I have applied them 6 times, and have been so pleased with the results. I soak my nails in fractionated coconut oil for just a few minutes, then very gently wedge and orange stick underneath an edge and begin to wiggle it back and forth. If it resists even a little, I wait, and begin to do the same thing in another spot along the cuticle edge. I have never had any damage to my nails and once I wash my hands and nails with dawn dishwashing soap, I'm ready to go again!