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Gel Nail Age Limit? Yay or Nay

Hey everyone,

Let's talk about a controversial issue , whether or not you should put gels on young children. And at what age? There are a lot of different factors when choosing if you are going to do it and say yes.

Insurance - this should be one of your main concerns. Check yours to see if there is an age limit they set for you. It is possible that your answer lies within the pages of those papers. Worth checking that out.

Parents' consent - if they are under the age of 16, you should consider what the parents may say or do. The best way to avoid conflict is to discuss it with the parents before to get their approval. If anything, you should get them on your side, let them know the maintenance. They should know that the kid cannot remove the gels themselves, as well as all the responsibilities of gels and upkeep.

Responsibility/commitment - most teenagers don't realize that getting gels or even gel polish requires maintenance, care, and consistency. THEY ARE JEWELS NOT TOOLS. I remember when I first got gels on… the transition was difficult. I use to do everything with my hands. Gels are strong but they have a limit, you still need to be careful. You also should keep an eye on the wear and tear, if your nails are starting to look grown out or they have a few chips - get in contact with your nail tech right away! The longer you have gels, the easier it is to keep them in good condition. Be patient. Kids are not always patient. Mentally prepare yourself for this if you choose to put gels on a youngen.

Adhesion - The natural oils in kids nails make it harder for the gel to adhere. They are going through a lot of hormonal changes, which will have a large effect on heat sensitivity and how it adheres. Children's nails tend to be more thin and flexible. All of these factors will cause easier lifting and/or tear with improper care. This is what can damage their nails- if they pick them off it will strip the nail.

Photo & work credit to nails.by.annabelle

Development - this one is very important and yet controversial. Will it affect their nails long term? Some say this is a myth. Either way, they are young and may not know of potential nail disorders and/or sensitivities. If it is the case where they have nail conditions, there is potential harm that can stem from putting gels on, filing, tear, etc.

I recommend assessing each case and taking into consideration all factors. IF you do decide to do their nails, people suggest not to buff so it comes off easy and wont damage when removing.

Everyone should be concerned to create a bad name for this industry. Nails shouldn’t be considered bad for your nails or overall damaging. If we are changing the stigma we need to start young. Make sure to have these conversations with your clients and keep them informed.

Elise xox

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