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Did you ever get acrylic nails? Did it hurt like hell?

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Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
So, my High School reunion is coming up, and I'm tired of chipped polish and breaking nails. And I hate when the glue on nails come off ALL the time (one popped off while My Man and I were at it the other night, I'm holding this nail in my hand, so nobody rolls over on it, trying to get over to the headboard to put it down, it was ridiculous.)

So, I went to a nail salon, to get acrylics and this nice woman TORTURED ME!! I swear, she learned some tactics from someone who must have worked in a Viet Nam Prison Camp and assaulted me with a Dremel Tool and dug under my quick with her own finger nails and I think she was getting into it. (I asked if the bikini wax they offered was really painful (before she did the nails) and she shrugged and said, "No, not too much. WHY? You want? Now?" NO!)She said it was the nail glue from the store bought nails that caused the pain.

My nails were in shitty condition. But, I had NO idea it would be so painful. I actually put Lanicane on my fingertips last night before bed. I also woke up at 3:00 in the morn, in pain and had to get some Lanicane and take a pain killer. It was horrible. I'm not baby when it comes to pain, but this was almost unbearable. It was yesterday and they are still sore, but not as bad as last night.

Is it supposed to hurt like Death??
10/09/2010
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Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
I've had acrylics a few times but I've never had pain like that. A little discomfort around the cuticles, yes, but genuine pain? Never.

So I'm going to say that's unusual, at least based on my experiences.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
I've never heard such an awful telling before.

Maybe she didn't know what she was doing... wtf..
10/09/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
Yeah, I've had acrylics before and they didn't hurt at all :\ She clearly wasn't doing something right.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Not here Not here
I've only gotten acrylics twice, at the same somewhat cheap place in the mall. While it hurt when they pushed my cuticles back with their talons, (I was totally grossed out, too!) and it was a bit sore around the cuticles at first, I never experienced any serious pain.

Perhaps the woman had no idea what she was doing, or maybe you unknowingly went to a not-so-reputable salon?

Hope your pain goes away, P'Gell!
10/09/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Soak your hands in Epsom salts. I know nothing about acrylic nails, but it felt great when I ripped off a real nail accidentally once.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
It's been awhile since I've gotten mine done but I know it definitely didn't feel like that! I never would have gone back if it was that horrible. Yikes.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
I used to get them when I was younger and most of the time, it was mild, save for the cuticle pushing. There were a few times when I would have someone that was not gentle to begin with that would go to to work with that grindy dremel thing and YES it bruised the hell out of my fingers and hurt for the first couple of days. I rarely get so much as a manicure anymore, I stick to doing them myself
10/09/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
So, my High School reunion is coming up, and I'm tired of chipped polish and breaking nails. And I hate when the glue on nails come off ALL the time (one popped off while My Man and I were at it the other night, I'm holding this nail in my ... more
It shouldn't have hurt THAT bad. It isn't painless though. I usually get gel instead of acrylic, but I used to do it often. Some places are more skilled that other because they have different tools and equipment. But...I would not go back there lol...or at least request a different woman next time.
10/09/2010
Contributor: TitsMcScandal TitsMcScandal
Yoowah, that doesn't sound very good. I know that if any of the times I've gotten them it hurt that bad I'd have never gone back!!! I've only gotten them for special occasions like weddings and such though. Usually I don't mind just a normal manicure.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Danielle1220 Danielle1220
WOW! Definitely shouldn't have hurt that bad. I have had acrylics MANY times and it was always a pleasant experience. My husband always has enjoyed them too (he likes it when I scratch his back with them)
10/09/2010
Contributor: beautifulpierced beautifulpierced
That is crazy. My mother has always gotten acrylics since I can remember, she started letting me get mind done in like 8th grade. I love it, Never hurt for me unless I get an inexperienced person doing it and they can burn when they use the dremel sander thingy but other than that I love getting my nails done I still do it to this day every two weeks. i tried gels and i don't like them what so ever, in order to change the color of the gels you have to have a whole new set put on which around here costs 50 a set.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
As a former salon receptionist, I advise you to inform the salon manager of what you had gone through. Reputable salons will take your complaint seriously because about 90% of all salon revenue comes from repeat customers - and how can you get repeat customers if they don't treat them right?
10/09/2010
Contributor: Alicia Alicia
I've had mine actually ache from it for a day or two. One reason it always hurts me is when they use that remmel drill thing to sand down the nails, it's way too harsh on my nails and it also leaves a burning sensation because of all the little particles.

Also, the actual nails and glue is usually really tight which causes me an almost bruised feeling for a day or two.

I have never had luck with any of the nail salon chains, the one where that is strictly all they do? Those have always used the drill sander thing on me and that is what hurts. I find better luck with an actual salon where they use a regular nail file to file them down...but that costs more and so I usually just paint my natural nails.
10/09/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I would say it's likely because of the damage already done to your nails from the glue ons. She should NOT have applied acrylics over damaged nails or worked them down so thin to get the glue residue off your natural nails. I suspect they hurt because the nail beds have been thinned too much. A good nail tech will tell you to grow your nails for at least a month after removing glue ons and before putting on acrylic, silk or gel nails.

