I set my gems into the last color coat as well!
For the white spots, I find them typically to be from one of these things:
- soaking the Shellac off in a bowl
- buffing or filing on the nail surface
- Shellac being peeled or picked off
- client not using Solar Oil
Doug Schoon also made a fab post to that which makes sense as well:
"In my opinion, the problems that people are reporting with Shellac are not from exposure to acetone. If the removal directions are followed properly, these issues can be avoided. It takes 10 min. to soften the coating enough for proper removal... not 5 min. or 7 min.... 10 FULL min. Don't try to estimate or guess at 10 min., this should be timed with a timer. Why? Ask someone to close their eyes for 2 min. and raise their hands when 2 min. has passed. I've done this recently and most people raise their hand within the first minute. You can't guess at 10 min., this must be timed!
What can happen if less than 10 min. is used? White spots! Why? Two reasons: first, the coating hasn't been softened enough for easy removal, so nail technicians scrape the product from the natural nail.
In the last episode of Doug Schoon's Brain, I showed 3D images of what happens when this is done. The uppermost surface of the nail develops microscopic gouges that give a whitish appearance. When examined under high magnification it becomes clear that such spots are caused by scraping, even when a wooden pusher is used, so imagine what a metal scraper can do when wielded by impatient hands.
Secondly, under high magnification it's easy to see that not all the product is being removed from the nail plate. Small islands of product are left behind in thin layers. These also look like white spots on the surface.
"It's easy to blame the product". This is why I did the last Doug Schoon's Brain episode, so that people would understand that it is important to take the time to properly and carefully remove any type of products, including Shellac.
I know "time is money", but my research has shown that "impatience causes nail damage". That's something that everyone should carefully consider before attempting to remove any product from the natural nail, including nail polish, UV gels and liquid/powder.
Improper removal has always been a problem, at least for as long as I've been in the industry. Don't let that problem happened to you and/or your clients."
Hope this helps
