I think there is a difference in manicures and pedicures on this point. Because toenails are thicker and more resistant, they do not absorb moisture the way fingernails do and shrinkage is not as big an issue. They are also not subject to the abuse that fingernails are subject to. Feet often need considerably more cleaning and exfoliation than hands. In my experience, you can do a lot of soaking, cleansing, exfoliating of feet before applying gel polish without impacting wear. I would not do that on hands.