What determines how long shellac lasts on nails?

Having well-groomed nails for as long as possible is the natural desire of any girl. Today, experiencing the negative impact on the health of an unfavorable environment, consuming many synthetic additives and taste improvers in food, and encountering a large number of household chemicals in everyday life, a person exposes himself and his nails to quite aggressive effects. As a result, nails become dull, dry, and prone to cracking and brittleness. It’s rare that someone manages to let their natural manicure grow longer than 3-4 mm. But the desire to be elegant, beautiful and desirable has not gone away. And the hands play a significant role in this sense.

That is why manicurists are working more and more intensively to invent new cosmetic care products and more and more often their efforts are ending in success.

The No. 1 success of today is Shellac coating.

The main differences between Shellac coating

Shellac gel polish has replaced extended nails, differing quite sharply from them in:

• Length of nails;
• Nail shape;
• Design;
• Application mechanism;
• Tactics for overgrown nails.

The advantage of the difference lies in accuracy, sense of proportion, practicality, aesthetics and, of course, less negative impact on the health of the nails.

Long nails now remain in trend only for special festive occasions, when their size is dictated by the general direction of the costume or its unusual color scheme.

In all other cases, Shellac can be a worthy competitor, giving the nails the shape that is relevant today, providing the opportunity to select a color scheme, up to the transition of shades (the so-called ombre). The coating is durable and original, and optionally provides complex combinations of colors and patterns, application patterns and the use of additional accessories.

Short nails coated with Shellac do not lose their relevance; they are more convenient, practical and fashionable.

What is the main difference with long-term use? The fact is that Shellac cannot be corrected. Regrown nail extensions using additional extensions even out their length and become, as before, flawless. Shellac requires removal and reapplication. You cannot paint overgrown nail plates from the root. Exactly the same as restoring the damaged coating from the free edge. It is also impossible to restore a nail if it breaks or breaks off, as is done with extensions. In any case, the entire nail must be removed.

How can this affect your health?

The main parameter that girls follow when wearing gel polish is the visual condition of the manicure. When the pigment grows, it gradually moves away from the cuticle area, freeing up a clean surface, which looks quite sloppy. Then the work is usually corrected.

However, there is also a risk of damage to the natural nail; prolonged wearing of the coating without rest can lead to side effects:

1. Formation of numerous detachments.
2. Thinning of the nail surface.
3. The occurrence of a longitudinal or transverse crack.
4. Nail breaking.
5. Formation of yellowness on the surface.
6. The appearance of dark or light spots.
7. The occurrence of hyponychia (internal growth of skin on the free edge, which complicates further processing).

Also, first consider the quality of consumables used in the salon, since low quality pigments can lead to an allergic reaction, which will also affect the health of the matrix (root system).

Sometimes, while wearing a manicure, if the nails are handled carelessly, the decorative layer moves away from the bed and an air cavity appears between them, which may not be noticed by the girl. If moisture gets into this area, there is a high risk of developing a fungal infection, which can only be noticed when removing the varnish.

Keep in mind that the fungus is quite dangerous for the health of natural nails, since it can lead to their complete destruction when a doctor prescribes mechanical removal of the process.

In addition, if you wear the work for a long time, there is a risk of cracked nails, which will have to be repaired during correction, and this increases the price of the cosmetic procedure by 150-200 rubles and increases its duration.

How many days can you be confident in the beauty of your nails with Shellac?

Professionals recommend wearing Shellac for two weeks. According to some, the structure of the gel polish subsequently changes and therefore the effects of the components on the nail tissue become negative.

Of course, it all depends on the “use” of the nails. The service life is extended if:

• Use household gloves in everyday life;
• Do not bite or break off your nails;
• Do not use the keyboard;
• Eat right and drink quality water;
• Lead a healthy lifestyle;
• Do not uncontrollably use antibiotics and other medications that can lead to complications of allergic diseases;
• Do not have chronic diseases that affect the quality of hair and nails.

Nevertheless, the service life of the gel polish coating has its limits. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to maintain the freshness of the coloring, impeccable shape and neatness for more than three weeks.

Peeling of the top layer begins gradually from the free edge, with small defects and cracks. Overgrown nail plates, having reached their “critical” length, begin to exfoliate. In some places, most involved in manual work, they break off. You can cut down the edge with a defect, but the color coating will not be restored.

On the other hand, the rate at which the nail itself grows depends on many reasons:

• Seasons;
• Individual characteristics of the body;
• Current health status;
• Moods;
• The age of the person.

Some people try to remember in which phase of the moon a manicure done lasts the longest. For others, the time of day is important. For others, the components used.

A few words about the creator

This technology was created by the American company Creative Nail Design or CND for short, which produces cosmetic products for the beauty of nails. It all started in a garage in a small town in California. A group of seven people, united by the desire to make a splash in the beauty industry, were developing and producing innovative manicure products. First, a new acrylic coating appeared, which was immediately adopted by leading nail modeling artists, then the Solar Nail series products went on sale. Following this, the already successful company released a number of innovative products for nail modeling and care, such as Retention+ acid-free acrylic coatings, Moxie material, which can be used in any weather, the revolutionary Brisa gel and much more. But, as they say, there is no limit to perfection. In 2010, Creative Nail Design invented a new product - a hybrid of nail polish and gel. The new technology is called Shellac.

