How do you protect your nails if you want gel manicures?

Now that I'm working I can afford to get my nails done! I only get gel manicures because they last so long. After about 3 weeks my nails start to chip and I tend to pick at them. Is there any way to protect my nails so they don't become so damaged? I took a picture of what my nails look like after I peeled off the nail polish. http://i.imgur.com/8V1JG.jpg

I should probably go to the salon to just get them soaked off. Also can you do ombre gel manicures? I wanted to do something like gold tip, fade to red for xmas!

EDIT: Also I find that my nails are pretty weak and bend easily what do you recommend...biotin?