The procedure of covering the nails with gel-lacquer - one of the most popular in the beauty industry. And it is not surprising, because such a manicure looks flawless and lasts a long time. But, for sure, you have heard that opinions about this coating differ. Some claim that it is absolutely safe, while others assure that it can cause damage to the nails. So which opinion is correct? This is what we will understand in this article.
Is gel polish safe: the impact on the nails
Gel-lacquer has become a favorite of millions of women. But is it really safe for nails? To understand this, we need to consider what benefits and harms gel polishcan bring.
Pros
The pros of gel-lacquer are many. First, it creates a dense coating that can protect the nail plate from the aggressive environment - water, household chemicals and even mechanical damage. Gel varnish also strengthens thin and brittle nails. Thanks to it they are less likely to break and delaminate. In addition, thanks to this coating you can visually level the nail plate, hide small defects and create a neat shape.
Of course, the main advantage of gel-lacquer is the long-term result. With proper application, it lasts up to 3-4 weeks. And this is a significant time saving, because it does not have to spend it on weekly trips to the master.
Minuses
Now it is worth talking about the minuses of gel-lacquer, because it also has them:
- In the composition of gel-lacquer there are polymers, resins and other active substances that tightly cover the surface of the nail. Because of this, the plate dries out.
- Before coating the nails are treated with a disinfector, polished, degreased and often use primers with acids. All of this weakens the plate.
After gel polish removal, nails may be thin and dry or delaminate. Usually these are temporary manifestations. But if you do not let them recover, the condition will only worsen.
How the drying lamp affects the nails
The lamp for polymerization of gel varnish is a mandatory step in a coated manicure. However, it is around it that most often there are disputes about safety.
In practice, two types of lamps are used:
- UV lamps (ultraviolet) - operate in a wavelength range of approximately 350 to 400 nm.
- LED lamps (light-emitting diodes) - have a range of 365 to 410 nm.
These waves do not pose a threat to human health, because only those shorter than 295 nm are considered dangerous.
Also sometimes you can hear fears that gel-lacquer lamps accelerate skin aging. But the facts tell a different story. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the dose of UV radiation during a manicure is many times lower than from a 10-minute stay in the sun. In addition, the skin of the hands has better natural protection from UV radiation than, say, the face.
Therefore, it is safe to say that the lamps used for gel varnish polymerization are absolutely safe and harmless.
Can you wear gel polish all the time
If you like manicure with gel-lacquer, you can do it regularly. However, it is worth remembering that such a coating can not be overdone. The optimal periodicity of the procedure is every 2-3 weeks.
But the quality of materials and professionalism of the master play a big role here. Low-quality gel-lacquers and improper preparation of the plate can lead to brittleness and delamination of nails. Therefore, it is important not to save money on coating and trust your hands to proven salons.
If you notice that the gel-lacquer began to hold poorly, and the condition of the nails worsened - this is a signal that you need to pause. After removal, give the plate time to recover. To speed up this process, use cuticle oil, moisturizers and strengthening bases. Once the condition of your nails has improved, you can safely return to your favorite coating.
Who should not do gel-lacquer
There are situations when it is better to refuse to cover your nails with gel-lacquer or at least consult your doctor. Let's consider who exactly should not do such a procedure.
Pregnant women
During pregnancy, a woman's body becomes more sensitive to external influences, including chemicals in the gel varnish or its remover. They can cause allergic reactions, especially if the manicure procedure is carried out regularly. In addition, during this period the hormonal background changes, and this, in turn, can affect the condition of the nails. They become brittle, and gel polish can hold worse.
If you are in a position and really want to make a manicure, it is better to choose safe options. In addition, the beauty industry does not stand still, and today there are quite a lot of them.
People with nail fungus
Gel-lacquer categorically can not be applied to the nails affected by fungus. The coating will only aggravate the situation, because under it creates a sealed environment in which fungal bacteria multiply even faster. In addition, if you cover such nails with varnish, it will complicate the diagnosis of the disease and its treatment. In this case, first you need to undergo a course of therapy and restore the plate, and then return to your favorite beauty procedure.
People with endocrine diseases
Thyroid disease, diabetesor other endocrine disorders can affect the quality of your nails. They become thin, brittle and may change their shape. In such cases, gel-lacquer will not only hold up poorly, but may also put additional strain on the weakened plate.
If you have such problems, before signing up for the procedure, be sure to consult a doctor. It is also worthwhile to warn the master about your disease. This is very important, because in such situations you need to choose the type of manicure that will not damage the skin and violate its integrity.
People with allergies to chemicals
Some clients may have an individual allergic reaction to the components of gel-lacquer or related products (base, top, primer, etc.). It is important to understand that the allergy may not manifest itself immediately, but after several procedures. Among its main symptoms are the following:
- redness of the skin around the nails;
- itching or burning;
- rashes, small blisters;
- swelling of fingers or cuticle;
- cracked or peeling skin;
- peeling or brittle nails.
If you notice any of these symptoms - it is necessary to urgently remove the coating and visit a dermatologist to treat the allergic reaction. After that, you should refuse further use of gel varnishes and pay attention to hypoallergenic options.
Popular myths about gel polish
There are many rumors, conflicting opinions and myths about gel varnish. Let's understand the most common ones to get an objective view of this popular procedure.
Myth 1: After removing gel-lacquer, you need to take a break to let your nails "breathe"
This is not true. Nails are keratinized cells and they do not "breathe". That is why a break after gel-lacquer has no benefit in itself. Exception - situations when the nail plate or the surrounding skin is traumatized, damaged, infected, affected by fungus or has manifestations of an allergic reaction. In such cases, you should refrain from the procedure and consult a dermatologist or podologist.
Myth 2: Gel-lacquer is bad for your nails
In fact, gel polish itself does not harm the nails. Problems arise not because of the coating, but because of violations of the technology of its application or removal. For example, with improper removal, the following problems can occur:
- thinning of the nail plate;
- characteristic white lines on the nails;
- onycholysis (detachment of the nail from the bed).
Also, the use of low-quality gel polish or too aggressive primers and bases can cause burns to the nail plate. They manifest themselves in the form of black streaks or spots.
Myth 3: The use of antibiotics promotes the peeling of gel polish from natural nails.
This statement is not entirely accurate. In fact, prolonged medication more often indicates that there are certain failures in the body. And it is these internal processes associated with the disease that can negatively affect the condition of the nails. Peeling of the coating in such a case is more a consequence of the general state of health, rather than medication.
Myth 4: Applying cuticle oil on a fresh coating can contribute to peeling.
If gel-lacquer is applied correctly, the coating is tightly adhered to the nail plate, then no oil can provoke its delamination. On the contrary, such cosmetic products have many advantages. Their daily application helps to keep the nails in good condition, makes the skin around them elastic, prevents its drying out and the appearance of hangnails.
To summarize, it is safe to say that quality gel-lacquer itself does not harm either the nails or the body as a whole. All potential problems usually arise not because of the coating itself, but because of the violation of the technology of its application, removal or use of low-quality materials. Therefore, remember the main rule - perform the procedure only in professional manicure studios in Kiev, choose proven materials and regularly update the coating. In this case, gel-lacquer will not harm, and only decorate your hands.