This is "JUST MY THEORY" after having done nails for 26 years in a few days, traveled "the world" with nails and held lectures about this topic in 36 countries. I know a few things about the physics of the nail structure and how to prevent the damage of the surface of the natural nail from acrylics and gels - all types.
Here is an interesting task for you to test:
Make a few nails as you usualy do, and make some twice as thick. Try it - weare it for 3 weeks - remove them with acetone and you will discover and gain experience your future customers truly will appreciate.
Having watched this thread for a while I have decided to put in my own comments.
Nails, you make a point of mentioning your experience and 'travelling the world' but you don't see fit to put who you are and exactly what your experience is! Why should any reader of this thread accept what you say without this knowledge or any evidence to support what you are stating? My credentials are known (and briefly in my profile) as are Gigi's.
To add to my 'credentials' I have been wearing Shellac, almost non stop, since the end of March as I helped to launch it to the British beauty press. Gigi had it a lot longer than that.
My comments:
-one of the points you seem to be failing to see is that Shellac is a brand new category of product. This will generate several different results when worn by different clients all with a variety of nail conditions. Unfortunately, not all nail technicians have sufficient understanding of nail structure, the chemistry of the products or the effect of the various products on the natural nail. The queries and problems that are evident in this forum demonstrate this and the sharing of experiences and a variety of answers and solutions are to be expected and show the value of The Nail Geek.
-EVERY product will have some effect on the natural nail, even nail polish and frequent removal.
-It is patently clear that molecules of a certain size WILL penetrate Shellac. This is seen during removal when acetone penetrates it and breaks the bonds attaching to the nail plate and in producing flakes of the material. Therefore. oils of an appropriate size can penetrate.
-The same can be said of many overlay systems. You must be aware of the physical structure of many of them to understand how this can occur? It is the continuous use of oils that make a difference as they will slowly penetrate the voids within the structure. the only exception are the 'buff off' gels for obvious reasons!
-I will always believe the information provided by Doug Schoon as he always supports it with irrefutable evidence. If you have looked at his website you will see electronmicrograph images of a nail plate where it is clear to see the voids and channels where the appropriate oil can penetrate and provide 'lubrication' while protecting it from damaging water invasion.
- I can understand that a thin and flexible coating on a nail plate will exert different forces on the upper layers. However, this is what is being experienced and all will depend on the surface (i.e. nail plate). Understanding will help technicians solve any problem that may arise.
-The starting point for any technician is to follow manufacturers instructions implicitly. Those with sufficient knowledge may be able to adapt those instructions to suit various circumstances but most should follow them as this will be the most suitable for most circumstances.
-It doesn't help the situation when an unknown and anonymous person disagrees with these instructions with statements that have no evidential support.
You are talking about what you have seen in your salon. You are making statements without any evidence of either your credentials to be in a position to make them. I could go on but this post is now far too long already!
