When I was doing research about Shellac I was amazed to find so much misinformation online about it and decided to put together this post to answer some questions.
Is Shellac the same as Gel?
This is a hugely common misunderstanding. Some people think Shellac is Gel and Gel is Shellac....that they are one and the same. But of course we do the same when we call a vacuum cleaner a 'Hoover' don't we? Not all vacuum cleaners are Hoovers! They are similar machines...they work in a similar way...but they are different brands.
Shellac is a hybrid of Gel and polish. It doesn't always last as long as Gel, but it has a gentler application process and the removal is easier and cleaner. People who love Gel want the super long lasting durability that it gives. Shellac fans love the fact that nails are protected during application and removal. Make sure that you know what you are getting when you ask for a Shellac or Gel manicure.
Does Shellac damage your nails?
No it absolutely doesn't. If Shellac is applied and removed correctly, it will NOT damage your nails. Products applied to nails don't damage them - it is poor application and prep work that will damage your nails.
Proper nail preparation and application is essential, so always check that the Nail Technician has trained with CND in Shellac and always check that they have a recognized qualification in Manicure and Pedicure. Someone who isn't qualified won't know how to apply Shellac and is likely to file the surface of the nail plate before application, causing the nail to weaken. They also are likely to apply the polish incorrectly and not give correct aftercare advice - leaving you with polish that will chip quickly.
An unqualified technician also won't have access to genuine CND products, because the products are only available to trained technicians. If they are not qualified, they will be buying counterfeit products from unauthorized sellers and this can cause many problems with allergic reactions and difficulty with removal. A client can also cause damage to the nail themselves if they try to peel the Shellac away as this will result in removal of the top layer of nail, which damages and weakens the natural nail.
Am I guaranteed it will last?
The longevity of the manicure depends on several things - the skill of the nail technician, clients paying attention to aftercare and the condition of the clients nails. Shellac is not indestructible. For many people it will last 2 or even 3 weeks, but not using gloves while washing up and when using household detergents can cause the Shellac to weaken. Not using Solar oil is another reason Shellac may not last, as this is an important part of aftercare. Shellac works best on healthy nails, so if your nails are damaged, very weak or brittle, a good nail technician will always advise that it is best to invest some time in taking care of your nails with nails strengtheners and cuticle oils to build up the condition of your nails to ensure that Shellac works at it's best for you.
Aren't you just selling me the Solar oil to make more money?
No, Solar oil is not sold to clients as a marketing gimmick. It is a very essential part of aftercare. It conditions and moisturizes the cuticle area, ensuring your manicure stays looking amazing. When cured, the Shellac forms tiny tunnels through the layers (this is what helps with the easy and safe removal) and the sweet almond and the jojoba oil both have molecules that are small enough to penetrate through the tunnels of the Shellac through to the nail plate to keep it moisturized. The shellac is also porous and absorbs the oil making it more flexible and less likely to chip. Wear gloves for chores and oil those nails at least twice a day and you will have lasting results!
Solar oil is cheaper on ebay, can I buy there?
Yes it might be cheaper, but in the U.K CND products are only available from two companies who won't sell to anyone who is not a qualified technician. So while you can save some money by searching selling sites online, the chances are you will be buying a fake product that won't work as well as the genuine one. This can leave you without the great results you were expecting and possibly having to deal with allergic reactions.
Nails need a rest from Shellac sometimes.
No, this isn't true. Nails don't breathe, so covering with Shellac doesn't affect the health of the nail. In fact, continued use of Shellac and proper, consistent aftercare will actually improve nails condition by protecting them and supporting healthy growth. So have a Shellac manicure as often as you want!
Isn't exposure to UV light dangerous?
According to Dr. Robert M. Sayre, Ph.D., of Rapid Precision Testing Laboratories one of the creators of the SPF rating system......
“UV Nail Lamps are safer than natural sunlight or sunlamps. The CND UV Nail Lamp bulb emits almost exclusively (more than 99%) UVA-1, the safest part of the ultraviolet spectrum. Hands get more UV exposure holding the steering wheel of a car or talking on a cell phone outside than they do from the use of UV nail lamps"
I've heard that Shellac is made from crushed beetles.
'Shellac' is a type of resin that is secreted by a female beetle called the Lac Bug. This Shellac resin was used in wood polishes and gave a very high shine. CND Shellac is a brand name - not an ingredient. CND named their polish 'Shellac' simply because the product embodies the same qualities of durability, long lasting shine and hardness as the original shellac furniture polish. Shellac is vegan and no CND produsts are tested on animals.
Can I remove the shellac at home?
It isn't illegal to do so! but any good nail technician will advise against it. There are many articles on the internet saying you can and saying how to do it, but they often give very bad advice. Usually misinformed internet articles advise filing away the top coat and soaking fingernails in acetone for up to 15 minutes. Just wiping the your nails with acetone can leave a chalky white residue on the skin - why would you want to soak your finger nails for 15 minutes in that? Both of these things are going to damage the nails severely. CND trained nail techs never file away the top coat and they use a CND professional remover which is designed to remove Shellac without drying out the skin around the nails or damaging the nail itself. Many nail techs offer removal for free so there really isn't any need to attempt a D.I.Y removal and, even if they do charge for the service, it is not a huge amount to pay for ensuring your nails are not damaged.
