UV nail gel

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UV nail gel

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El Burdo

Posts: 621
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

UV nail gel

Usual thing but new slant...

I have bought a UV curing lamp and some nail gel as I have permanent weak spots (due to a nail disease when I was a kid - yep, I bit them) in exactly the wrong area of several of my nails, i.e. the contact area in each case.

I use Sally Hansen 'Tough as Nails' which is the best temporary solution but was most happy with superglue and silk wraps as solid nails could be built up. However, as has been said before in this forum, superglue destroys the nails underneath and when you finally give up reconstructing a destroyed nail, you have to wait for ages for them to grow back to a decent thickness, rigidity etc. Three months most recently.

The UV gel was recommended by a well-known London flamenco so I bought a set-up. I paint my nails directly with the gel - no false nails - the gel cures well in 2 minute sessions, but very quickly develops air gaps etc and the nail is easily raised and removed. I am going to try and use thinner coats to cure in a different way (I guess like french polishing a guitar, shouldn't overdo the layers). Maybe I'll buff the nail surface first, though not sure why.

I can't see any info about undercoat or any pre-layering. As this is a new technology and post-dates a lot of the posts here, has anyone else had experience of this technology? It really looks like the way forward as the normal nails are not damaged or degraded - but in my case, only last a day or so.

Thanks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 13:45:22

Sean

Posts: 672
Joined: Jan. 20 2011
From: Canada

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

I guess then main question you have to ask yourself is how often would you need to use this and would you go to a tanning bed that often. http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/01/11/nail-dryers-uv-skin-cancer-manicure.html

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 14:41:46

El_Tortuga

Posts: 258
Joined: Aug. 11 2011
From: Canada

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

I have used many Sally Hansen products, and they're generally good. But I recommend OPI Nail Envy, it's a hardener that I prefer. They even have a "matte" version (not so shiny, looks more like the natural nail), it's this one that I use.

It is more expensive... but one bottle lasts a long time.

3 coats of Nail Envy (with an hour or 2 in between coats and let to dry for a few hours more) has got me through a night of playing.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 14:52:19

El Burdo

Posts: 621
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El_Tortuga)

quote:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/01/11/nail-dryers-uv-skin-cancer-manicure.html

F. I've been wondering about that too, whenever I stick my fingers in the curer. It is supposed to be every month (or more) or so so I guess I need to see if it works at all first. On the other hand, the great thing about flamenco guitar is plentiful pulgar!

El_Tortuga - I'll look for that on the web. I think you've posted elsewhere in this forum on it and I'll have a look there too. Is it hardener like glue, or a security layer like Sally Hansen?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 17:23:26

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

I did the same a few years ago. I was told that a UV lamp and gel would give me great results. I had the same problems as you. There is no doubt that the system makes your nails harder...just not enough to play flamenco guitar. I ended up with more gel on the strings than on my fingers at the end of playing.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 18:20:19

El_Tortuga

Posts: 258
Joined: Aug. 11 2011
From: Canada

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

quote:

ORIGINAL: El Burdo

El_Tortuga - I'll look for that on the web. I think you've posted elsewhere in this forum on it and I'll have a look there too. Is it hardener like glue, or a security layer like Sally Hansen?

Yes, OPI is very similar to Sally Hansen, just I think it's a bit superior. 3 coats works well, as I mentioned. So it will not rob your nails of oxygen. Just avoid putting hardener or gel at the whitish area at the base of your nails, that is a tip I learned from a guitarist some years ago.

If you have time in the evening, you can put 1 or 2 coats on just before you go to sleep. Then it will definitely harden 100% as you sleep.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 19:38:51

El Burdo

Posts: 621
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El_Tortuga)

El_Tortuga - Well, I've ordered some now as well as an Avon product. I'll research them by turn. Thanks for that. Liked the Diego falsetas too!

Pimientito - did you find that the gel came off, like plastic fingernails? Mine seems to harden well enough but just can't stick to the nail. I've tried Tough as Nails underneath, but it still happens, bringing both layers off to reveal a clean nail. Odd. And cancer possibilities. Great.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2012 20:20:44

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

quote:

did you find that the gel came off, like plastic fingernails?