During its production, the developers of this innovation were guided, first of all, by the desires of the women themselves, who want the following:

• so that the product is easy to apply;

• so that the coating is super-resistant;

• so that the product can be easily removed from the nails.

Now you probably won’t find a single fashionista who doesn’t know what shellac gel is. This procedure is in great demand in beauty salons. But we will find out exactly why by reading the following chapters.

How can you extend the service life of Shellac?

Of course, using high-quality and original components. Disinfection of nails is important. Thus, microbes trapped under the gel layer have all the necessary conditions for their life activity: they multiply, poison the nails and subungual space with the products of their life. Due to the lack of oxygen access for a long period of time, the blood supply to the nail tissue and its microcirculation are disrupted.

Thus, there is not the slightest chance for microbes to remain on the nail plate under the coating.

The second important condition for the long service life of Shellac is the use of only high-quality sharp tools for manicure. Nothing should damage the integrity of the top layer of the nail. This is the same gateway of infection as the nose during the season of viral infections. Don't forget about the cuticle. It is better to circumcise it using a hardware method, which eliminates damage to the skin fold and the development of the inflammatory process.

The third nuance: careful removal of the previous coating. Unremoved areas can prevent the new coating from firmly bonding and cause premature peeling. They can also help retain air bubbles under the new coating. You also need to carefully degrease the nail plate. Fat molecules are quite large in size and do not dissolve in specific solvents.

Advantages of the procedure

• Strengthens nails. This has become a salvation for those women whose hair is very brittle. The varnish strengthens the nail plate, making it possible to grow long nails.

• Durability of the coating. We already know how long shellac lasts on nails. As a rule, this period is 3 weeks. The coating is not destroyed by household chemicals and other factors. Hands look neat all the time.

• Glossy shine. The coating looks very nice. After all, as you know, Shellac is a hybrid of varnish and gel.

• Large palette of shades. Today, the development company offers its customers a large selection of varnish colors from classic pink and red to trendy turquoise and purple.

• Safety. The original product packaging says "3 Free". This means that it does not contain harmful traditional varnish substances such as dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene.

• Easy to remove coating. You can do this yourself at home. To do this, you just need to purchase a special liquid for removing such a coating and foil lining.

What is the significance of LED lamp?

Since the coating is gel, to fix it, you need to hold your nails under an ultraviolet lamp. It is better not to try to use adapted devices. The light beam must be uniform and reach a certain intensity. It is important to maintain the exposure time and the rules for placing your hand in the device.

Those who don’t have extra time to visit nail salons can learn how to use such a device at home. Moreover, numerous sites on the Internet offer to purchase it at fairly reasonable prices.

But it is impossible to do without a lamp. The gel simply will not acquire the necessary structure. The lamp must be equipped with a timer, since individual gel polishes require different exposure times. In addition, lamps are needed to polymerize the base, on which the final result largely depends in the future.

Positive feedback from women

Many of our fashionistas liked this innovation in beauty salons.

Some people purchase shellac gel on their own and carry out the procedure at home. The most important thing here, in their opinion, is a competent approach to choosing drugs and focusing on positive reviews from friends who had such a manicure in a beauty salon. In this case, the durability of the coating, its aesthetic appearance, and harmlessness can be guaranteed.

We talked in detail about Shellac technology, which is popular in the nail industry today, and also found out how long shellac lasts on nails.

What to do if defects in the Shellac coating are noticeable?

If coating defects appear, you need to decide to remove it. If less than two weeks have passed, something has gone wrong. If more than two weeks have passed, then the service life has expired. In any case, the coating must be removed correctly and harmlessly.

There are specially designed solvents, the use of which will save time and guarantee positive emotions. But it will still take some time.

Some people try to remove the coating themselves, using technical acetone or other solvents containing it. This is harmful to nails, can cause allergic reactions and stop the respiratory center.

Shellac is almost the only gel polish coating that does not contain a lot of aggressive and harmful components to the health of nails. Therefore, its removal is not a complex chemical process. Moreover, there is no need for filing, as when correcting extended nails.

Application rules

This coating should be applied in several steps, curing each step with a UV lamp. If unfinished areas remain, there is a danger of shellac delamination:

• Dry your nails first. If water or cream is on your hands, even in small quantities, there is a risk of a short-lived coating;
• In order to remove the cuticle, you should use a cream or gel with mild acids;
• Dry your nails only using a UV lamp for no longer than 2 minutes for each layer;
• Monitor the density of all layers. There is no need to apply very thick layers of Shellac, it will curl up during drying;
• Don't forget about the base before the main coat;
• The cuticle must be in order before the gel polish is applied. Otherwise, the coating will not last long;
• It is necessary to ensure proper storage of the product. Cold, heat or direct sunlight are not very good conditions for this;
• Do not mix with acetone or gel polish. This can damage your nails and ruin your manicure.

