The 5 Biggest Tips For Safe Use Of Gel Nails | For DIYers and PROs

[@6852660]

I am a serious DIYer who uses Kokoist almost exclusively after educating myself through KZbin (including watching a ton of your videos). $550 starting is a serious under estimation. I'd say when I started, it was at least $700. Right now, my collection is easily over $2000. Doing gel properly is a serious hobby!

[@PaolaPonceNails]

I know it is! Thank you 🙏 for sharing those figures!

[@jilliancusack7902]

Same! I love doing my own nails and am super serious about safety because I went to cosmetology school! I'm not a licensed tech, but I am a serious DIYer.

[@yoo1764]

I messed up! I took a nail course without doing any further research about ingredients in polish, I really thought it didn’t matter. I’ve bought all my colours off of shien and although no bad reactions have occurred yet, I’m realizing how dangerous this can be.. especially for regulars. I’m currently looking into the brands on SHEIN I purchased and I’m sure I’m going to find something I don’t like lol. Thanks for the information I needed it

[@apwhoa7767]

Thanks for taking the time for this. I see so so many DIY’ers mixing, using and improperly applying to the nail/skin, etc…. Scary!

[@gldominick8854]

After 20+ years professional and educator. It started slowly with monomer allergies now any methacrylic causes me to burn, ice and crack my skin. Especially the hyponycium.

[@unboundbytiffany]

I wish I had any clue as a DIYer about even the possibility of allergies before I started a month of two ago. I now have blistering excema all over my fingertips, fingers, and hands that hurt and itch. Just from doing practice gel art and while I was being what I thought was pretty dang careful. Never had any problems prior getting my nails done and even DIYing just a quick manicure here and there. But all of a sudden. Aghh. I'm hoping it isn't related but still trying to figure it out. But despite the tons of videos watched and things read before finding your channel had no clue gels could cause allergic reactions :(. Thank you for putting this out there, people need to know this stuff!

[@pinkkitten_nails]

One thing I want to warn everyone about is overexposure to iso alcohol and gel cleaners on the skin. In some respect these can be more dangerous due to the fact that many see rubbing alcohol as safe which it is but when using it in gel services especially when just starting it and making many mistakes we can get wicked allergies and rashes contact dermatitis on the hands. Always use gloves even if your just using cleaner and always wash your hands after using alcohol and put some type of cream on

[@m4jima]

Could you please go into depth ? I am so anxious about all of this.

[@ortik4]

One big miss here is the nail dust imho. Nail dust is noting but micro plastic flying around and entering your airways. I do believe there should be more potent options on the market for nail dust collectors. They are all very cute, but poorly performing. And obviously DIYers cannot invest in a 1000+ dollar professional one... This topic is hugely underestimated by the nail industry itself.

[@PaolaPonceNails]

I hear ya on this one. The two most potent options that I've tried are the Anemone and Shemax (just saw it in action at a nail show this past weekend). Dust is definitely an issue if it's freely flying around. Both options mentioned are at least $350. Pricey? Of course. So this brings me to the point that I made in the video of: Is all this worth it to DIY, especially more technical services like a structured overlay, which needs to be filed down and rebalanced every month?? That's up to each individual's skill and budget to decide. Furthermore, bottled builders' dust is going to be more fine because it has thinner ingredients (monomers). The lighter the dust, the more it will go airborne if not captured in a dust collection system, as it will not be weighed down by gravity. Acrylic techs are better off in this regard because acrylic dust is heavier and is pulled down by gravity. Overall, two other solutions that I've mentioned in previous videos, to control dust in your nail are #1 To create humidity in your room/area. One way is to obviously turn on a humidifier. Another is to work over a wet or misted towel over your table. #2 Invest in an air purifier. It has helped tremendously in my room, it has helped tremendously in my room. I think routine DIYers will have to invest more than the occasional ones. Thank you for bringing this topic up, and hope our subscribers gained some new insights.

[@ortik4]

@@PaolaPonceNails Thank you for your comprehensive and detailed reply. Sure 350$ is a big investment (not mentioning all the other stuff you already mentioned in your video), but still is vital to educate people that it's no less than mandatory to be safe first (which was the purpose of your video). Thanks again for bringing such educational videos. Huge hugs from San Marino!

[@_xiosa]

I’ve been using the Emil X2S dust collector. It’s under $300 and the quality feels like it’s going to last forever. I DIY my own nails and felt this was worth the price. Having the dust collector is a game changer. As mentioned in the video, people should really consider if they want to put up the money and time to do their own nails. I made the decision to DIY mostly bc I enjoy t he nail art aspect, but i don’t always suggest others to do it bc of the investment.

[@cobrafan1403]

I'm a nail tech and developed a HEMA allergy weeks after I got my 2nd dose of the 💉. I'm not really seeing other people talk about these autoimmune health effects but this has really effected my business and livelihood.

[@PaolaPonceNails]

:( Soo sorry to hear.

[@jsera1533]

is there anyway to find where brands get they're manufacturing done?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Absolutely. Simply email them. The Japanese Brands I mention in this channel, all are manufactured in Japan with their own team of chemists, and most of their resins are from Japan also.

[@christiangyrl3]

Hi Paola, great video.❤

[@alma.702]

Have you made a review on Kiara sky dust collector vs the Valentino? Or in your opinion which is best?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Many of my community members have had issues with Kiara Sky equipment not lasting so I would not bother with their products (myself), and they’re also out of my niche. Valentino’s is good, I haven’t used theirs in a few years now, but I would really like to try their latest version as there has been some improvements.

[@alma.702]

@@PaolaPonceNails oh no, they're so pretty and i was looking forward to purchasing from them. What about the melody susie products? Do you recommend those?

[@alma.702]

@@NanaNan1 oh wow i didn't even think about sanitizing my own things. Thank you for that very important information. Im an enthusiast, i just want to work on my own nails I'm just ordering things of Amazon and watching videos, I can't wait to start.

[@lunariahinamori8059]

the problem I have is that of course, using safe products sounds great, but safe companies don't sell to DIY and a license is sickly expensive, like, last time I checked it was 7300 dollar (like 76 890 kr) and it was online anyways... so like, what?

[@PaolaPonceNails]

Totally get it. Most nail companies also don’t require a license to purchase. Many say “For Professional Use Only”, but if they really wanted to enforce that, then they would require a verified user login… but they don’t 🤷🏻‍♀️ In my opinion nail brands should read “for trained used only”. A nail license does not make it safe to use their products. DIYing, trial and erroring w/ random KZbin videos is risky also. Certifying in their products does. Having a nail expert’s guidance does also. Therefore, I highly recommend a brand certification or you can also join my Master Gel Nails Course which teaches you about the gel products I use and how to identify safe gel nail products before learning application. The brands I use do not require you to be pro-verified before using. paolaponcenails.com/mgn/ Otherwise, I do agree with many experts’ opinions, lacquer is the safer option. I add… press-ons are. Hope this helps 💐

[@ladyinmauve]

It'll be nice when companies have a ventilation option for us DIYers because the wxhaust fan doesn't cut it most of the time😅.