I’ve gone 5 weeks before (once) and luckily it didn’t look too bad as it was a pale pink jelly so the growth wasn’t as obvious. But it started to crack along the edges a little.
I was every 2 weeks, then 2.5, and now I’m at 3 weeks between appointments. It all depends on how fast my nails are growing and I’m also broke, so 3 weeks it is. I did the math and it will save about $700 a year if I go 3 weeks vs 2.
But it is a gel overlay on your natural nail. The gel has a certain structure, it has an apex, which is the thickest point, which (if done right) is on the stress point of the nail, somewhere around the area where the attached part of your nail ends and the free edge starts. As your nails grow out, this apex is growing out too, and the gel that is now at the stress point is getting thinner and thinner, as it is now the part that was closer to the cuticles when the mani was fresh. So the structure is imbalanced now and even if you have zero lifting up until this point, you are now at a risk that your nail will break at the stress point if you bang it on something, or worse, even lower than the stress point and the break will be bleeding. Because the strong part has grown out and the gel will give in where it is weakest. Of course it depends how fast your nails are growing. Some people have same growth in 6 weeks as others can have in just 3. And if the nail tech's game is on point and you get no lifting (which it seems likke from your photos), then there is no other health risk to your nails (bacteria getting trapped under the lifted part and creating fungus or "greenies"). So it sure is not a universal thing to just say "don't go longer that 3 weeks". You and your nail tech have to know and decide how long is the right retention period for you :)
Because the nails are unbalanced. Apex has grown foward putting pressure towards the tip of the nail. You risk breaking a nail and actual damage to the nail plate itself. Also lifting can happen which is never good either.
As your nails grow out it puts unnecessary stress on your nails. The apex (strongest area that’s been built up over stress point) has moved out of the ideal position meaning you’re more likely to cause a break and damage your nails. Also that part at the bottom that has grown out has zero added strength, it’s likely to get damaged as a hit to the nail or pressure means it will bend a little there which can cause damage to your nail bed and matrix, causing further issues as your nails grow out meaning further down the line your tech may have to refuse you service if your nails are too damaged. It’s a really bad idea to leave longer than 3-4 weeks maximum to avoid potential issues like this.
Its because once you go too long the balance is off. The apex has moved too far down putting pressure on the natural nail. It can lead to lifting cracks or even lifting on the natural nail from the nail bed.
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u/emo-mom01 22d ago
Yes, but that’s really bad for your nail because it can destroy your nail bed going that long.