Please be kind.
I’m rough on my hands and have to wash them a lot. Added to that, I don’t like the feeling of lotion so my nails/cuticles are in rough shape. I have it in my head that you shouldn’t have any open sores/cuts when you go to get a manicure, so I’ve never gone.
Unfortunately, now with age, my nails are getting more brittle and starting to split so I’d really like to get nails to help prevent breaking.
I’ll attach photos of my hands in their current state (which is honestly not bad as far as my nails go). Can I go get a manicure with them looking like this?
If I do, what do I even ask for? I would need them to be short-ish and not sharp.
by Introverted-T-Rex
4 Comments
You can 100% get a manicure. 💅I’m a nail tech, and do nails for plenty of people who do farm work, sports, etc… I am a gel artist mostly so if you were my client I would recommend a builder gel, a clear one if you didn’t want any color, but it would keep your nails strong while they grow or just help maintain your nail structure. ❤️ A good cleanup on your cuticles, regular cuticle oil, and hand lotion would help keep everything healthy.
You can still do any colors or designs you want. Because you do have little cuts and sores on your hands make sure you’re going to an experienced nail tech who knows how to deal with those sorts of things. I keep extra products to help prevent further damage to my clients, and to keep them comfortable if those little wounds hurt at all.
Happy to answer any questions.
They should be able to push your cuticles back and work with you.
If you want your nails approximately the same length, you could just get a layer of builder gel over them to keep them from breaking. Then you can get color applied over that if you would like.
There are very short gel x nail extensions if you want a small amount of length beyond your natural nail.
Even if you opt for gel-x, I would check into getting a layer of builder gel underneath first. I do my own nails so I am not sure how it works in a salon, but I always have a layer of builder gel and just file off the color or extensions. Then I fill in any new growth with builder gel. My natural nails never get the surface filed with that method, so they stay strong and healthy.
i understand why your asking but that is exactly what nail techs do! try and find some someone that does acrylic overlay or does natural manicures!! they can add product to your nail without adding length that can help them be stronger!
don’t be nervous at all you have completely run of the mill fingers hahahah. more women have rough working hands than the instagram perfect nails you see all the time.
You’re being harsh on yourself. Your nails look like a fine state to be able to get a manicure. As a manicurist in my past life, I would make no judgement at all — they look much better than most dry hands or bitten nails. You don’t appear to have true open wounds — just dried cuticles and lifted skin due to a lot of washing and possibly the cold, dry weather.
Another suggestion would be to learn to do a manicure on yourself if that makes you feel more comfortable. I personally have been doing my own nails since I was a kid, and with practice, my results are better than the salon’s. You just need a few instruments: a nail file, a stainless steel cuticle pusher, a cuticle nipper (I use Tweezerman Great Grip), and some oil (I use rosemary but even olive oil works). There are some resources on YouTube to learn how to push back and gently cut your cuticles. To keep your nails strong — do not use a buffer! It takes off the top layer of your nail and can leave lines while the nail is growing — especially if you buff too harshly. It took me years to realize even though light buffing my nails gave a smooth matte finish, they broke all the time!!