CND

Shellac Attack blog

October 3rd, 2010 - 3:47 pm

Q&A #5 Why are there white spots on the natural nail?

Q: Why am I seeing white spots on the nails after removal of Shellac?

A: White spots on the nail after removal of Shellac is typically due to slight dehydration of the nails.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Clients should be using Solar Oil daily and repeatedly. This will help moisturize their natural nails and keep their natural flexibility. It will also help maintain the natural flexible feeling of Shellac.
  • Minimize exposure of acetone by using Shellac Wraps. Soaking the nails and fingertips in a bowl of acetone is excessive exposure to acetone.
  • Apply Shellac base coat thin. The thicker you use it the longer it will take to remove.
  • If your clients natural nails are overly dry, try a warm Solar Oil soak. Use an oil warmer or place small bowl of Solar Oil in a larger bowl of warm water.Put just enough Solar oil to cover the tips of the fingers. Soak for 5 min after application of Shellac
  • When dry spots are found on natural nail after Shellac removal, apply SolarOil and buff with 1200 grit buffer such as CND Koala Buffer.  In mild cases, Shellac can then be reapplied.  In more severe cases, the client should take a break from wearing Shellac for a few weeks.
  • To remove any residual Shellac use an orangewood stick to gently scrape the nail. Do not use metal or hard plastic. Improper scraping may cause damage to the top layer of natural nail, thus making the nails more prone to dehydration.
  • Immediately after Shellac removal, wash the client’s hand with plenty of water using mild soap. Strong soap or detergents are also sources of dehydration.
  • Do not buff the natural nail prior to application.  The top layer of the natural nail is normally more dense or less porous than the other layers and acts as a protecting layer, preventing solvents from penetrating the natural nail and causing excess dehydration.

332 Responses to “Q&A #5 Why are there white spots on the natural nail?”

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  1. rachel says:

    September 27th, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    I have been using Shellac in my salon for a few months now and I really love it.. I have noticed my own nail beds and also my customers have a yellow tinge. I wanted to keep my nails natural after taking my Shellac off but was unable to due to the horible yellow tinge on my nails.Is there anyway to get this off? My nails look like I’ve been smoking 40 a day! It’s not products I’ve been using either and it’s getting worse as the months go on.

    • CND says:

      October 1st, 2011 at 10:14 am

      The tiny tunnels in Shellac that make it easy to remove can also be susceptible to some things like bronzers, certain make-ups, etc. Those that notice staining on the nail plate are using something that penetrates the tiny tunnels and stains the nail, here is a video explaining the tiny tunnels:
      http://youtu.be/WoE-ew_S1I0

      Thank You,
      CND

  2. Bernie says:

    September 28th, 2011 at 10:32 am

    I am a Shellac client since June and at the last removal I had the white spots. I was never offered the Solar Oil by the nail technician. She also soaks my nails in a bowl for removal. When I aksed her about it she told me there was no difference between the wraps and the bowl. She does some scrapping with a metal tool to removal the Shellac because it just will not come off and then she buffs my nail to remove any residue left of the Shellac. Why is it so hard for her to remove the Shellac. Now I am concerned she is damaging my nails. The salon is reputable and listed as a Shellac provider on CND’s site. What should I being doing to get my nails back into shape. Where can the Solar Oil be purchased? I love Shellac and my nails actually have grown and have less breakage. Thank you for your help.

    • CND says:

      October 1st, 2011 at 10:16 am

      The white spots tend to be from one of the following:
      -Removing the Shellac by soaking in a bowl
      -Buffing the nails
      -Peeling the Shellac off
      -Not using Solar Oil daily

      Please feel free to report a salon not following the proper protocol by calling 800-833-6245

      Solar Oil can be purchased in salons or on some websites such as http://www.goindulge.com

      Thank You,
      CND

  3. Jennifer says:

    October 13th, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    I use Solar oil daily,but my tips are wearing by the 3rd day. What can the tech be doing wrong? She does buff,but with a very fine buffer.

    • CND says:

      October 30th, 2011 at 8:41 am

      The nails do not need to be buffed before Shellac, Make sure to wear gloves when doing dishes or housework. Be sure to troubleshoot with your nail professional.

