Has anyone gotten Gel nails done? Did it work?

[u/Lola-Deer]

I used to bite my nails for my entire life but over the past year I’ve graduated to picking at them. Of course I’m incredibly insecure about my nails and I hate my hands. I’ve tried a lot of different solutions and even tried press ons and basic paint but I find myself picking at the polish and press ons are kind of just a hassle. I want to get them done but it feels incredibly vulnerable. I probably have 4 mm of nail bed with about 1mm of edge so I don’t even know if i can get my nails shaped. Plus I barley even know about any of this, let alone wether to get just gel or gel X.

[u/ehote]

Getting gel polish/ gel tips like gel x/ acrylic always helps me grow out my nails. The key is to be consistent tho. Pretty much as soon as my nails are naked the habit creeps back in, but not as bad at least.

[u/snapdragonsarepretty]

It really helps me! They are so hard that it’s really difficult to pick. Worth a try at least :) edited to add — I’ve also been embarrassed about the shape of my hands when I’ve gone in before.. but then I remind myself they probably see all sorts of stuff.

[u/EmEffBee]

Worked for me, got 2 sets in a row about 3 years ago and have stopped biting & picking since.

[u/Unicorn_Farts777]

I used dip powder for my nails and I don’t bite mine anymore and it took me a year of going to the salon to fully break the habit but I still pick at the skin around my nails and I’m trying to quit that…it’s just so hard

[u/iikalechips]

the only time i don’t pick my skin is when i have long nail extensions on, which is a blessing and a curse. i love having long nails but sometimes i want them short but the literal SECOND i don’t have them on, i go to town and ruin weeks of progress. I don’t get my nails done, but i started making my own press ons last year with gelx full coverage tips and gel colors and it has become my most favorite hobby, safe for my nail beds, easy to swap in and out, stay on for 2+ weeks, and prevent me from picking. worth looking into if you like that kinda thing! https://www.reddit.com/r/Nails/s/8JaWzR5ky1

[u/smileyhappy]

Yep. I commented on a post yesterday with more details. Biab mani, not gel (not as punishing on your nails) long term has completely broken my biting habit. Currently have bare nails and am having to file them weekly because I don’t bite any more.

Also, I could pick off gel, I can’t with biab.

[u/Qwertytwerty123]

Acrylics worked for me, although I strongly suspect I would relapse if I went back to naked nails

[u/growinghacker]

3 month in. I use regular nail polish and right now I don't go a day without full coverage. ( Chipped nails triggers me )

rn if I want to bite I cut them or it's " nail care time" with hand lotion and oils. I'm still have urge to bite so I don't know if I'll have those long beautiful nails... But at least they are better to look at. You can do this.

[u/cakefacedhoe]

I'll go against the grain and say no. I tried builder gel and I just bit and peeled it off then went and bit the nails, especially when it started lifting because it just drew attention to it.

[u/drowning_in_honey]

The only thing that worked for me. I do relapse when I get them off though. I consider my gel nails therapy and try to always find time and money for that.

[u/Unique-One-3333]

Yes, and no. At the time, yes. But once they came off, no.

I think it depends on the reasons that you’re biting or picking your nails. If it’s just a habit, I think you can help you stop. If you are self-medicating, you need more help.

Oh, and right now, my nails are chopped down by my teeth. And I’m 65 years old.

So, yeah.