Not really. It was like the gel didnt get hard enough. It formed a plasticky surface but instead of being rock hard it was easy to dent. Playing guitar took some of the surface off and tended to bunch bits of the gel together so in fact it was more of a hinderence than useful.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2012 14:59:37

El_Tortuga

Posts: 258
Joined: Aug. 11 2011
From: Canada

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

quote:

ORIGINAL: El Burdo

El_Tortuga - Well, I've ordered some now as well as an Avon product. I'll research them by turn. Thanks for that. Liked the Diego falsetas too!

Glad you like the falsetas! And I hope the OPI works as well for you as it does for me. Just remember, 3 coats applied an hour or 2 apart, and maybe the last coat before you go to sleep. Then in the morning you'll have a good shell.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2012 16:42:17

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

OPI nail envy is a great product. much better than sally hansen stuff, which did nothing but chip off and just made my nails dryer.

If you're really desperate to have whatever product you're using stick on better, try cleaning your nails with rubbing alcohol first.

For the past few months, I've been going all natural, with the exception of superglue at the tips when working with dancers. I broke a lot of nails at first but my nails are actually getting a lot stronger and I'm able to go longer without any breaks (knock on spruce).

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2012 19:24:31

El Burdo

Posts: 621
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

with the exception of superglue at the tips

Hi at_leo_87: did you use silk wraps at all?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2012 19:31:40

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

quote:

UV nail gel

NO!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2012 23:09:47

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

quote:

Hi at_leo_87: did you use silk wraps at all?

is that when you basically superglue strips of silk onto your nail? i used that for repairs and for nail protection in the past.

but my experience was that it made my nails weaker in the long run, especially if i covered more than just the tip. my theory is that when rasgueados tear off a bit of the silk, a part of the nail comes off with it, making the nail thinner.

i think by using less nail protection, my nails were forced to get stronger. now they're strong enough that i cani just use brush on superglue at the tip when i know my nails are going to be in for some heavy abuse.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2012 4:53:59

tmock

Posts: 143
Joined: Jan. 23 2005
From: New York, New York

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

quote:

OPI nail envy is a great product.

Agreed. I don't have much problem with my nails, but OPI Nail Envy works great for occasional maintenance. About once a month, I apply two thin coats of the matte finish Nail Envy and leave it on for about 24 hours. Works great.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2012 15:46:20

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

think by using less nail protection, my nails were forced to get stronger

Yup, nails are just like your skin. Your skin will callus with more use.

Your nails will strengthen and thicken with more use.

Like you, all i need is a little crazy glue on the tips, and im ready to go.

Proper right hand technique plays a big role too.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2012 17:26:24

n85ae

Posts: 876
Joined: Sep. 7 2006

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to El Burdo)

I must be lucky, I never have nail problems except when I occasionally break one or chip one out in the workshop. When I do, I grab a tube of Zap-a-Gap cyanoacrylate medium, and some accelerator, and reglue the break. The
only downside is the stuff gets really hot when the accelerator hits it.

I noticed when my playing got better over the years that I started not paying
much attention to my nails either. Unless they got a noticeable rough area,
or simply too long. Then I just clip them and file them.

I think Todd hit the nail on the head "Proper right hand technique plays a
big role too"

Jeff

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2012 20:23:45

Posts: 111
Joined: Mar. 27 2011
From: Finland

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to n85ae)

Ciao to everyone!

I've been thinking a lot! this nail problem. There're many solutions to go, but one thing is a over others: If you practise 2-6h/day, you will need help with nails. Normal nails just are not strong enough. For example picado exercises "saw" your nails away. But anyway, I think one most popular thing is to use simple "fast glue". To use it more effectively you can use polymethric acrylicpowder with it. Dentists use this powder to make teeth and normal fastglue contans "cyanoacrylic" (or whatever its written:) This glue is originally made for the war. Medics used it to close major wounds. Both are safe to use without need to be afraid of cancer. Only thing is that you should not "breath" the glue, its not good, so use it next to window or something else. Hope this helps you guys.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 15 2012 19:45:41

El Burdo

Posts: 621
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

RE: UV nail gel (in reply to Jw)

Thanks Jw. Did you post somewhere else where you showed a photograph - you referred to powder but I couldn't see a picture of it. I can't find that post now. It sounds very interesting. How does the powder come? Or do you ask for 'Polymethric acrylic powder'?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 15 2012 20:27:58