 15-16 hairs and draw a line.

The most important thing now in gel polish coating is the tightening of the cuticle and side ridges. Previously, masters did not do anything like this, but now it is necessary to gain access to blind spots. If this is not done, then within the first week of growth a gap will appear. And if you pull it off well and paint it, at first you will feel like your nails are growing already painted. Such different impressions from the appearance of your hands: you painted them like a month ago or from the salon “just yesterday.”

Gel polish: to be or not to be?

— Your opinion: is gel polish harmful or not?

— The gel polish itself is absolutely not harmful, but the way it is removed can be harmful. If you pick it out yourself, or your technician uses an aggressive technique, then yes, it is harmful.

When applied, gel polish does not cause any harm. On the contrary, it protects the nail plate from mechanical damage: you will not cut off your nail with a knife or scratch it, and it will not be affected by chemicals from household detergents.

I am convinced that regular varnish, when changed frequently, is more harmful. Conventional varnishes contain acetates, which dry out the plate and cause delamination. Using acetone to remove nail polish leads to dryness of both the skin and nails. And if there is a tendency to delamination, this will all get worse. If you have gel polish, you either don’t use nail polish remover at all or do it much less often. In general, I think that gel polish has more advantages than disadvantages, with only one “but”: remove it correctly.

On the issue of the dangers of gel polish, it is worth saying that there are a lot of cheap Chinese materials. They have actually half captured the market. The cost of materials, for example, in my case, fluctuates around 500 rubles. per procedure per client. This is a lot. Therefore, my manicure cannot cost 1000 rubles, sorry, the materials alone cost half of this amount. To save on this initial cost, some craftsmen neglect consumables and their quality (disposable files, craft bags for sterilization, towels, gloves, sterilizing liquids, etc.). A jar of Chinese gel polish costs from 150 to 350 rubles, it’s really profitable. But such materials are often not certified in Russia, do not have confirmation of their safety level, and can oxidize the nail and lead to delamination.

Manicure from Olga Generalova

How to restore nails?

— Do I understand correctly that nails damaged by improper removal of gel polish can only be fused? Or are there other options? IBX system, for example?

— IBX is not a panacea. This is a system for restoring an already damaged nail. It's like Olaplex for hair - it won't improve what nature gave you, but it can repair what you've damaged and prevent further damage. If you have splits, IBX will seal them; if the nail is thin, IBX will build up the places where it was damaged. But he is unable to make steel claws out of thin, bendable nails.

— And IBX is a rather expensive procedure.

— Well, in itself it is inexpensive, but the procedure takes time. People with very damaged nails can generally purchase materials and equipment at home (an LED lamp and a special lamp with a fan heater, although you can use a regular hair dryer instead). All this won't be that expensive. You just need to first consult with a kind master who is ready to share secrets. Because there is room for maneuver, and the manufacturer’s recommendations are not always the best option. For example, deadlines can often be shifted, without following the recommendations to cover once a week.

My manicure from Olya Generalova

-What about all those jars of “grow your nails with our medicinal polish, apply a fresh coat every day”?

— The majority of medicinal varnishes that actually work—accelerate nail growth—contain harmful substances, often derivatives of formaldehyde. Our body perceives such substances as poisons and begins to naturally resist them. The nail grows rapidly to replace the tissues damaged by the “poison” with healthy ones. When you stop using these “protective”, “healing” varnish coatings, the nail gradually becomes the same as it was, or even worse. At midnight the carriage turns into a pumpkin.

If we talk about the benefits of such products, then purely from a chemical point of view I don’t understand how you can even add any vitamin to a formula that contains acetate, it destroys almost everything. And nails are the stratum corneum of the skin; nothing can penetrate there. It's probably just a marketing ploy. In my entire history of working with coatings, varnishes, and gel polishes, I have not seen any positive reaction to medicinal coatings.

How to extend the life of a manicure

— How to ensure that the cuticle looks normal even a week after the manicure?

