Gel over MMA?

[roseblanc]

Ok, so this is how this starts.. I had a client yesterday who had her nails done (first time in her entire life, she's never even put nail polish on her nails!). She just LOVED them, said they we're beautiful and looked nothing like her friends nails (who I also have booked for an appointment next week to come and see me). So we started talking about her friends nails. My client was telling me all these horrific experiences her friend has had, then she mentioned the place she goes to. Now, the place she goes to is the same place I USED to go to before I ever got into nails and I KNOW how these guys work. First off, they are a NSS, they do the "fake" gels (using MMA acrylic no less) and now my concern is, I have this lady coming in next week and she's expecting a gel fill. I don't know if I should file off the MMA fake gels and do a full set of real gels on her (which will cost her more) or if I should do an acrylic fill on her (since she already has acrylic, but she just doesn't know it yet).

I've never had to put a gel overlay on top of MMA acrylic nails, would it even stay put or would it lift off? Could I just do that? Ugh! I don't know what I'm going to do with this lady. I know my client from yesterday is going to most likely call her and tell her something along the lines of "you got ripped off" lol... and I have full intentions of telling her that she doesn't have REAL gels on her hands. But overall, what would be the best case scenario here... what should I do for this client?

Any advice would be soooooooo appreciated!

 

[bellabeautie]

Hi, Ive had a few people come in to me that have had the same MMA nails (dental acrylic). They have asked me to do infills because the place where they get them done is over half hour away by car. I told them I couldnt do them because the place where she gets them done uses completely different products to me, and if I did do them, she may get a chemical reaction from the different products used and her nails may go yellow from using different products and therefore would be a waste of money. I personally wouldnt do the fills on them. Why dont you just explain to her, tell her she hasnt actually got gels on and offer to take them off and start afresh. Then at least you know its your work, rather than trying to correct somebodys elses work, especially if they are not good etc.. Hth a bit xx

 

[Bagpuss]

I rebalance with gel over MMA and its fine...the only prob i have found is that the clients are used to rock hard nails (MMA) so getting used to my gel nails once the MMA has grown off takes a while...but they do get used to them.

If the nails all look fine then why soak it off...? its far kinder to the nails to just rebalance them with your product

 

[roseblanc]

If the nails all look fine then why soak it off...? its far kinder to the nails to just rebalance them with your product

Thats what I was thinking too, but I wasn't sure if the gel would just lift right off or not. I wouldn't want to damage her nails any more than they already are (I've had several clients come to me that used to go to said place, and their real nails look like stair cases!!!) And I can imagine this client will be no different, and I'd rather not have to take off the MMA but just let it grow out. So, if I can rebalance over the MMA with gel, then I'm happy lol. Thanks a lot girls for your help! I appreciate it a LOT!

 

[sian1979]

i would also in fill them.....if they are in fact MMA then they may take ages to soak off, plus you wont know how trashed her nails are underneath. Why turn away business when there is no need to??? Plus it will be to your advantage as it will be you who ends up with the returning client.
Gel is just a form of acrylic and will bond to liquid and powder just like a liquid and powder fill will do....yes she may see a difference in colour ....but that in my opinion will just show how good a prduct you are using in comparison to what she has on at the moment.....it will grow out quick enough....plus you could always use an emamel to disguise the difference.
Good luck....sounds like you are doing really well......

 

[VHunter]

My preferance when running into MMA is to rebalance over it.
Why expose damaged nails that will cause client discomfort and very likely lead to lifting and breakage issues until the damage grows out, WHICH may mean the client may not return for they'll doubt you?
I also point out to the client that aside from avoiding discomfort from the removal, I'm saving them $$ for the cost of removal. They appreciate that I'm not a "money grubber" and that I'm straight up with them.

I prefer to rebalance over them, take this time to educate the client and urge the client to show the difference between their old enhancements and their 'new' ones to their friends.... They can point out how in the area of the new product there are NO red lines of fire... they are CLEAR as glass with no yellowing (Unless of course you use an opaque colour to camouflage the previous damage LOL).....
This 'advertising' might bring a few more that way.

HTH'S

 

[roseblanc]

This 'advertising' might bring a few more that way.

It's definitely a good way to advertise. I had a client call me today at noon and ask me to refill her "gel" nails immediately - since I had the OK (from bagpuss, lol) I did rebalance them with real gel (and explained things to her) and she had told me that she was getting her friend to come in and get hers done too, instead of going back to the other place lol.