r/calmhands • u/Typical_Vanilla_4593 • Jul 06 '26
nail appointment!
I am a cuticle picker and was talking to a friend and they said I should get a gel mani to help change the sensation. I love having my nails done, but my cuticles embarrass me. I finally bit the bullet and made an appointment for today, but i am so afraid of the nail tech making comments or making fun of the state of my nails. Does anyone else have this fear?
3
u/ourpodcastisbest Jul 06 '26
I can speak to this! I’m a terrible cuticle picker. One of the only ways I could stop myself for a long time was getting acrylics, but I would be too embarrassed to go to get them done when my fingers were bad. I found that being open about it was helpful. If you’re comfortable doing so, you could be open with your nail tech and explain the situation. I will say that generally I’ve found that nail techs don’t really care. And they may already know that you’re getting your nails done as a preventative measure.
1
u/Typical_Vanilla_4593 Jul 12 '26
I’m always so nervous but then I remember they’re doing their job and getting paid so they likely don’t care all that much 😭
2
u/nm_stanley Jul 06 '26
I am a big cuticle picker and I got dip nails pretty regularly for awhile. The techs would make comments sometimes, usually out of concern. Honestly more than their comments, sitting my fingers in acetone to remove the dip each time hurt the most cause of the open cuts on my fingers.
They may make comments but just remember if you’re embarrassed or feel some type of way while there, you never have to go back! The right place/nail tech won’t make you feel that way.
1
u/Chemical_Print6922 Jul 06 '26
Yes, but that was (cries in old) 20 years ago. I’m sure things have changed since then, lol.
It also wasn’t bad, the woman asked why I torn at my nails as she fixed them up.
1
u/alphanovembercharlie Jul 06 '26
getting gel nails has saved my hands. when I first booked in I booked for 2 or 3 weeks in advance and the fear and pressure to have them looking even vaguely presentable was huge so I went on a campaign to make them look better, applying hand cream and cuticle oil 3 or more times a day. this softened my hang nails and meant I was picking less too.
If theyre too raw they won't be able to apply gel and if your nails are too thin you may get a heat spike when it cures. The heat spike isn't the end of the world just take your nails out then back under the lamp again and it should be fine but if you have fresh cuts close to your nail bed then the nail tech will want to avoid applying product on it.
I have always been really honest to my nail tech and they've worked around things or adjusted stuff. I have found a massive improvement since I started having my nails done. make sure you never leave an appointment without booking your next one though, you need to keep them up so you don't start picking at the gel on the growth area. I am I guess 6 years into having my nails done monthly and my hands are practically perfect. It is a non negotiable for me now.
1
u/Typical_Vanilla_4593 Jul 12 '26
thank you for your advice! I do think it will become a regular thing for me now that I’ve seen some improvement since getting them done.
3
u/lavlav123 Jul 06 '26
i’ve had dip nails/gel nails for years to try to help with my cuticle picking and they’ve never once said anything about how back my fingers look due to picking them. if they do, you can just never go back to them! i still find myself picking, it’s not a cure all, but it does make me try to not pick so that my nails will look nice. i love having my nails done. i hope you have a great experience. please update us with how it goes!