Dust allergy, should I try Soak Offs?

[CrystalH]

I've been doing gels for almost 5 years, but just started working full time about a year ago. I've developed an allergy or sensitivity to the dust now and will be forced to quit doing gels if I don't find a solution soon.

I was wondering about soak offs. Is this something I could do instead of file offs? Can you soak them off with every fill or is it meant to be only as a removal thing? Would there be much damage to the nails or fingers if I were to always have a coat of file off clear gel under a soak off gel and remove the soak off each time I fill?

I've even just been thinking about getting colour gels for manicures and pedicures and not doing full get sets anymore. My concern was that I would still need to do filing if the client is a monthly regular and always wants a different colour or the nails get too thick from applying colour on colour. Would soak offs solve this problem?

Sorry for all the questions, I just have never heard of soak offs before and am really excited that I may have a sollution

 

[claireamy]

Do you use an extraction system? What about a mask?

I think its a bit much to ask your clients to soak off every time, this could get really costly and they'll quickly find someone else to do them a fill. I would try methods to keep the dust off your skin and inhaling it first to see if that makes a difference.

 

[CrystalH]

What all is involved in soaking? How long does it take? Is the remover expensive?

I wear a mask and non-perscription glasses. I also have a table-top extraction unit. It's a hand rest, with a fan in it to suck the dust into a bag. It has helped me some, but still not enough.

My clients are very loyal and are not wanting to be inconvenienced by going somewhere else. The majority of them have already expressed concern with having to find someone else. We are actually getting someone to replace me at the spa I work at, but my clients are a little skeptical because she is our reflexologist who is going to take a one day gel course (Brisa I think).

 

[Cathie!]

Are you sure it's an allergy, what are your symptoms?

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Are you sure it's an allergy, what are your symptoms?

I agree with Cathie and this was the first thing I thought when I read the initial post? How certain are you that it is a dust allergy? What are the signs and symptoms? It would seem a shame to change systems if you think you have a dust allergy, but actually don't.

Whatever the problem, it may be easily remedied.

 

[CrystalH]

I started working full time as an aesthetician end of last November, mainly doing gels. In December, I started noticing that I was really stuffed up all the time and was getting some sinus headaches on occasion. I was sniffling quite a bit too. February, I noticed that I was constantly wiping my nose 'cause my sinuses were draining. No matter how hard or how much I blew my nose, it just kept running. My sinus headaches were also getting worse and I could no longer breath out of my nose, especially at night.

I found that even when I was shaping nails during manicures and pedicures without a mask, I would get a headache. Also, sometimes at home cleaning. Sweeping up dirt or shaking out my mats.

I finally realized it wasn't just a cold and was related to work, 'cause it wasn't as bad on weekends when I had Sat, Sun, Mon. off. I went to Emerg and was perscribed an allergy nasal spray, which has helped.

I got a table top extractor beginning of March and it really helped. I only got a headache after a full day of fills, but I still can't breath out of my nose at night and I sniffle in the morning and after a shower.

So, what do you gals think? Any advice you could give me would really help. Can I continue doing gels, if I change things up? Should I only do gel polishes, like for manicures and pedicures? Should I switch brands, maybe to a soak off and only do it occasionally? (I'm currently using StarNail T3 clear and white and Brisa white gel paint)

 

[heavenlyhands]

I use bio sculpture soak off gel, it is very good, and with the free edge gel you can do sculptures, I would recommend it.

 

[karentriff]

I started working full time as an aesthetician end of last November, mainly doing gels. In December, I started noticing that I was really stuffed up all the time and was getting some sinus headaches on occasion. I was sniffling quite a bit too. February, I noticed that I was constantly wiping my nose 'cause my sinuses were draining. No matter how hard or how much I blew my nose, it just kept running. My sinus headaches were also getting worse and I could no longer breath out of my nose, especially at night.

I found that even when I was shaping nails during manicures and pedicures without a mask, I would get a headache. Also, sometimes at home cleaning. Sweeping up dirt or shaking out my mats.

I finally realized it wasn't just a cold and was related to work, 'cause it wasn't as bad on weekends when I had Sat, Sun, Mon. off. I went to Emerg and was perscribed an allergy nasal spray, which has helped.