— The nail has its own structure. The skin around it has a pattern, like fingerprints: each has its own longitudinal, zigzag and other lines. To maintain the correct cover and texture of the skin, you need to avoid touching living tissue and move exclusively according to the pattern. Plus, when the master works only with a tool and does not file the cuts with a file or machine, there are areas of movement against the skin pattern, which then turn into burrs.

That is why combination manicure, which combines the work of a device and nippers, is now very popular. But this doesn't suit everyone.

— So there is no universal manicure?

— There is a direct connection between how much a master has invested in his training and how he does a manicure. If you have studied a lot and have a good command of 5-6 techniques - hardware, combined, classical, etc., then, seeing the client and his hands in front of you, you can offer him the best option. Giving everyone a manicure using the same technique, even if it has been perfected, is wrong.

Those who have severely dry cuticles and side rollers need a procedure without soaking - because soaking with removers, peelings, including a regular classic manicure using water, will lead to fringe and tatters. All these manipulations are needed for people with damp skin, with a large number of hangnails, and whose skin constantly tears.

Work by Olga Generalova

— Where do burrs come from and why?

— Most often, hangnails appear because we unintentionally injure our hands. Something cracked somewhere, got caught, was pulled out.

Another reason is improper processing during manicure. If you have had a trimmed manicure and damaged the skin pattern, then in the place where it grows together there will be a joint and then a burr will appear.

Often we mistake for hangnails something that is not one. We have nail growth points. These are the places where the side edges of the nail become free. Usually there the nail widens a little, and when filed to narrow it, something like burrs appears. In principle, this can be avoided if you file them yourself at home or regularly go for a manicure.

But if the nail has the shape of a trapezoid, unfortunately, nothing can be done about it. When the base is narrow and the end grows to expand, then when filing, such “pseudo-burrs” are practically guaranteed. It's just a feature that you have to come to terms with.

— What can you, as a master, say about cuticle oils: do you share the point of view “smear it at home every day and you will be happy”?

— In general, I have a good attitude towards any hydration. The more hydrated the skin, the less imperfections are visible. They won't be annoying, and you won't try to eliminate them yourself. Hydrated skin is less likely to dry out and crack.

How to moisturize is the question. There are a lot of cosmetic oils, but usually we buy oil, put it somewhere in a drawer and forget or are too lazy to apply it.

— I’ve heard the opinion that cuticle oils can even dry out rather than moisturize?

— I can say for sure that water dries. The biggest problem we have in Moscow is water. I travel often, and when I go somewhere, everything is fine. As soon as I return to Moscow, everything collapses and becomes indecent.

— So the question is not even how often we expose our hands to water, but its quality?

- Yes. And I recommend everyone to place a jar of cream next to a jar of soap at home and apply it after each hand washing. Now both restaurants and salons do this. And wherever there is an opportunity to apply cream to your hands, it is better not to neglect it.

There are also a lot of pharmaceutical products that are not really about manicure at all, but work very well. For example, the pharmaceutical cream “F99” saves many people.

Errors in care

— What mistakes do girls make at home when caring for their hands/feet/nails?

— The main thing is that you shouldn’t pick up a tool and cut something yourself. Even I do it! I can take a pair of wire cutters at home in the dark and cut something until it bleeds. I don’t know where this craving comes from, some kind of human instinct or something-)) It’s better to wait until you visit the master.

Or here’s another purely Russian phenomenon: doing your own manicure before going to the salon. “Oh, I was ashamed,” “yes, I wanted the best.” Best the enemy of the good. It’s better to come to me after the dacha with brown nails than with clean, cut hands.

“But many people are quite capable of doing their own manicure.”

“When I started making it myself, it also seemed to me that it turned out well. But that's not true. At home - care. Make masks, apply oil, smear your hands with cream, but don’t use tools. Because a tool from a master who takes responsibility for his work is at least regularly sharpened. This is simply necessary to make an even, beautiful cut. I even asked specifically: no one sharpens household tools.