      Thank You,
      CND

  4. Tina says:

    December 1st, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    I’ve been using Shellac since it first came out. I’ve noticed some of the colors wrinkle up even with thin layer. How do I thin out the Shellac? Is there a gel thinner? Like nail polish thinner. Thank you for your help.

  5. Kathy says:

    December 6th, 2011 at 10:14 am

    I provide my clients with a trial size Solar Oil and refill if needed. We should educate our clients as well as ourselves.

  6. Kathy says:

    December 11th, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Will applying solor oil to shellac before applying makeup or bronzers prevent makeup from absorbing into tunnels?

    • Holly L Schippers says:

      December 22nd, 2011 at 10:55 am

      It is possible that it could. The best option would be to use brushes for make up application, that is best for the skin on the face as well!

      Holly L Schippers
      CND Education Ambassador

  7. Kim says:

    December 15th, 2011 at 10:08 am

    I noticed when I removed Shellac on a client that there were purple stains on her nail from the color. There was clearly no polish left on the nail. I am wondering what would cause this? Could it be that the salon where she had it applied did not use a base coat? Would that cause staining?

    • CND says:

      January 5th, 2012 at 10:20 am

      If the natural nails are being stained it is likely that there is something traveling through the tiny tunnels in Shellac and staining the nails. Common culprits have been household cleaners, make-up, and bronzers.

      Here is a video that explains the tiny tunnels:
      http://youtu.be/WoE-ew_S1I0

      Thank You,
      CND

  8. nancy wilkins says:

    December 16th, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    2 things i need to ask.

    first I brought 2 bottles of base coat and stored them in a place not to cold and not to hot. But those bottles have a yellow color to them are they OK to use. And second one of my clients saw a show about cancer and the UV brisa light what can i tell her. P.S. she wears tanning lotion before she comes in thats what the show said to do.

  9. kim says:

    January 14th, 2012 at 11:15 pm

    I bought the base, top coat and colors of gel polish from CND. Now they look like thicker & hard to use. How to make them thinner, so I can use it easier

    • CND says:

      January 25th, 2012 at 5:56 pm

      Keep the lids on tight, store at room temperature, and shake 20-30 seconds before each use.

      Thank You,
      CND

  10. Kathy says:

    January 16th, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    Does it have to be the solar oil or can it be any oil?

    • CND says:

      January 25th, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      Solar Oil is recommended as it will penetrate nail coatings and condition the nail itself!

      Thank You,
      CND

  11. sarah says:

    January 31st, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    I have been using shellac for over a year and it is about 85% of my clients. I use the wraps then remove with orange wood stick and was taught to light buff the nail to remove the clear residue left on the nail.is that wrong? I don’t have them wash there hand before applying cause I don’t want the oil left from the soap on there nails.I have notice the tips of there nails are peeling.what is that from? I do tell my client to use solar oil on a daily base.is it damaging there nails?they seem weak and are repeat users

    • CND says:

      February 6th, 2012 at 11:03 am

      It is not recommended to buff continually, only when absolutely necessary. Repeated buffing can thin the nail and lead to peeling. If you constantly have remnants when removing, be sure the wraps are tight, the acetone is pure, and that you have waited the full 10 minutes for removal.

      Thank You,
      CND

  12. Kathy M says:

    February 2nd, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    My mom wore Shellac for about 8 months straight and decided to quit using for awhile. Her nails are now very weak and keep tearing. She lives in another state so I am not sure if the nail tech applied properly or not. Anyone else have weak nails after wearing Shellac?
    Her nails were very good before she started wearing.

    • CND says:

      February 6th, 2012 at 11:04 am

      Weakened nails can be caused by improper application or improper removal of any nail coating.

      Thank You,
      CND

  13. Sue says:

    February 6th, 2012 at 8:44 am

    I am just learning about Shellac and am wondering if you could apply tips before putting on shellac

    • CND says:

      February 6th, 2012 at 11:05 am

      Shellac does not add strength so if applied over tips there would need to be an enhancement in place to give strength to the added length.

      Thank You,
      CND

  14. Katie says:

    February 17th, 2012 at 10:19 am

    I am just getting started using Shellac and was wondering what wattage of lamp works best.

    • CND says:

      March 8th, 2012 at 5:49 am

      The lamp that is guaranteed to work and achieve the proper cure is the Brisa UV lamp or the CND UV Lamp.

