About Jackie Ebarb Expertise Willing to answer all questions relating to Nail Care including artificial and natural nails. Also Hair and Skin Care related questions. If I don't know the answer I will do my best to find it. My approach to Nail, Hair, or Skin Care is: The Healthier The Better! I believe that as a professional in the industry it is my job to keep or get your hair/nails/skin in the best possible condition. I strive to find and use only the best products that achieve this goal and I hold EVERY Technician to the highest of standards it is our job to care about the person and the conditon not just the speed and money!
Experience Licensed nail tech in UT since 2001 and recently licensed as a cosmetologist since June 2007, which in UT includes Barbering, Hair (Cutting, Coloring, Perming, etc), Nail Tech, Aesthician (including make-up artist). Have been attending school since 2000.
Education/Credentials Attended Cosmetology School from 2000-2007, attend trade shows and continued education including prior to licensure.
Question QUESTION: hi Just had gel nails done for the first time today.
I apply hand cream several times a day and a treatment to my cuticles at night.
Is there anything I should avoid in the cuticle area now I have gel over lays? Can I carry on moisturising my hands/cuticles as usual?
Thanks in advance
Annie
ANSWER: Ann,
Be a little more specific for me...what "cuticle treatment" do you use at night? Also, what kind of gel was used on your nails? Also, was it an overlay of your natural nail or an acrylic set with a gel overlay?
Generally speaking there are not "a lot" of things that you have to worry about when it comes to using lotions and cuticle treatments over artificial nails. Having said that it is important to use professional grade products (or at least high grade) and that is hard to determine unless you use a professional grade product. The lotion and treatments that you use could do a whole lot of nothing if it is not something that is easily assimilated by your skin and nails. There are some really good products for this but I recommend Solar Oil (Cuticle treatment) and Solar Silk (lotion) because they contain Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) seed oil (an essential oil that is easily absorbed because it is very close to the oils produced naturally by skin).
In most cases the thing that you need to be concerned about with traditional gel nails is that the nail is sealed (also called capped) with gel and should not be filed on between appts. Now there are very few gels that this statement does not apply to. Also avoid pressing on the natural or artificial nail in such a way as to push the cuticle back. If your cuticles need maintenance between nail appts gently press the cuticle back after showering or bathing so that it is already softened some. Please notice that I said Gently. Natural nails are generally flexible and artificial are not usually very flexible. So, if you do too much pushing, scraping, and picking etc. this can cause lifting between appts. Hope this Helps
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QUESTION: Many thanks for your help jackie - have ordered some Solar oil and will give it a try!
Since my mail to you I have a problem in the fact that my gel nails are lifting off the nail! Called at the salon today - no help apart from offered an appointment on Thursday to see what they can do! Why has this happened? What will they do to correct the problem! Kinda wish I had not bothered getting them done now - I am very disappointed.
The gel was an overlay on my own nails. UV was used to set them.
Thanks for taking the time to help me.
Regards Annie
Answer Ann,
I am so sorry to hear this. How long has it been since your last nail appt? Most Artificial nail products are rated to allow only 2 weeks time between rebalance or fill appts (some allow a maximum of 3 weeks under optimal application). This means that if you or your nail tech did not follow perfect application procedure then you may get lifting or problems between appts. Of course, no one can do a "perfect" set of nails, this being said there are MANY exemplary nail techs and products. If you were not pleased this time then I would suggest you educate yourself a little about what products the salons around you use! Meaning find out what you had put on our nails and look for a salon that uses a different product. There are many salons, many different products, and many different people. Because everyone is so different, different products work better for different techs and different clients. Keep looking until you find someone and some product that is better suited for you.
I personally have phenomenal success with a product called Angel Love Gel Nails. I have discontinued using any other products and when I find someone that it doesn't "fit" the best with I refer them to another salon in the area (I have only done this ONCE! in 7 years and 200 clients) when I have had clients leave to "try" another product they have always called to come back. I now encourage clients who wonder if there is a better product to try something else. Look up their website www.alnails.com
Good Luck!
