A Shellac manicure is a popular choice at a nail salon. This treatment uses a hybrid of regular and gel nail polish to produce a durable, high-shine finish. If you’re considering this type of manicure, here’s a brief guide of what you should know.

How to Prepare

Apply nail oil to your nail beds and cuticles to ensure they’re supple and healthy enough to accept the polish. If you notice these areas are cracking, damaged, or splitting, reschedule the manicure until your hands are healthy. Since UV light is used to set the gel, apply sunscreen to your hands to protect the skin from exposure. Lastly, ensure your nails are at your preferred length. While the nail salon technician will shape them, the manicure won’t add any length.

How to Maintain It

Since Shellac manicures use a gel hybrid polish, they don’t require much maintenance to retain their appearances. However, the formula is porous, so using chemicals, like cleaning products, may cause premature chipping or peeling. If you need to use these cleaning agents, wear rubber gloves to protect the color.

Keep your hands moisturized, especially around the nail beds, to prevent dry skin and brittleness—this results from the acetone in the polish. You should also apply cuticle oil twice a day to maintain a healthy nail bed.

How to Remove It

Shellac manicures last for about two weeks to a month, depending on your care and nail growth. Once your nail length exceeds the polish, you can either get a touchup or ask to have it removed. Never peel or take off the gel yourself, as this will damage the top layer of your nails.

During the removal process, your technician will soak your nails in acetone then wrap them to loosen the polish. The heat from your body and the wraps help loosen the polish for easier removal, while the remainder will be scraped off gently. Once the polish is gone, your nail salon technician may buff the surface to smooth any residual roughness.

If you want to get a Shellac manicure, head to Rejuvenation Salon & Spa in Juneau, AK. This full-service salon offers exceptional nail services, including Shellac manicures. Their talented technicians can also add beautiful designs to your nails, making them a work of art that you can change to match any season or occasion. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (907) 790-3362.