Or take a course if you want to do your own manicure at home. There are many of them, there are a lot of worthy ones, there is even one called “Manicure for yourself.” Unlearn it - you will know the structure of the nail and understand your mistakes.

“The hardest thing for me is to file my own nails.” Are there any tricks?

— There are rules of geometry and structure of the nail. You need to know where the nail growth point is so as not to make hangnails. Plus, you need to understand that when you file your own nails, your hand is not at the right angle. You need to look from above and turn your hand in different directions.

— Is it wrong to cut your nails with scissors?

- No. If you constantly trim your nails with scissors, this will lead to splitting. Because the scissors press on one side of the nail, and the other edge is lifted. There is also this very bad thing, hello from the 90s, that men like to use to cut their nails - nail clippers, I think they are called. It's not worth using them either.

Nail art lived, nail art is alive, nail art will live

- Everyone comes to you for nudes. What else do they love? Is nail art still popular?

- They do everything. I don’t like the usual classic French jacket and I hint to everyone on my Instagram that it’s better not to come to me for it. But non-standard options, for example, glitter French or chrome, non-traditional shapes are welcome.

I do nail art regularly. You can always choose an interesting design - a minimalist pattern using dots, for example. Often they are asked to do something to match the theme of the event or to play up the print on clothes, for example, bright flowers or velvet texture. And there are universal things like geometry. You don't have to design all your nails, but you can decorate one or two without looking kitsch. But the fashion for the ridiculous feng shui “paint your ring finger a different color and you will find a husband” has already passed.

You can get a manicure and pedicure from Olya Generalova at the New York Great Hair salon. Make an appointment via hairbook.ru or by phone +74956646486 and What's App: +79254072577.

Negative consequences and harm of gel polish from continuous and constant wearing

Even simple nail polish is not recommended for daily use. It is very easy to guess that constantly wearing a chemical covering has its negative consequences. The reason for this is the limited amount of oxygen that reaches the nail plate. Also, due to prolonged use of shellac, the function of the upper protective layer is impaired. If you don't give your nails a break, you may encounter the following troubles:

delamination as a result of frequent cutting of the top layer;
and this will lead to fragility;
depletion of the nail itself;
that will express itself through dullness;
and even yellowing;
cracks may appear;
and even possible curvature of the nail plate.

Important: This may also be the reason for the poor quality of the gel polish itself. For this reason, you need to use only high quality products and periodically give your nails a rest.

Constantly wearing it can negatively affect the health of your nails.

How to choose a safe gel polish

You can determine the safety and quality of gel polish at first glance at the composition, but for this you will have to:

Go to the official website of the manufacturer;
Find information about the composition;
Make sure that the composition contains hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The component is sometimes replaced by the abbreviation HEMA. It allows for good adhesion of the coating to the nail, while ensuring easy removal;
Also look for the Free mark on the label - it indicates that the varnish does not contain some toxic substances.

If one of these words is found in the composition, you have a professional and safe product. Please note that the presence of these substances does not guarantee that the varnish will wear well and will not crack or chip. Finding the ideal product will only be possible through trial and error.

What else is harmful about gel polish: UV lamps and improper cutting

Due to the fact that nails grow quite quickly, it is necessary to adjust the manicure at least 2 times a month. Therefore, we invite you to get to know the “helpers” of gel polish better.

