Shellac was the first hybrid polish, produced by CND, and you can expect manicures to last about two weeks. Some may find that the chip-free finish lasts longer than this, but it's recommended that you get them removed after 14 days as by this time your own nail will have started to grow out.
Unfortunately, leaving your CND™ Shellac™ manicure on for too long can result in service breakdown; lifting, chipping, discolouration etc.
To prevent smudging, it is best to wait one to two hours before hopping in the tub or shower. To help speed drying time, use a fast-drying topcoat or a nail polish dryer.
Shellac nails are suuuper long-lasting, and you can probably get anywhere from 10 to 14 days out of 'em. You don't want to keep them on longer than two weeks though—by this time, your real nail will have started to grow out, and it's not the cutest look.
Take a break between Shellac manicures. It's as simple as that. “We always recommend our clients give their nails a break from Shellac, especially if they have had multiple Shellac manicures in a row,” Dunne says. “It gives your nails a chance to re-strengthen.”
Your shellac nails should remain shiny and chip-free for 14 to 21 days if you take care of them responsibly. Don't worry about your day to day activities: taking out keys, working on the computer and (light) cooking are no match for shellac.
If you just allow your gel nails to grow out, they can become weak and brittle as a result of being exposed to water and air, which could potentially damage your natural nails.
As many of us know, Shellac nail polish is the way to go when looking for one of the more durable options of nail polish around. On average, they last up to 2 weeks, with some lucky few getting a good 3 weeks in!
This is rule number one for shellac nails – DO NOT peel them off. Peeling off the shellac nails yourself can damage your natural nails by peeling off the stronger layers of your nails leaving the weaker nails exposed.
In our experience, SNS can last up to one week longer than Shellac nails without chipping, and SNS also creates a thicker-looking nail from all that powder getting added on. But we've found Shellac to be a little less damaging to our nails long-term than SNS nails.
After 1 week
If they are peeling at this point you may not be a good candidate for gel manicure. Some nail types are very thin, weak, or oily. Thin and weak nails can't be buffed well enough to create the little “velcro” action that adheres the polish to the nail.
Shellac nails can last up to two weeks, depending on your lifestyle and habits. To ensure that your nails look their best, it is important to change your shellac nails every two weeks. This will help prevent any damage to your nails, such as chipping, peeling, and splitting.
The most common reason why the top coat starts peeling after one day is because the top coat isn't cured properly. Sometimes this is a top coat formula and lamp compatibility issue - or that you just need to cure the top coat for longer.
Shellac polish can ruin your natural nails. Scraping and peeling off cured nail polish can physically remove the top layers of your nail bed. If the damage is already done, learn how you can repair broken, brittle, or flaky nails with all-natural ingredients.
Gel manicures benefit those with weaker nails and lasts just that little bit longer than Shellac. However, the removal process is quite lengthy. Shellac is a thinner polish, so if you want to give your nails more space to “breathe' and have sturdy natural nail beds, this one's for you.
Let's get straight into the million-pound question: do gels and Shellac manicures damage your nails? The short answer is no — but only if you look after them. "Shellac and gels won't damage your nails providing it is applied, removed, and cared for correctly," said Victoria Trafford, CND's education ambassador.
This is why heading to a professional to remove shellac nails is a good idea. A liquid solvent used to remove stubborn polish. Like traditional nail varnish remover, but seriously strong (I'm talking removing Sharpie strong). Cotton pads will be soaked in acetone, and wrapped around each nail, to dissolve the polish.
Any remover with an acetone content of 60 per cent or more will work, but it's best to find one designed to remove shellac or gel polish – like this one – as it will be less harsh on your skin and nail beds. Pure acetone is also very effective, but it can also be drying to your skin and nail beds.
Adverse Reactions
Several cases of allergic contact dermatitis of the eyelids due to shellac in mascara, cheilitis due to shellac in lip products, allergic dermatitis due to shellac in a hairspray, and allergic dermatitis in black ink most likely containing shellac for tattooing have been reported.
CND™ SHELLAC™ Top Coats should be cured for one minute in the CND™ LED Lamp (preset button 3) and two minutes in the CND™ UV Lamp.
“Lifting occurs when there isn't a correct bond between the product and the nail plate. Therefore, the best way to prevent lifting is through proper prep of the nail plate and product control.
While you can get your shellac manicure removed at the salon, you don't have to. You can buy special shellac remover wraps, but you don't need them. The acetone should loosen the shellac so it can be gently pushed off of the nail; you don't need to scrape or file or otherwise mistreat your nails to remove it.
At least three to four layers of shellac are required to achieve an ideal finish.
Unlike other artificial nails, you cannot use Shellac to strengthen or lengthen your nails. Shellac is only sold to licensed professionals and requires a special removal process. You cannot apply Shellac, repair a break or even remove it at home.