I am sure by now you have all heard of the newest trend in nails… Shellac. First and foremost let me say this, it is an innovative nail system that is an awesome idea. It is a great product and Creative Nail Design is a great company with terrific products for our hands and our feet. Shellac was created so women could have nice looking nails without chips and also to promote healthy nail growth. Shellac is a nail polish system that lasts up to two weeks without chipping, every woman’s dream. Unfortunately it is becoming a nightmare.

The reasons for the sleepless nights are these…poor application and removal of the product and not educating the client about what they are putting on their nails. At least four times a week I have a woman come into my shop either with red, irritated nails and cuticles wincing as she explains the horrors of Shellac or asking if I sell acetone so she can “soak her hands” to remove the Shellac – because that’s what her “nail girl” told her to do. YIKES!!! So I am taking  upon myself to give you all a heads up about this product…call it Nails 101.

(From the CND website) – Shellac is a breakthrough, patent-pending UV3 technology that combines the ease of polish with the permanence of gels.

So, it is a polish/gel product. It is not recommended to be applied to a nail bed that is damaged – peeling or splitting. It is not meant to be used as a nail strengthener. The proper removal process is to wrap each individual nail with a foil nail wrap that has been saturated in acetone, leave them on for approx. 5 – 15 minutes (depending on how long you have had the Shellac on your nails), remove the foil nail wraps, then gently remove the remaining Shellac with an orange wood stick. YOU SHOULD NOT PLACE YOUR HAND IN A BOWL OF ACETONE!!! Also, the nail tech should NEVER use a drill on your nail to remove Shellac. Ever.

Shellac is meant to be applied by trained Nail Professionals and removed by trained Nail Professionals. I stress the word Professional. Ladies, please, for the love of all that is great…when you go to get your nails done, ask what the Nail Tech is doing. Ask what she is using. Do not let her put your hand in acetone. Next time you sit down to get your nails done, if you are asked to “soak your hand in this” – ask what it is and unless you are at Home Depot, there should not be a drill in sight.