It is that time of the month when your nail paint is chipped, you also have a couple of cracked nails, you are bored of the color of your nail paint and you need a manicure urgently. You walk into your favorite salon, and once you are seated, your therapist comes in with a menu and gives you various options, suggesting that you should try the no chip manicure, more popularly called the gel manicure. You are tempted, but should you? Well, read on and decide for yourself.

All About The No Chip Manicure:

The ground-breaking gel manicure claims to last for over two weeks. And it delivers! The nails are first buffed, and smeared with alcohol, so the product lasts. Then a base coat is applied, over which many coats and a colored gel is added. After the layers and layers of coats, there is a final topcoat applied. Of course such a complicated procedure cannot be done at home, and so you would need to visit a salon every time you need to get this manicure done. The removal also isn’t easy, and requires acetone wraps, which means it is a procedure in itself.

The Process Explained:

The first thing to keep in mind while getting this manicure done is to make sure that the product is strictly used on the nails only. Before the process begins, a six-phase buffer is used to thoroughly file and buffer the nails. You need to make sure your nails are smooth and shiny. Now, some alcohol is rubbed over your nails to make sure that any little left over dirt is completely removed. This ensures maximum effectiveness of the product.

Now starts the procedure, where the first layer or the base coat is applied. This is a UV coat. This coat is a light version of the old school nail gel procedures. It helps in reshaping the nail, making sure the length is intact. This coat also makes sure that the nails are not stained. Once the coat is applied, it is left to set under a special UV light, so that it can dry and harden.

Now a colored gel is used. About one to three thin coats are applied, making sure the coverage is the best. What decides the number of coats is the nature of the selected color. The colored gel is basically a clear gel that is mixed with traditional nail polish. This combination gives it its lasting quality. After the application of each layer, the nails are put under the UV dryer. It is mandatory for the nails to be cured before the application of the next layer. It is this curing that helps the manicure last as long as it boasts.

The manicure is finished off, for ultimate protection and shine, with a UV topcoat. This coat is the same as the base coat. It is extremely thin, and is a much thinner version of the traditional gel. After all these coats, the nails are put under the UV light again, for a final round of curing.

Caution:

It is an absolute must that this manicure is done by a licensed nail professional. The products used are also not accessible by everyone. The removal of the nail paint also can be done only at a salon, as the nails need to be wrapped in a special acetone based band-aid. This will soften the product and separate it from the natural nail. This is the only process that will help remove the gel nail paint safely. If one tries to do it at home, it will damage the nail in a way that is irreparable.

Health Hazards:

There are two main health hazards that are possible because of this manicure. The first hazard is the use of UV light. A study says that this light increases the risk of cancer. Although the exposure to the light is short, there is a chance of skin cancer or melanoma of the nail bed, which is extremely difficult to treat.

The second hazard is the use of acetone in the removal of the nail paint. It can leave the nail dryer and thinner, making it brittle and extremely susceptible to fungus and infections. If the acetone is left too long, in severe cases, the nail could fall off.

Precautions:

This saying goes for almost everything, but moderation is certainly the key. If you get this done less frequently, there should be no problem. Just make sure you apply a good layer of sunscreen on your hands before you go in for your manicure. Another quick trick- you could wear a pair of plastic gloves on your hands cutting out only the nail part, so you limit the exposure to the light. Post the treatment; you could massage your hands with petroleum jelly to combat the dryness.

All this said, the only question remains whether you still would want to get the treatment done, or not.

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by Shirin Mehdi via STYLECRAZE