I would definitely call and let them know how much pain it has caused you, if for no other reason than that hopefully they'll be more sensible with the next person, choosing safety and comfort of the customer over a few bucks!
10/09/2010
Contributor: lamira lamira
I've gotten acrylic nails before and it did not hurt. But I hate fake nails, I feel so uncomfortable and don't know how to function with my hands. Never again.
10/10/2010
Contributor: Alegria Alegria
Goodness, it should not hurt that much. It shouldn't hurt anywhere near that much. I'm sorry you had to go through all this! Clearly something is wrong and I have a suspicion Carrie Ann may be right. I hope the pain goes away soon though!
10/10/2010
Contributor: Hot'n'Bothered Hot'n'Bothered
No it's not suppose to hurt that bad. But if you get someone who doesn't know what their doing, it can.

I had mine done for my wedding, and man....never again. To save time we all went in and got our nails done about a month prior...and then right before the wedding went and had them refilled/painted.

My fingers hurt for at least a week after getting them done initially. So I was very glad I got them done so far in advance....I was scared spitless to get them refilled though.
10/10/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Never ever had nails done before (just painted and that's been it) and now I'm scared to even do so. >_>; I can't really have nails with my job anyway, so no biggie on my end. (I can't clean or make beds with nails, I tried with long natural nails and they got ripped off.)
10/10/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I would say it's likely because of the damage already done to your nails from the glue ons. She should NOT have applied acrylics over damaged nails or worked them down so thin to get the glue residue off your natural nails. I suspect they hurt ... more
Very good point. I also would not get more for at least a month. Leave your nails bare. That's how long it takes to repair nail beds. I get gel nails three months in a row and then I take off for three.
10/10/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I would say it's likely because of the damage already done to your nails from the glue ons. She should NOT have applied acrylics over damaged nails or worked them down so thin to get the glue residue off your natural nails. I suspect they hurt ... more
Thank you all for your input! Carrie Ann, I think you are right, I know nothing about these, as I have never gotten them before. She did comment that my nails were damaged, but went ahead and did them anyway. Most of the pain came from the initial grinding, and then when she pushed the wraps under what was left of my paper thin nail tips.

Chili, I would go to the manager, but it was a family run business (that was one of the reasons I chose it) and it is only this woman who did my nails and her husband. She's the manager and the owner.

I will definitely go somewhere with references next time. One of my dd's has hers done, at an other salon at the mall and has said it stings a little afterward, but she didn't believe I could be in as much pain as I said. She thought I was just trying to be funny. (OK, I added a "I'm surprised she didn't put me into a Tiger Cage in the river while she was ramming her nails under my nail beds.") But, next time I will definitely go somewhere else. While I was in that booth, where they cure the nails under UV light, a woman came in and told the guy to just Dremel her acrylics down because "I can't go through that pain of having them removed again." and I'm thinking "This is one of those horribly painful thing some women just go through on a regular basis?") This salon is NOT going to be used by be again.

She SHOULD have refused to do them with the damage, like Carrie Ann said. She wanted the business, I know that. The place was FULL of women, and they knew most of them by name. It was probably a mix of the damage on my nails and her being in a hurry and probably her refusing to tell me my nails were too damaged to put acrylics on.

I'll know better next time. I still have broken skin on one cuticle and I'm sitting here thinking "OMG, Hepatitis!" (Did I mention my Nursing training makes me wary of germs ALL the time? Or maybe it's my OCD.)

I'm going somewhere else next time.

Lauren, did you like the Gel Nails? I saw ads for these, but they were more expensive and I had no idea what they were.

Ladies, thank you all so much for your help.

Live and learn......and ask your friends for help.

BTW, the Reunion was a blast! The pain was pretty much gone by then, and My Man and I had a good time. Luckily, he knew a lot of the people, having gone to the same HS, but ahead of me. We stayed in the hotel, in a wonderful King Size bed and had a wonderful evening.
10/11/2010
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
Quote:
Originally posted by Alicia
I've had mine actually ache from it for a day or two. One reason it always hurts me is when they use that remmel drill thing to sand down the nails, it's way too harsh on my nails and it also leaves a burning sensation because of all the ... more
I get the same bruising feeling after from the tightness.The tips are more rounded than my nail beds.

I also have thin nails and I have learned from experience to ask them to be careful because of this. That helps.

The first time is usually the worst. after that it is fine.

I am glad you had fun P'Gell
10/11/2010
Contributor: SydVicious SydVicious
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I would say it's likely because of the damage already done to your nails from the glue ons. She should NOT have applied acrylics over damaged nails or worked them down so thin to get the glue residue off your natural nails. I suspect they hurt ... more
Carrie Ann is right. I am not a nail tech, but I am a licensed cosmetologist and I do have some nail training. When the nail bed gets filed down so thin and then they apply the dehydrator is hurts like hell.

On a normal basis Acrylic applications should have only mild discomfort.
10/13/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by SydVicious
Carrie Ann is right. I am not a nail tech, but I am a licensed cosmetologist and I do have some nail training. When the nail bed gets filed down so thin and then they apply the dehydrator is hurts like hell.

On a normal basis Acrylic ... more
Is it horrible to admit those are some of my favorite words ever? "Carrie Ann is right..."

If only I heard that more often! LOLOL
10/14/2010
Contributor: Madeira Madeira
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
So, my High School reunion is coming up, and I'm tired of chipped polish and breaking nails. And I hate when the glue on nails come off ALL the time (one popped off while My Man and I were at it the other night, I'm holding this nail in my ... more
It generally doesn't, I mean it hurts a little, but it's not a terrible process generally.
10/14/2010