      Thank you,
      CND

  15. Barbara says:

    February 29th, 2012 at 3:49 am

    I have been using Shellac off and on for almost a year. I, too, noticed the dry spots but my nail tech told me how important it was to use my Solar Oil. So now I have a nightly routine: oil up my nails, rub on lots of hand lotion, then pull on a pair of cotton gloves and leave them on for about 30 minutes. Yesterday during my Shellac mani, I noticed the white spots (dryness) was gone.

  16. Desireah says:

    March 23rd, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    I’m a nail tech & have been using shellac since it’s been on the market…I love it because its helped my natural nails to grow! I used to wear acrylics for length & now have long natural nails, yay! However today I removed the shellac & for the 1st time ever my nails are sensitive & hurt when I press on them? It’s like the feeling after u get a set of acrylics put on & they’ve drilled on your nails….very strange? Do I need to take a break from shellac considering I Always keep it on my nails!? But if I don’t put shellac back on my nails tend to chip & break that’s why I always keep it on, plus it looks great! Please help :-(

    • CND says:

      March 26th, 2012 at 8:39 am

      Make sure not to buff the nails when applying or removing Shellac and that it is not being removed by soaking in a bowl. Wait the full 10 minutes when wrapping to get the easiest removal as well.

      Thank you,
      CND

  17. Brenda Johnson says:

    April 7th, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Glad to hear some techs are using oil and telling their clients. Educate yourselves it is for your profession, and mine as well. I can’t tell you how many clients have come in and said the tech. they went to before me didn’t tell the the home care they needed. Very disappointing it makes Shellac and us look bad. I have also been promoting Shellac to my acrylic customers they love it.

  18. Denise says:

    April 14th, 2012 at 5:14 am

    I went into a salon the other day and the technicians had shellac polish in dishes of hot water. I asked why and she said as it goes think near the end of the bottle. I left as I believed this would compromise the shellac system. Am I correct?

    • CND says:

      April 17th, 2012 at 12:05 pm

      Shellac is best used un-heated by an outside source. If the salon is cold body heat can be used to bring the Shellac up to room temperature. By using an outside source to heat the Shellac, it will thicken more rapidly as it loses more solvents when opened.

      Thank you,
      CND

  19. Nancy says:

    April 14th, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I tend to have weak nails — after years of acrylics, then gels, Shellac seemed great! Used it for about a year in CA, then moved to IA — tech here seemed to use same exact technique, & I use Solar Oil regularly, but nails developed serious white spots, split, peeled, etc., so I quit & have been “resting.” It must be acetone causing damage! Does anything else remove Shellac?? Or must I just suffer with lousy nails? Thanks for any info!!

    • CND says:

      April 17th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

      The acetone should not be causing damage if used properly. The nails need to be wrapped and not soaked in a bowl. No buffing is need to apply or remove Shellac. When you say Solar Oil is being used make sure that means 2-3 times a day. I am the Education Ambassador in Iowa and know that there are a lot of well trained salon professionals here!

      Hope that helps!
      Holly L Schippers
      CND Education Ambassador

  20. JOEQUETTA KENNEDY says:

    April 18th, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    After removing Shellac and finding the white spots was scary for me. I followed your advice of using the Solar Oil and messaging the nail plate really worked! I was very relieved and so was my client.

  21. JOEQUETTA KENNEDY says:

    April 18th, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Holly: I would like to share some information with you concerning a particular problem I faced yesterday. My client came in for her first Shellac service. As I began to prepare her nail plates I noticed that all of her nails had verticle ridges! I was skeptical at first because I knew first that I could not file on top of the natural nail and secondly I assumed that the Shellac would settle down into the ridges. I informed her concening this. I then suggested to only do one of her nails to see how it would turn out. I applied the base coat, negligee, and the top coat. To my Surprise, the Shellac performed super. You could not see any of the ridges that were ever so present. I was so impressed and so was my client!! Holly, pass this information on to other Tech’s . I was very excited to send you this valuable information. Bravo Shellac!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. Darcey says:

    April 25th, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    I just started using Shellac a few mouths ago. I have 2 clients that are having problems with the white (French manicure) staying on. My light is new and I apply it as thin as I can. Any ideas? Also was wondering about talking to someone about a training class. Thanks for your help.

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