Gel better than acrylic!?!

[Beautification]

Another of my clients has just cancelled her booking as i don't offer gel nails as of yet.

She said gel were better than acrylic for your nails and they don't split as easily down the side wall!

I've never experience any acrylic nails chipping at the side wall? Didn't really think it was possible unless you apply it very very thin!

what do you all think?

Ahh. she's just told me she usually goes to the Chinese places that use those awful harsh products were trying to ban in the UK and says there the one's that always split!

 

[mely-bely]

Your client is wrong - As per Doug Schoon's book - all nail products are made with acrylates - acrylic. None of these products are harmful to the natural nail if applied and maintained by a trained professional. The biggest difference between the two is that gels are softer - giving more flexability, l&p are harder, often making them more durable.

Doug Schoon states that it could be argued that gels can be more damaging to the nail plate as they are harder to remove.

As for splitting down the sidewall, I think she may have meant lifting at the edge of the free edge? That could be both an application issue and a client issue. I used to lift there all the time because I picked the ****ens out of them! And sometimes I created them too thin.

To answer all of these client questions, it is a really good idea to have Doug Schoon's book, Nail Structure and Product Chemistry Second Edition. Once you have read it you will be able to educate these clients so they have the science-based facts about these products and all of the myths and bunk that go along with it!

Hope this helps

Have a great day!

 

[Beautification]

I thought that maybe previous therapists were applying it too thin, she emailed me a picture and they are actually chipped out not lifting as thats what i thought aswell.

All makes sense now though if she's gone to one of these Chinese 15minute nails things!!

 

[cro-mari]

I understand your worries,
but I wouldn't be going into "those Chinese" generalizations, iykwim... there are all 'kinds' of us here so... someone might find this offensive - connecting bad tech with one nationality.

Other thing, in my country, 99 % of people are 'white' (sorry if I used the wrong term, couldn't think of another apropriate), almost all of one religion and not so much other nationalities, we have no MMA at all, but still you can find nails and tech so much worse than at places you described.

I hope you wont get this wrong.

 

[Beautification]

Hi Cro-Mari

Sorry,iposted this when i was first starting out so wasn't sure what was used or what these salons were called..i just called them 'chinese places' as there all run by chinese people in my area.

So i hope no1 was offended by that i do apologise and thank you for pointing that out to me.

What iment was NSS that use MMA

xx

 

[Annie23]

Hi Cro-Mari

Sorry,iposted this when i was first starting out so wasn't sure what was used or what these salons were called..i just called them 'chinese places' as there all run by chinese people in my area.

So i hope no1 was offended by that i do apologise and thank you for pointing that out to me.

What iment was NSS that use MMA

xx

If you admit your error why not take the opportunity to edit your original post to the correct terminology so as to not continue to offend people. To post in error and the post be forgotten can be forgiven but if the post is ressurected and to admit a mistake and not correct it this is a bit of an oversight.

 

[uniq12u]

In answer to the original post, I don't feel (just my opinion) that any one system is better than the other. It depends on what the tech is familiar with and likes working with. Now, having said that, gel is more flexible, so that system may work better for some who need that. If a client's hands are going to be in water a lot, then a resin wrap or acrylic dip system would not be a good system for them. Asking the proper questions and finding out what their needs are and what they do helps determine what is best for them. It does help some to be a little diversified.

 

[Gigit]

All nail enhancements bond ot the natural nail, no one is better than the other, however, I will state something for the record. I prefer a soak off gel because it tends to damage the nail plate less when damaged/broken for me personally. I have paper thin flakey nails naturally, and the harder the product the more often I do serious damage to myself when breaking a nail. I find the soak-off gels peel when broken and do very little if any damage to my nails. The same cannot be said for the harder wearing product. The cons to this is that the softer gels cannot withstand the abuse of the harder products, especially certain gels which go rubbery in time.

I would suggest getting to know both types of products (including buff and soak off gels) so that you can offer your clients a wide variety to suit individual needs. Not every system works for everyone and it's good to be flexible.

 

[Alpenrose]

Here we come to importance of proper consultation - you as a professional, should advise the client which system would be better for her considering her specific needs.
When my potential clients say that they want to have gel, because it's healthier, less damaging to the natural nail and thinner, I first stress that damage is down to technique, not the product. It is possible to damage natural nails when applying gel if done wrong way, it can also chip, lift and be thick if applied incorrectly.
It would be wise to get on gel course, so that you were able to cater for various clientelle.