“Will Shellac Ruin my Nails?” and other Shellac FAQs

Are all gel hybrid polishes the same?
CND was the first company to create a true gel/polish hybrid with their Shellac Power Polish.  Shortly after, other gel polishes followed from different brands (OPI Axxium, Gelish, Gelluv, etc…)  Like we call all brands of tissues “Kleenx” whether they are puffs, generic, or actually from Kleenx, some salons and nail patrons have (unfortunately) taken to calling any kind of gel nail “Shellac.” 

What makes True CND Shellac unique is that it is a power polish, not a gel.  While we recommend salon removal, it does not require harsh buffing of the nails to file off the polish.  CND’s gentle removal soak will dissolve the polish when wrapped on the nails for just 8 minutes, making it so you or your nail technician can gently push off the polish and your nails will be healthy afterward.

When clients come in with an imitation brand of Shellac or gel nails, the removal can be difficult, time-consuming, and can damage your nails as we are not equipped to remove the harsher products since we do not use them.

Can I pick my Shellac off?  How can I safely remove it?
If you pick off your Shellac, your nails will peel as the Shellac has adhered to your nail, there is no other way around it.  If you follow the instructions and wrap your nails in cotton and foil with the CND Removal solution, then gently push off the polish, you’ll have no damage.  We recommend having this done professional at least once, then your nail tech can tell you what you need to safely remove your product at home in the future.


Cassie’s nails right after safe Shellac Removal, but before a manicure.

Will the lamp used to cure Shellac cause cancer?
No, you get less UV exposure from our nail lamp than you do steering your car. Exposure time is minimal, just 10 seconds for the first coat, 2 minutes for each additional coat. Click here to read more about studies done about the UV lamps used for nails.  If you are still concerned, you are welcome to apply sunscreen to your hands prior to curing.

Why do you have to know before my appointment if I want Shellac? Why does it cost extra?
Because Shellac requires about 15 additional minutes (curing time and very precise application), we need to make sure we have enough time set aside.  The additional service time plus a product that, for a smaller bottle costs us nearly 4x as much as our regular polish necessitates the additional charge.

I feel like I need to let my nails “breathe.”
If you follow your nail technician’s recommendation and apply solar oil daily, it will hydrate your cuticle and nail around and through the Shellac, it is designed to penetrate the pores in the polish.  Nail (the hardened part we polish) don’t need to “breathe” because they are not living tissue.  Dryness or damage comes from using polishes with harsh chemicals (which we don’t) or not hydrating with a cuticle oil daily. 

Should I do Shellac on my toes?
You certainly can…but truth be told, most people just use CND’s Vinylux, a traditional polish that doesn’t require a lamp to cure, is in shades matching Shellac, and dries in 10 minutes.  Most clients find that they get several weeks of good wear with Vinylux on their toes, and it doesn’t require removal wraps.  Some people (Cassie included!) think the removal wraps feel weird on the toes.  Plus, with Shellac, you get your nail care and polish done first, then your soak, scrub, and massage after (we can’t let the nail expand from the soak prior to using Shellac or it will peel).  If you’ve had a long day on your feet, chances are, you’d prefer a nice soak, scrub, and massage (The GOOD stuff!) before your polish.

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Poison ivy? Please reschedule your spa visit.

“Leaves of Three, Let them Be!”


As a massage therapist and spa owner, I have to tell you that one of my biggest fears is contagious skin conditions, which is why we take extra precautions.  Something that drives us nuts is when a client comes in trying to hide poison ivy or casually doesn’t mention it until we undrape the affected area hoping if we don’t notice their rash, they can still get their service.  I can personally recall at least two clients who have tried to downplay their poison ivy, one stating “Oh, you can go ahead and massage right over it, I think the lotion will feel good.”  No, thank you!

Fortunately, we can quickly spot a rash and end treatment.  What is scary though, is that in many cases, a rash won’t appear for up to 72 hours after exposure to poison ivy, which means that a person may still have contagious oil from the plant on their skin, but it might not be visible to them or others. 

If you get a massage, facial, or nail service and have oil from a poison ivy plant on your skin, we could not only be spreading the oil to our own skin and onto a larger area of your skin, but even after washing with regular soap and water, we could still  potentially spread that oil to other guests as poison ivy requires the use of a special soap to remove the oil.

If you suspect that you have come into contact with poison ivy, even if you don’t yet have a visible rash, we ask that you play it safe and reschedule your appointment.  As long as you give us at least some notice so we can try to fill your appointment time we’ll happily waive the no-show fee in appreciation of you helping us to keep you, your therapist, and other spa guests safe!

For a really good article on avoiding and treating poison ivy, click here.  We hope you all have lots of fun outdoors this season and don’t stumble into anything scary or itchy during your gardening, camping, or other outdoor adventures!

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May 2014 Staff Product Picks

We’re excited to announce our May 2014 Staff Product Picks!  Each of these staff favorites will be 10% off for the entire month of May!
MayStaffPicks

Katie’s Pick

Derma E Age Defying Day Cream with SPF 15

Katie loves that this moisturizer is very hydrating and now that she’s outside more, she likes the light SPF protection too.

 

Justin’s Pick

Tiger Balm Products

Justin likes that this warming product really works!  He uses the salve during Sports Massages and uses it personally for his post workout pain.  He also likes how easy the patches are to use.

 

Cassie’s Pick

Pure Inventions Drink Mixes

Cassie likes this calorie-free alternative to high sugar cocktails and mixers for a light summer drink.  Mix it with sparkling water and serve over ice or try a dropper full of Blueberry (her favorite!) in a glass of champagne for a fun patio cocktail.  One of our clients said it works great with her soda stream!

 

Tiffany’s Pick

Farmhouse Fresh Agave Nectar

Tiffany loves this light hydrating oil.  It is perfect for moisturizing in the summer, right after the shower.  She picked it for the subtle, sweet fragrance of the Agave Nectar.

 

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Which kind of massage should I book?

We offer lots of different types of massage, add to that, we have 9 different licensed massage therapists on our team with lots of different techniques they could incorporate into our various massage menu options, so really, even if you booked a massage a week, I don’t think you’d be able to try all of the possible combinations!

This is great because what you need one visit not be what you need every visit.  The therapist that seemed the best match for your shoulder pain might not be the best fit for your prenatal massages a year later. 

We’ve come up with a quick, fun quiz to help you find out which of our massages would be the best option for you to try.  I’m excited to hear your results…and whether or not you think it is accurate!

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Copyright © East Village Spa 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without East Village Spa’s express consent. Our photography may not be used in any manner without our express written consent. Backlinks and sharing with the buttons at the bottom of the page are allowed.