Nail polish removal technique and possible consequences

Don’t be alarmed, this does not mean that the procedure is contraindicated for everyone or will cause any negative nuances. We are talking specifically about poor-quality or even incorrect cutting and removal of the varnish itself.
If you diligently remove gel polish (and it doesn’t matter whether this is done with a Fraser or other tools), you can damage the protective film of the nail. Then the manicure will not only be untidy, but will entail all the above-mentioned negative aspects.
If, when peeling off the varnish, you decide to pull off this piece, then be prepared that with it you will tear off part of the upper scales of your own nail.
When scraping with sharp objects, you can scratch the top layer, thereby causing peeling of entire nail plates.
And a few words about preliminary removal of the top layer of the nail. Sometimes incompetent nail technicians clean the nail too much. This also damages the protective layer and spoils the nails themselves.
Also, special attention concerns the files themselves. We strongly recommend that for natural nails you choose files no more than 240 grit. And then, this is to adjust the form itself. A hard file will cause delamination.
But for polishing you need to take buffs with a hardness of no higher than 900 grit, or even better – 400.

Incorrect removal or excessive cutting will negatively affect the condition of the nail plate.
What about the UV lamp?

Of course, an ultraviolet lamp cannot be called sinless. But it is worth recalling that other technologies also “reward” us with radioactive or ultraviolet radiation. But we use them.
Moreover, contact with such rays does not last long enough to cause the formation of cancer cells in the body. You wouldn't expose yourself to a lamp every day. And once a month will not bring negative consequences. By the way, LED lamps are less dangerous and dry the varnish in 10-30 seconds. Therefore, they further minimize the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
But it is still worth considering some recommendations so as not to put yourself at risk from a UV lamp: it is not recommended to dry it for ladies who have a large number of moles on their hands. It is also contraindicated for all those who have at least some wounds or even mosquito bites;
To use a UV lamp, the master must have the appropriate certificates and certificates with a mandatory note of the characteristics of the equipment;
It is believed that those lamps that come with the lowest indicator are less dangerous. But then the “baking” time of the varnish increases. Therefore, in the end there is no difference.

Important: To protect your hands from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, wear special or even homemade fabric gloves while drying that only expose your fingertips. And don't forget to use sunscreen. You just need to apply it so as not to touch the nail plate.

It is advisable to apply a protective cream before drying in a lamp.

Why does fungus appear after gel polish?

It is not for nothing that it is recommended to wear gel polish for 2-3 weeks. Usually, after this period, the coating may begin to peel off: small voids form between the nail and the coating. Moisture gets into these areas (when washing hands, for example) and light penetrates poorly, especially with a dark, long-term coating. This creates ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply.

The formation of such peeling areas may not be noticed, but the risk of developing nail fungus should not be ignored.

Pregnancy and the harm of gel polish: is it possible to do such a manicure?

The interesting position of a woman becomes the reason for increased sensitivity to most external influences that have at least some impact not only on themselves, but also on the growing baby.

Of course, pregnant women cannot be refused and, if they wish, the use of shellac is allowed. But this must be done taking into account all, even minor rules, as well as with special caution and literacy.
Before the procedure itself, it is necessary to apply a high-quality sunscreen to your hands, with an optimal SPF level of at least 30. It will significantly reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
In no case should there be any toxic components in the composition of the varnishes used. All bottles must have the inscription “5 free”.
It is better to alternate gel-based varnishes with simple enamels. But, ideally, it would be good to just leave your nails to rest.
The process itself must be carried out in the fresh air, or in a well-ventilated room. This will significantly reduce the entry of harmful vapors into the body of a pregnant woman.
In general, in this position you do not need to constantly wear a gel or even a regular coating. Of course, all women at any age and position want to look attractive and well-groomed. But due to hormonal changes, the nail plates already become dull and brittle, and you will also overload them with chemicals.
Yes, sometimes this will help, on the contrary, to make your nails stronger while wearing the polish. But our advice is to use strengthening products to maintain your nails.

During pregnancy, it is better to avoid using gel polish.

Is it possible to do shellac while pregnant?

