Nail extensions in Burwood.

What happens during your appointment

1. 01Length and shape agreed (round, almond, square and more).
2. 02Prep: shaping, cuticle care and a light buff.
3. 03A tip sized to each nail is bonded and shaped.
4. 04Builder gel, your colour or design, and a gel top coat, each cured under the lamp.

How long they last and removal

Extensions usually wear well for about 4 weeks. As your nail grows the balance point moves forward, so leaving them much longer makes lifting and breaks more likely.

Have extensions soaked off professionally; pulling them off tears the natural nail.

Before you come in

• ✦Come with bare nails, or tell Abby in the booking notes if you have product on.
• ✦Bring photos of the shape and length you like.
• ✦Let Abby know if any nail is damaged, sore or infected; extensions can’t go on it until it heals.

Aftercare: Abby’s steps

• ✦Wear gloves for cleaning and washing up.
• ✦Don’t use your nails as tools, and don’t pick or bite a lifted edge. Message Abby for a repair.

Gel allergy and UV lamps

Gel colour, builder gel and the gel used with nail tips all contain (meth)acrylates. The British Association of Dermatologists has warned about a rise in (meth)acrylate allergy: it can develop when uncured product touches the skin, and the risk is higher with home kits, insufficient technician training, or a lamp that doesn’t match the gel. Abby keeps product off your skin and cuticles and cures each layer with the lamp made for the gel system she uses.

Nail lamps give off UV. Cancer Council Australia says nail lamps emit low levels of radiation for short exposure times, and suggests SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen on your hands 20 minutes beforehand, or fingerless gloves, if you’re concerned. You’re welcome to bring either.

If you’ve had itching, redness, swelling or nails lifting after gel before, tell Abby before you book; she may suggest seeing your GP about patch testing before having gel again.