I got a table top extractor beginning of March and it really helped. I only got a headache after a full day of fills, but I still can't breath out of my nose at night and I sniffle in the morning and after a shower.

So, what do you gals think? Any advice you could give me would really help. Can I continue doing gels, if I change things up? Should I only do gel polishes, like for manicures and pedicures? Should I switch brands, maybe to a soak off and only do it occasionally? (I'm currently using StarNail T3 clear and white and Brisa white gel paint)

This is not a prevention, more like a way to treat and relieve the symptoms but have you tried ear candling. It is quick and works a treat. It cleans out the ears and sinus passages.
Might be worth a try. It just might enable you to carry on doing what you love.
Cheers

 

[RedAdmiral]

Are you in a well ventellated room? You have a table top extractor do you have one for the room also? do you have a window? Are you using an e-file?
Sorry for all the questions just trying to get a clearer understanding.
I'm sure you have good housekeeping and you are eliminating as much dust as possible and if you are really sure that you can no longer continue I would definetly suggest Bio Sculpture or a soak off, you will see differences in the new system and may have to change your menu as a soak n buff off are quite different. Star Nails do a soak off so start with them as that's who you trained with. Adding permanent polish is always a good idea especially for a spa.
Hope your sinuses improve, gel dust is a killer, so fine! - def try the ear candling

 

[An*Gel]

I have the very same problem.. I can't breath through my nose anymore and have a constant cough. I know it's from the dust. We breath in human tissue when we file a natural nail so using a soak off gel might reduce the amount of dust from gels but won't really help. Don't dispair though.. I use Bio sculpture and do a soak off every 4 weeks for clients and they are more than happy to pay for it.. I have a 6 week waiting list.
Just make sure to always wear a dust mask.. it's a pain but makes a huge difference and make sure the room is well ventilated and you should notice a huge difference.

I took my mask off a few times this week and back to coughing again:cry:
I'm on the lookout for some sort of filter or extractor so if anyone can help I'd be really grateful

 

[CrystalH]

karentriff- I used to do some ear candling, but I'm now being advised not to by the health department. I still have some candles though, I'll have to get my hubby to try it on me.

RedAdmiral- The room I'm in is not well ventilated. We have no opening windows and there is not extractor in the room either. The problem is I rent space from someone. I can buy portable extractors to help, but I can't have anything installed.
I do use an elctric file and I think that's a big part of my problem. I haven't hand filed in so long though, that I don't think I could.

karen_conroy- Do you only do soak offs every 4 weeks? You don't need to do any other filing or buffing (other than shaping)? The nails last that long? Do you use a base of a buff on gel on the natural nail, or onlu soak off?

 

[An*Gel]

All of my clients get at least 4 weeks without having to come back at all... some need their nails re shaped after about 2 weeks but yes I soak the whole lot off (15 mins) and re apply an overlay.. it takes about an hour and 15 mins max every 4 weeks... some clients are 6 to 8 weeks. It means no buffing and filing, no refills(I HATE REFILLS) I just wsasn't able for the dust with my allergy. The nails look so fab honestly and so so natural with no thickness at all.

I never have a problem with lifting, only thing is Bio Sculpture is pricey but worth it!!
I have nail techs that come to me and beauty therapists and not one person has ever minded that I don't fill the nails because of the look they get and how long they last.

I find as Bio Sculpture is a soft very flexible gel it doesn't buff down like other gels anyway.

 

[RedAdmiral]

Hey Crystal its a shame there are no windows or internal extraction systems and i'm sure the owner doesnt want to put either in. Have you ever seen those round extractors in Nailpro magazine that suck the dust out? - they say they have a good area range and look like a footstool maybe this could help as well as the extractor on the desk. It would be terrible if you couldnt do buff off gel ever again!
I've used a soak offs alongside my buff off for years and mostly the clients have overlays on natural nails or a short extention - nobility by le chat is good and strong for a soak off and yes you can get away with soaking off every month as it only takes about 10-15 mins and clients are happy to pay for this. Try Bio Sculpture for a full range of colours and I hope your clients are excited by the product changes.