It is not prohibited to apply gel polish to your nails during pregnancy. To protect yourself and your unborn baby, you need to listen to the advice of experts. If the recommendations are followed, the procedure will not cause any harm, but the following is required:

Before coating, apply nourishing cream to your hands;
make sure there is access to fresh air in the cabin;
the manicure chair should be as comfortable as possible;
Use only high-quality gel polish. A product that is dangerous to use can be identified by an unpleasant aroma and a bottle that does not have a label . The bottle must be numbered. If there is no license plate at the bottom of the bottle, it is better to refuse the procedure;
do not get manicures from specialists who receive clients at home. You may have to deal with improper handling of instruments.

How to reduce the harm of gel polish on our body: expert advice, proven and safe brands

Manicure and pedicure experts share some recommendations that significantly reduce the possible harmful effects of shellac. And not only on the surface of the nails and skin, but also on the entire state of the body.

It is prohibited to use varnish with a gel base for those who have cracks, fungus or any damage to the nail plate. It is also not recommended to apply gel polish to those whose nails are very flaking.
You should take a course of medications or vitamins if your nails have a dull and faded appearance.
It is advisable to enrich the cuticle with nourishing oils, because they contain quite a lot of vitamin components. And this helps nourish the nail itself.
It is necessary to systematically cover your nails with a colorless nourishing varnish, which can be purchased at any pharmacy or specialty store. Take a break from gel polish at least once every six months.
To ensure that wonderful and well-groomed nails are always neat and elegant, you should choose only a professional and certified nail technician. If you are practicing or planning to apply the gel yourself, then study each step.
If you use dark colors, apply a thicker layer of base. This will prevent the plate from staining.
Do not remove polish with acetone. Prolonged contact has a detrimental effect on nails.
Be sure to pay due attention to the varnishes themselves. They must be of high quality and not have the harmful additives that we wrote about above.

Once every six months, take a break and apply colorless varnish.
We also offer you a list of harmless gel polishes

The well-known brand Kodi contains natural oils that have a beneficial effect on our nails. But this company is loved by users for its rubber base, which allows air to pass through and allows them to breathe.
Ibd varnishes also feature natural ingredients and a complete absence of harmful additives. Moreover, the opaque bottle also protects the contents from ultraviolet rays. Just keep in mind that this all concerns the original, and not the Chinese analogue.
Entily brand has already firmly established itself as a durable coating that reliably protects against chips. Moreover, it contains olive and argan oils. And they even additionally nourish the nails. By the way, some varnishes from this company also include natural mica, which more saturates the color and adds a pearlescent touch.
Irisk varnishes are considered a hypoallergenic product. They do not contain harmful additives. But there are various oils for nourishing the nail, which even help with delamination. By the way, these varnishes also stand out for their quick-drying properties.
Gels from InGarden can be safely used even for problematic nails that flake or often break. After all, natural resins, silicones and nutritional components will help take care of your nails.
And it is also worth highlighting the Axxium OPI , which contains natural substances. But most of all I liked it because there was no need to cut off the top layer of the plate. And this is another plus for strengthening nails.

Choose only a trusted company

Recommendations for minimizing the consequences

To prevent the beauty of a manicure from being detrimental to your nails and health in general, you should follow some rules:

do not apply the coating if you have a disease or suspect it, but first go to the doctor;
even with strong nails, take breaks from wearing gel polish to assess their condition;
during this period, use recovery tools;
use only high-quality removers, primers, gels, bases, tops and a suitable lamp;
it is better to combine all the funds from one company so that there is no conflict between them;
apply products in not too thick layers;
dry the coating for the specified time, no more and no less;
do not tolerate burning while drying in the lamp;
be sure to use cuticle oils;
do not peel off the peeling coating, since it also removes the top layer of the nail;
Be sure to eat protein foods, vegetables and fruits, all this ensures healthy nail plates and skin.

Long-term manicure is no more harmful than using regular polishes. To implement it, it is important not only to choose a good flower garden, but also a base and top. If you experience discomfort, you should immediately remove the coating, and if your nails seem unhealthy, go to the doctor.

