Stupid Questions (there's no such thing): Nails

No, nails do not breathe. The part you can see is made of keratin, and the living part that grows new nail gets its oxygen and nutrients from your blood supply, so gel and acrylics never stop it doing its job.

A break is a personal choice. If your nails look and feel healthy and your products are applied and removed professionally, you can go straight into a fresh set. If they feel thin, bendy or sore, a short rest with cuticle oil and a shorter length helps, or your nail tech can suggest a lighter, supportive overlay while they grow out.

No, acrylics themselves are not the problem. Nails stay healthy under acrylics when they are prepared gently, kept balanced with regular infills and removed by a professional.

Most damage comes from heavy filing during prep or removal, or from prising and peeling a set off at home, which takes layers of natural nail with it. Long or neglected sets can also act like a lever and lift the nail away from its bed. Book your infills on time, ask your nail tech to remove your set when you are ready, and use cuticle oil daily to keep everything flexible and strong.

Gel polish is a thin, glossy colour that sets hard under a lamp and usually lasts two to three weeks. Builder gel is a thicker gel that adds strength and structure, so it suits growing your natural nails or creating a short extension.

Acrylic is a liquid and powder mixed into a bead that hardens in the air with no lamp needed. It is very strong and is often used for longer extensions. Dip is a coloured powder layered onto the nail with a liquid that sets it, again without a lamp. Your nail tech can help you choose the one that suits your nails and lifestyle.

Yes, it is best to leave it. Gel bonds tightly to the top of your nail, so when you peel it away, it lifts off fine layers of your natural nail too. That leaves nails thin, rough and more likely to split, and it can even trigger those little white marks.

If an edge starts lifting, pop a little cuticle oil on it, resist the fiddle and book a removal with your nail tech. A professional removal takes the product off and leaves your own nails smooth and ready for whatever comes next.

Current evidence suggests the risk from nail lamps is low. The dose of UV from a gel manicure is small and far lower than a sunbed, though UV exposure does add up over a lifetime.

If you have gel regularly, have very fair skin or have had skin cancer before, it makes sense to protect your hands. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen to the backs of your hands before your appointment, or wear fingerless gloves that leave just your nails exposed. LED lamps also give off UV, so the same tips apply. If anything about your skin worries you, speak to your GP or doctor.

No, not when it is done with skill. Many nail techs now use an electric file to remove the colour and top layers, then leave a thin layer of base on the nail. The file never needs to touch your natural nail, so your nail plate stays intact.

Soaking off is a lovely gentle option too, especially if you are having a rest from gel. Either way, the key is a trained professional who removes product carefully. If your nails ever feel hot, sore or thin after a removal, mention it to your nail tech so they can adjust their approach.

A gel manicure usually lasts around two to three weeks. Lots of things affect that, including how strong and flexible your natural nails are, how fast they grow and how much you use your hands.

Chipping after a week can happen, particularly with thin or bendy nails, or if your hands spend a lot of time in water or cleaning products. Let your nail tech know. They might change your prep, suggest a stronger base or builder gel, or reshape your nails slightly. Gloves for chores and a little cuticle oil every day go a long way too.

Lifting usually comes down to how well the gel can grip your nail. Natural oils, dead skin left on the nail, product sitting too close to the skin, or gel applied too thickly or thinly can all loosen the bond.

Your own nails play a part too. Oily, very dry or very flexible nails can be trickier to hold on to, and lots of water, cleaning products or using nails as tools add extra stress. Tell your nail tech when and where it lifts, as that helps them tailor your prep. At home, use cuticle oil daily and wear gloves for chores.

Pushed back, please. The living skin at the base of your nail acts as a seal that keeps germs out, so it is best left in place.

During a manicure, your nail tech will soften the area, gently push the skin back and remove the thin layer of dead skin stuck to the nail plate, which helps products grip and gives a neat finish. Hangnails can be snipped neatly too. Manicure styles vary around the world, so if you are unsure what is included, just ask. At home, daily cuticle oil keeps everything soft and tidy.

Almost certainly not. Those little white spots are usually caused by small knocks to the base of the nail, often ones you never even noticed. Picking off gel or heavy buffing can cause them too.

Because the damage happened where the nail forms, the spot appears days or weeks later and simply grows out with the nail. Occasionally they can come from a reaction to a product or a fungal infection. If your nails change colour completely, the spots keep spreading, or you feel unwell or tired, it is worth a chat with your GP, doctor or pharmacist.

