STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Metric · Gucci

removing acrylics

member · Hermes

I had gel nails for years, and I just removed them in July. Honestly, my nails weren't nearly as bad as I thought they would be. It's been 5 mos and my nails are in pretty good shape. I've been able to grow them, and I just put a nail strengthner base coat on them and keep them painted and they look nice. I'll never go back to artificial nails.

On a side note - $100 a month is a lot!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Once your nail grows out completely they will be fine. Until they they will look a little icky, but nothing that a good manicurist can't fix. I'd cut them short, buff them the best you can, and polish them. You'll be good in no time.

jacL · Coach

You could wait for them to grow out, but if your nails grow slow, like mine, that will take at least two months. I took mine off at the same time that ShopChicago33 did, after wearing them for two years. I think my nails were in a worse shape than hers but after about two months they were okay, better, actually, than they were before. I basically had to wait for the affected area to grow out.

Are you doing this yourself or are you going to have it done by your salon? I did it on my own. I tore off the artificial nails and bought an artificial nail remover kit from ULTA (though I know someone who has since done it with plain acetone) to remove the last remnants, then filed any remaining pieces down. I then applied a good base coat every/every other day.

Metric · Gucci

jacL wrote:

You could wait for them to grow out, but if your nails grow slow, like mine, that will take at least two months. I took mine off at the same time that ShopChicago33 did, after wearing them for two years. I think my nails were in a worse shape than hers but after about two months they were okay, better, actually, than they were before. I basically had to wait for the affected area to grow out.

Are you doing this yourself or are you going to have it done by your salon? I did it on my own. I tore off the artificial nails and bought an artificial nail remover kit from ULTA (though I know someone who has since done it with plain acetone) to remove the last remnants, then filed any remaining pieces down. I then applied a good base coat every/every other day.

I'm getting it done at the salon. They have a special price for removal +manicure.

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

I have had acrylics for about 4 years. I paid to have them done the first two years, but because of the expense of getting them done, I taught myself to do my own. I bought a video on how to do them and got the supplies from Sally's. It took some practice, but I have it down pat now and save alot of money. If you really want to keep them, that might be an avenue for you.