What’s actually happening under your nails
Years of extensions don’t have to mean years of damage, Barreau explains, if the formula, application and removal are done properly. The real damage tends to come from the process, not the product: over-filing, over-buffing, removing layers of natural nail along with the gel. If the nail has simply dehydrated or softened, recovery is fast. If the nail plate itself has been compromised, patience is the only fix. Fingernails grow roughly 3mm a month, which means a full, honest reset can take up to six months. Not a season, it is a commitment.
The client walking in today has changed too, she says. “Before, the main question was, ‘what will last the longest?’ Now clients ask what is in the product, whether there is a more health-conscious option, and whether we can help them grow their natural nails.” The result typically holds for two to three weeks, though the range depends on lifestyle as much as technique.
Where to get it done in Dubai
March14 Beauty Residence in Al Quoz, founded by Ruby Barreau which can be booked as a bespoke request through its nail atelier,Mothers & Daughters in Dubai Hills offers it as a dedicated treatment, alongside gel and hard gel, from roughly AED 170. High22 has built its reputation partly on the technique, calling it the leading Japanese manicure destination in the city. Platinum Black Salon in DIFC positions it as a healing treatment rather than a beauty add-on, no polish, no damage, just nourishment and a glassy finish. Zieda Beauty Lounge in Jumeirah takes a similarly restorative approach, framing it as a break from polish rather than a replacement for one. Across the city, manicure pricing generally runs between AED 200 and AED 600, which places most Japanese manicure treatments comfortably mid-range.