Is Shellac Harmful to The Nails?

Shellac and other gel paints, which are supposed to last up to four weeks, are tempting not only in summer. But how good are they for the nails?

Is Shellac the perfect manicure?

If you want color on your fingernails, with conventional nail polish there is one thing you need to be above all: patient. Because it takes quite a while for the base coat, color layer and top coat to dry. And the reward for this effort usually lasts two to three days. With some lacquers, perhaps even up to a week. How nice the promise of Shellac and other gel paints sounds: zero drying time, flawless gloss, absolute scratch resistance – and that for up to four weeks. Does this mean that we are all now switching to Shellac and saving ourselves the weekly manicure?

Are gel varnishes more gentle than artificial nails?

Gel varnishes are cured with the help of UV or LED lamps. After brushing and drying, the lacquer is not only immediately dry and scratch-resistant, but also firmly bonded to the nail. This method is similar to the modelling of artificial nails in nail studios: Here, however, the nail is additionally roughened before lacquering. This causes the nail polish and nail surface to bond together so strongly that the color must be filed off later.

Gel nail polish, on the other hand, can be removed with a nail polish remover. This is one reason why many manufacturers advertise their products as being much more gentle. A controversial statement. Because to remove the varnish, the fingertips have to be wrapped around a pad soaked with a remover for about ten minutes. Many of these products contain acetone or other strong solvents that remove fat from the nail and dry out the skin. “Cleaning with acetone attacks the nail more than filing,” says Tanja Krotki, training manager at Douglas. In addition, paint residues that cannot be removed in this way must be scraped off with a wooden spatula.

LED light or UV lamp?

For a while, gel nails could only be made in beauty salons. But in the meantime there are also lamps for home use. When buying one should absolutely pay attention to the type and certification of the device. LED lights are harmless, unlike UV lamps: “With intact quality tubes, UV light is no greater strain on the skin than normal daylight. Obsolete or inferior quality tubes, on the other hand, harden with UVB rays, the light responsible for sunburn. These rays can lead to cell changes in the skin and in the worst case even to cancer,” says Dr. Helger Stege, head of dermatology at Klinikum Lippe.

Shellac for brittle nails?

Many women with already brittle nails choose Shellac or other gel nail polishes. The hope: not having to remove and repaint as often, because Shellac lasts for weeks. A fallacy: removing these lacquers can quickly make nails even more sensitive. There is also the risk of inflammation if the nail plate and skin are attacked – germs then have an easy time.

So if you are flirting with Shellac, you should definitely give your nails a little break afterwards. Rich nail care with nourishing oils is then a must! There are nourishing oils that can be applied with a brush, but also practical nail care sticks for when you are on the go.

Our tip: For cracked nails it is best to use conventional nail polishes. They may not last as long, but they are much gentler.