They lie!!!
I did the same thing & they did nails for me when I got married.
Infact, Since the arcylics are high on the surface of your finger, it made it hard for me to pick & they healed & looked awesome. By the time the nails came off, I didn't pick anymore.
Don't let them tell you that.
It might sting a little from the solution, but try to clip them down so their not hanging and use a vitamin E at night on your fingers to soften & heal.
I heard that you want to get your nails done 2 weeks before an event, so if you have time, try to work on those hangnails.
Good luck & shop around for a different nail salon.
Corissa