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All good things come to an end, including the perfect manicure. There are tell-tale signs that a trip to the salon is in order. It is no secret that maintaining perfect nails costs, many women need to budget. They want to know: how much does it cost to remove my shellac?
Most salons charge around $15 to remove and redo your shellac while removal alone costs $5. This price may vary from salon to salon but it will be within that range. The cost to remove and redo shellac nails is usually similar to the cost for gel.
Keeping your nails looking good is important, particularly when you work with clients or customers. The best way to keep them updated is to budget and plan to remove them or remove and redo them when they start to look tacky. I will discuss the signs that your shellac needs to be removed and how they are removed.
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When To Get Shellac Removed
Most women who opt to get their nails done want to appear well-groomed. One can look professional or presentable regardless of whether they do their nails or not. However, if one does choose to do their nails then it is good to keep them looking polished.
Alternatively, one might want to remove their manicure to give their nails a break. There are signs that it is time for a redo or removal. I will discuss these here.
You Have Passed the Two Week Mark
The general rule of thumb is to avoid going more than 3 weeks without either touching up, removing or redoing shellac nails. This product can harden over time making it more difficult to remove.
It also looks more professional when one avoids waiting for the shellac to start cracking or peeling before having it removed or redone. By 3 weeks there is also usually a noticeable gap between the nail cuticle and the shellac nail.
No one wants to get stuck in a situation where one or two nails have come off and they cannot get an appointment. Sticking to the two-week mark will likely prevent this crisis.
Your Nails Are Looking Tacky
There are some unfortunate instances where shellac is not done properly or the salon uses products in the lower quality range. It is then possible for shellac nails to start wearing before the two-week mark.
In fact, there have been cases where Shellac nails start to peel after only a few days. This is a sad reality. Nevertheless, to maintain a presentable look it is wise to get your shellac nails touched up or, in some instances, removed when they start peeling or seriously discoloring.
Here you can also read about how often you should do shellac.
How Do Salons Remove Shellac?
Some ladies want to know if they can remove their shellac themselves. It is possible, but there is a bigger risk that their natural nails will get damaged. Shellac is a hard product so it takes a special technique to safely remove them.
Additionally, having them removed is affordable and helps to avoid long-term damage that would end up costing to repair anyways. The worst thing one can do is peel the nail polish or product. It is best to go to a salon to have the shellac removed.
I will discuss the two techniques that salons commonly use here.
Soaking The Shellac
The first step is to buff the shellac to remove the upper layer. This is done to break the seal that helps keep the product stuck to the nail. This is important to ensure that the nail is not damaged during the removal process.
Next, the nail technician soaks the nails in something called acetone. It is a colorless liquid also known as Propanone and is a solvent used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products. In other words, acetone is used to break the shellac down making it less resistant to remove.
Acetone also works better than nail varnish remover at breaking the shellac product down. The technician soaks the nails for around 10 minutes. When the product starts dissolving, the technician will carefully remove the remaining product. A gel polish scraper tool is used to do this. Your nails may also need a gentle buff in the end.
If you want to redo your nails at the same time, the nail technician may give your nails a few minutes to air out and then start applying the new set.
Wrapping The Shellac
The nail technician starts by buffing the first layer, which is the shiny coat, to break the nail seal. Then, they soak cotton balls in acetone solutions. These are wrapped around the nail and closed up with aluminum foil to keep the cotton bolls firmly in place.
The acetone will start to dissolve the shellac product making it safer to remove. Usually, these are kept on for around 10 minutes. The technician may remove one to check the progress and either leave it one for a few minutes or remove the other cotton balls.
The next step involves removing the leftover products. The nail technician will use a gel removal tool to gently scrape the residue product away. They may also gently buff the nail afterward.
Tips To Make Your Shellac Nails Last
Now that you know why and how to remove your shellac, I will discuss some techniques you can apply to really make those nails last and look good for their duration.
Keep Them Protected
Protecting your shellac nails is important. The product is designed to withstand daily tasks like cooking and cleaning but it has its limits. Keeping your shellac nails protected can extend their lifespan.
When cleaning, wear cleaning gloves to protect them from harsh chemicals. When cooking or handling other substances or materials, be mindful of staining.
Lock-In The Moisture
Dry nail beds or cuticles are a culprit of shorter shellac lifespans. Keep your nails moisturized by using a good hand cream. Spend time rubbing it on your cuticles and try to do this daily or more often if needed. Particularly during the winter months.
Do Touch Ups
Maintenance is key. You can ask the salon or your nail technician for a high-quality top coat nail polish. This will help to protect your shellac from harsh environmental exposure. Applying a top coat on a weekly basis will help to keep the product strong and maintain the seal.
The Bottom Line
It may sound like a lot of time and money to keep those nails looking good but it is worth it. With proper maintenance, your shellac can last up to 3 weeks and look great for that duration. When it’s time, be sure to remove them at a great salon and keep your nails looking gorgeous and healthy.
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