Is gel nail polish harmful: reviews

Olga, 28 years old : “I’ve been wearing gel coating for a very long time; I haven’t taken it off at all for a couple of years. Maybe 3 or even 4 years. But I never noticed any yellowing or dullness. Perhaps this is the result of the right choice of a master and high-quality varnishes. But still, I recommend the use of shellac to absolutely everyone. After all, it’s quite practical, convenient and no less beautiful.”

Valentina, 34 years old: “I had quite a lot of attempts to apply gel polish to my nails, but unfortunately, they all turned out to be disastrous. After a beautiful manicure, which deteriorated after a few days or at most a week, all that was left were yellowed, brittle, thin and dull nails. And how much time, money and effort I spent on their treatment!”

Bogdana, 29 years old: “I constantly use gel polishes. Well, what would we do without them? It is very beautiful, convenient and, very importantly, quite long lasting. After removing the old foundation and before applying a new one, I try to take at least a few days break. Because after probably a year, I began to notice that my nails had turned yellow and became quite dull. Now the situation has improved.”

Alexandra, 24 years old: “I do it for others and for myself. The clients are happy, and I'm not complaining. I use only high quality varnishes, most often from Kodi. All the girls have beautiful nails, and the gel coating strengthens them well. No delamination, fragility or other negative consequences.”

Reviews about the dangers of gel polish are a little ambiguous, because a lot depends on the artist, the varnishes themselves and your nails

A doctor's opinion on the use of gel-based varnish

Lyubavin Alexey Vladimirovich , 12 years of experience in dermatology: “The main problem lies in filing away the top glossy layer. Inexperienced craftsmen quite often saw through the required amount. As a result, the integrity of the nail plate is destroyed and becomes susceptible to various types of bacteria and infections. Which is fraught with inflammation and infection. And add to everything drying chemicals that deprive the nails of normal breathing, and ultraviolet rays.”

As you can see, there is harm from gel polish and this is an indisputable fact. But the most important thing is to follow all recommendations for applying such a product. And don’t forget to take breaks to saturate your nails with vitamins and strengthening elements. Gel polish will help make your hands well-groomed and neat, but a manicure will only look like this on healthy nails.

Harm from manicure

Of course, the harm is not the finished manicure itself, but the manipulations that are used in the process of creating it. Not only gel polish can cause harm, but also an incorrectly and illiterately done manicure.

If the master does not follow the technique during the manicure procedure, he can damage the nerves located near the nail. Damage to the cuticle and resulting microtraumas are especially dangerous. The varnish applied to the nail penetrates them and enters the body through the blood vessels. Of course it's dangerous.

Among other things, there is a high risk of getting an infection. Nail technicians are not dermatologists, they do not understand fungi. They give manicures to everyone, without paying much attention to the condition of the client’s nails. And then they use the same tools to work with the next and next client. And it’s good if the master is responsible and disinfects the tools after each procedure. If not, then the fungus from the nails of the previous client will quite easily migrate to your nails.

And the lamp under which you dry your nails is also harmful. It provokes the appearance of skin cancer. A US publication called Archives of Dermatology conducted an interesting study in 2009. It concluded that systematic irradiation of the skin, even for 10 minutes, greatly increases the risk of skin cancer. And in 2012, the British Journal of Dermatology published information stating that several women developed cancer precisely because of manicure drying lamps.

Recommendations from experts

If you go to a manicurist, there are several tips that will help you keep your manicure looking beautiful and neat for a longer period of time.

First of all, in order for your manicure to last longer, you must avoid contact with very hot water. This may cause the gel to peel off from the nail plate.
Be sure to wear rubber gloves before coming into contact with chemicals, as they can corrode the manicure coating.
It is advisable not to file your nails, as this can lead to chipping of the gel polish.
It is necessary to properly care for the gel. Special means should be used. For example, oils, hand cream. If you have a small UV lamp, then you can purchase a top product and cover your manicure with it once a week. This way it will last longer.