When can you re-coat with Shellac?

Having answered the question for yourself: “How long does shellac last on nails?”, you can sign up for a nail salon in advance. The fact is that re-application can be done immediately after removing the previous one.

Of course, ideally, many recommend giving your nails a rest, conducting a session of strengthening and hydrating procedures, pampering your nails and cuticles with nutritional compounds, vitamin complexes and mineral baths. As a result, the normal appearance of the nails will quickly be restored, the nails will acquire a natural shine and a natural pink tint. Such procedures can be carried out in the salon, or at home. They will take a little less than a week.

After this, you can safely proceed to the subsequent application of Shellac.

But if there is no such reserve of time, and you want to combine removal and subsequent application in one session, such a possibility exists. In this case, after removing the remaining coating, a special composition will be applied to the nails and light massage movements will be performed for complete absorption. Massage movements are also beneficial for the skin of the hands and cuticles. Rubbing in essential oils that have a positive effect on the condition of the hands and improves vitality is useful and effective.

It is worth noting

General opinions vary as to what affects the strength of shellac. Some people think that it is better to wear special rubber gloves when cleaning the house - they protect your hands from water and aggressive detergents. But some people think that this has little to do with the strength of shellac and that this coating holds up well even without such protection.

However, gloves protect not only the polish, but the skin of the hands and the nails themselves. Contact of chemicals on bare skin causes dryness and itching at best, and irritation and allergies at worst. In addition, such exposure causes the skin of the hands to age faster, and, as you know, hands can tell a lot about a woman’s age. As for shellac itself, it has a porous structure, so that particles of detergents and cleaning agents can get inside through it, negatively affecting both the nail plate and the coating itself. Thus, the gel polish is destroyed from the inside and loses its strength.

In any case, using protective gloves while working around the house can extend not only the life of the coating, but also the youth of your own hands.

Advice from manicurists

When working with shellac yourself, manicurists suggest using the following recommendations:

• When choosing an ultraviolet lamp suitable for drying nails, you should assume that a product sample with a power of about 18-36 Watts is suitable for these purposes.
• To remove the membrane (cuticle), expensive products or softening oils are usually used.
• To save money, if the cuticle is weak, you can use an orange stick, with which you can simply push it to the side.
• If there is even the slightest trace of fungus on the nails, the procedure should be temporarily abandoned (otherwise the consequences may not be very pleasant).

If you take the advice described above as a guide, and also carefully understand what a shellac nail manicure is, what it is, any fashionista can do this procedure on her own.

What procedural errors reduce the wear life of shellac?

Unfortunately, applying a manicure using shellac can go wrong if the technology of the procedure is violated, and mistakes made can ruin everything.

To avoid such errors, you need to:

1. Before applying gel polish, be sure to do a regular manicure so that the nail surface is smooth, without peeling ends. To achieve this effect, a soft buff is usually used. There should be no accumulation of dirt under the nails.
2. Do not forget about degreasing the nail surface and side ridges.
3. Do not touch the nail after it has already been degreased. Even a small particle can cause significant harm in the future - it will ruin the integrity of the manicure.
4. Be sure to apply a special primer , which is needed for reliable adhesion of the material to the surface. Apply both to the tip of the nail and to the entire plate.
5. It is good to dry your nails, since poorly dried shellac will not stick to your nails as long as it is supposed to.
6. Seal the layer securely , otherwise it will cause too rapid detachment or chipping.
7. Do not mix components from several, even famous brands. They can behave too unpredictably, so it’s better not to take risks.

Why does a French manicure last longer?

Master class from professionals: How to make shellac at home for beginners (step by step). Bright options for stylish manicure!

French manicure has long established itself both in everyday life and at celebrations. The classic French manicure, when the very tips of the nail are decorated with discreet or colored varnish, is now decorated with rhinestones and other unusual elements.

A French manicure done with shellac will last longer than a plain coat. After all, the color is only at the tip of the nail, so the growth of the entire plate goes unnoticed.

Interesting fact! This type of manicure is especially suitable for nails that grow quickly: they do not lose their neatness for a long time, and the stylist’s work looks just as fresh and attractive.

Frequency of use

There is no specific rule that regulates the frequency of shellac application. Most women wear this coverage without interruption, go for touch-ups every three weeks, are happy and have no problems.

If the nail begins to hurt, peel, feel discomfort and chips appear, then you should remove the coating and let the nails rest for a while. In just a month or two, your nails will return to their former shape, look healthy and beautiful.

If it is not possible to completely remove nail polish due to some circumstances, you can consider replacing the brand of base and color gels with another, more gentle composition.

If nothing bothers the owner of a beautiful manicure and there are no contraindications, then you can cover your nails with gel polish depending on her desire. Doing this often is not strictly prohibited; it all depends on the specific type of nail plate.