Currently I use the "dip" method, about every 2.5 weeks.
It's interesting how different parts of the country call different nail treatments different. When we were in IL, I'd just go in and ask for a 'no-chip'. They all knew what that meant. When we moved to CA, I asked for a no-chip, and they asked me if I wanted gel or acrylic. I wasn't sure.
During the pandemic, when I wasn't going in, my cuticles got so beat up. I, too, have very thin, brittle nails that don't really break... they tear. But having a gel or acrylic layer somehow protected my cuticles from tearing. But whatever I'd been getting (I think gel), even they would tear. It would be so frustrating.
So a few months ago, I decided to try the powder dip (SNS system). The first few times I did it, they lasted great! But then, I think as my nails were exposed more and more to the maintenance of doing powder dip, they weakened even more (even though this powder dip is supposed to be healthy for nails), and as they grew out, my nails would curl under and peel away from the powder dip part of the nail. About a month ago, I did a no-no - I peeled off what was curling, then pulled off the powder dip when it would get loose, till I had nothing left on my nails. If I go with a gel or powder dip again, I just can't peel them off if they separate from my nail. I need to go in and have them remove the coating.
I decided to get just regular manicures for a while so my own nails could grow back and not have the damage from where I peeled off the powder dip. They are so fragile right now, and tear at any little accident on my part. I'm hoping once all of the nail that had been covered in powder dip grows out, they will be healthy again, and I can go back to gel.
Since I'm not spending on manicures right now, on Saturday I decided to get the premium pedicure. It was so much better than the regular pedicure. A couple of months ago, I dropped something on one of my big toes, at the base of the bed (was rolling our wet-vac across our backyard, full of water, when it ekipped over a raised spot in the yard and landed on my foot). About four months ago, I had just completely grown out a bruise on the other big toe from dropping something on it last September. And now, of course, I will have to wait out this bruise growing out. So I am going to keep up with my pedicures and polish, even if I take a break on the manicures for a while. I'm told it takes 8-10 months for your big toe nail to grow out completely! 🤨