If your nails are healthy, you do not need to wait at all. A professional can remove your old set and apply a new one in the same appointment.

If your nails feel thin, peeling or tender after removal, give them some time. Keep them short, use cuticle oil every day and let new growth come through. A week or two often makes a real difference for minor wear. Your nail tech can also suggest a light, protective overlay so your nails are supported while they recover. They will happily look at your nails and tell you what they think.

An infill is a maintenance appointment. As your natural nails grow, a gap appears at the base. Your nail tech files back the existing product, fills that gap and rebalances the shape, so your nails look fresh again and stay strong.

Infills are usually every two to three weeks for acrylic and builder gel. They are quicker and often cheaper than a full set. A new set is the way to go if you fancy a big change in length or shape, if lots of nails have lifted or broken, or simply when your nail tech recommends a fresh start.

No, it is better to shave at least a day or two before. Shaving leaves tiny nicks in the skin that you cannot see, and these can let germs in while your feet and legs soak.

So if you are planning a pedicure, shave a couple of days ahead or simply leave your legs as they are. Your nail tech is there for your feet and has seen every kind of leg imaginable. Nobody will notice or mind, promise. Arrive as you are and enjoy the pampering.

Start with a photo. A picture of nails you love says more than any technical word, so save a few before your appointment.

Then think about three things: shape (such as round, square, oval or almond), length (keep your own, go shorter or add extensions) and finish (colour, French tips, nail art or a natural look). Mention how you use your hands day to day, because that helps your nail tech suggest the product that will last best for you. If you are unsure about anything, simply say so. Talking it through is part of the service.

It is best to keep normal polish and gel separate. Normal polish takes many hours to dry fully underneath, so sealing it under a gel top coat can make it wrinkle, shrink and peel. Painted over a gel base, normal polish does not bond well and tends to flake off within a few days.

You can paint normal polish over a finished, fully cured gel manicure if you fancy a quick colour change. Use a gentle remover afterwards, and your gel underneath stays in place. For a long lasting result, stick with a full gel system from base to top coat.

Yes, absolutely. Pedicures are made for feet that need a little love, and your nail tech has seen every kind of foot imaginable. Hard skin, cracked heels and untidy toenails are all part of an ordinary day for them.

Many clients apologise for their feet when they book, and most leave wondering why they waited so long. If you have something that might be an infection, such as a verruca or a changed toenail, your nail tech may suggest getting it checked by a podiatrist, doctor or pharmacist first. That is to keep everyone well, and there is nothing to feel shy about.

Yes, you can. Light touch is what usually sets ticklish feet off, so firmer, steadier pressure tends to feel much more comfortable.

Tell your nail tech when you arrive. They can hold your foot securely, use slower and firmer movements, and let you know before they move to a new area. If the foot massage part is too much, they can keep it short, focus on your lower legs or skip it altogether. You will still leave with soft feet and beautiful toes, and if a giggle escapes, your nail tech has heard plenty before.

No, sunshine is not a reliable way to cure gel. Gel is designed to set under a lamp with a specific type and strength of light, held close to the nail for a set time. Sunlight is far too patchy and changeable to do that properly.

Gel that is not fully cured can stay soft underneath, lift early and, over time, cause skin reactions. So the lamp is the way to go, every time. Your nail tech uses a lamp that is matched to their products, which gives a strong, glossy finish that lasts.

Not at all, though timing helps. During a manicure, your nail tech needs your hands still and flat, especially while each coat goes on and goes under the lamp, so scrolling works best during the gaps.

A pedicure is the perfect time to catch up on messages or read, as your hands are free. If you need to take an important call, just say so, and your nail tech will happily pause. A quick heads up keeps things relaxed for you both.

Yes, you can. Plenty of clients love a natter, and plenty prefer to sit quietly and switch off. Both are perfectly normal, and a good nail tech wants your appointment to feel relaxing for you.

Mention it when you book or when you sit down, with something simple like "I'd love a quiet one today, if that's OK." Some salons even offer quiet appointments or ask about your preferences when you book. Your nail tech will still check in about shape, colour and comfort, and then you can relax.

It is best not to. Superglue is made for household repairs, not for skin or nails, so it can irritate the skin, leave nails dry and brittle, and be very tricky to remove.

If a nail breaks, file any sharp edge smooth and cover it with a small piece of tape or a plaster to stop it catching. Proper nail glue from a beauty supplier works as a quick fix until you can get to the salon. Then book in with your nail tech, who can repair the nail neatly and keep it strong.