Frequently Asked Questions about nail care

If your artificial nails or the gel on your own nails are applied in a professional and correct way, it is completely painless. If you have a painful feeling during or after the treatment or if your nails are red after the treatment, your nail plate was probably damaged as a result of the incorrect filing of your nails. Unfortunately, this is a common mistake with less well-trained nail stylists! If this happens, we recommend that you change your nail stylist/nail studio as soon as possible.

The gel layer on your own nails or on your artificial nails should match the shape of a beautiful, natural nail as closely as possible. A common mistake is that the gel layer is 'convex' and has been placed far too thick on your nails/artificial nails. Such mistakes are usually a result of the inexperience and/or poor education of your nail stylist and/or the use of the wrong products. Of course, such a 'thick and convex' nail is not aesthetically pleasing!

Gel nails on the one hand and acrylic nails on the other are applied in a different way and the hardening of the products differs. Another important difference is that acrylic nails can in principle be harmful to your natural nails and gel nails are not. After all, acrylic nails are normally removed with an acetone-based product which can be harmful to your natural nails.

If the artificial nails - or gel on your own nails - are applied in a professional and correct manner, your own nails will not be damaged. However, this only applies to gel nails and we also assume that your nail stylist is experienced and is using high quality products. However, if your nails are painful/red, mistakes were made by your nail stylist (filing through your nail bed, ...). We also do not recommend acrylic nails due to the use of certain acetone-based products.

Gel nails are stronger than your own nails. In principle, you can do anything with artificial nails that you normally do. Of course you have to pay attention to the length of your artificial nails. After all, (very) long artificial nails will be in the way if you are very active with your hands. Then a slightly shorter artificial nail is of course a solution ... It is a good idea not to use your nails as tools and to be careful with aggressive (cleaning) agents, just like you do with your natural nails.

The natural nails of nail biters as well as problem nails (torn nails, brittle nails, ...) can normally be perfectly treated by placing artificial nails or strengthening your natural nails with gel, even though your natural nails are very short. However, keep in mind that your natural nails must have a certain minimum length in order to apply artificial nails, although very short nails are not usually a problem. In this respect, we recommend that you show your nails to your nail stylist before making an appointment.

As the gel or artificial nail is placed on your natural nails, your natural nails will continue to grow. Depending on the growth rate of your natural nails, the gel layer or your artificial nails will need to be re-treated. Usually the interval is 3 to 4 weeks.

Below is a brief overview of what is possible with regard to gel nails and gel polish / shellac finishes:

• Color Gel : Complete nail in one (of many) colors
• French Manicure : a sheer nude or light pink color as base for the nails, and a distinguishing thin white polish stripe at the tip;
• Natural nails : The nail is completely in a natural colour (transparent, pink).
• Nail Art : Various decorations, stickers, rhinestones, ...

The question is actually quite strange. After all, nails are a dead matter, so they don't need to breathe. Nails grow 'from within': they are fed from the bloodstream. The visible part of your nail - the nail plate - consists of dead cells (keratin (just like your hair) and can't breathe). The cuticle bed and cuticle, on the other hand, obtain oxygen from the bloodstream (and not from the air). All the oxygen that the nail matrix needs to grow is supplied from the blood.

It happens regularly that there are white spots, dots or stripes on your nails. The most common are small white dots or spots. This is also called leukonychia punctata. Sometimes there are stripes across (leukonychia striata). It also happens that the nail is completely white (leukonychia totalis). No worries, this does not indicate a shortage of calcium, zinc or vitamins. Usually they are the result of a punch or a tap. The white spots are best compared to bruises. Everyone bumps and continuously damages their nails and fingers, but forgets about that. Nails grow very slowly at about 3.5 millimetres per month, so the damage to the nail only becomes visible when your nail continues to grow. The occasional white spot on some nails is not abnormal.