Gel Manicure: Pros, Cons And Dangers

There are several explanations for why gel manicure became the first nail trend in recent years: it lasts on nails for a very long time, pleases with a chic glossy shine and is presented in the list of services of any beauty salon.

“Gel polishes are made of more persistent substances than conventional ones, and fit tightly enough in the nail plate not to break off for weeks,” says Rita Remarque, a leading nail artist at Essie. - The gel coating undergoes mandatory processing under the light of an LED lamp, while ordinary varnish dries on its own in the air. It will take you 10 to 15 minutes to remove the gel (preferably using a special solution), while removing the usual varnish takes several minutes.”

It may seem that this is a real miracle remedy for a modern girl, saving her time, nerves and money. But the gels have both their advantages and disadvantages, which they decided to understand in as much detail as possible.

Acrylic versus gel coatings - what's the difference?

Acrylic is a mixture of liquid and powder that dries easily in the air and is great for a variety of designs, changing the shape of the nail or its length. Despite the fact that during the procedure you are unlikely to be pleased with the smell emanating from acrylic, you will probably be satisfied with the durability of such a manicure (as a rule, it lasts for two weeks) and the possibility of correcting it if something breaks off or suddenly starts to come off.

With a gel coat, things are a little different. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to make adjustments after drying - here either walk as it is, or go straight to removal. However, he has a huge number of advantages on his side: absence of unpleasant odors, durability up to three weeks, the effect of dense nail plates with a beautiful glossy shine. In general, gelcoats are believed to be more durable and flexible than acrylics. But the choice is always yours.

Gels can weaken the nail plate (but in most cases due to improper removal)

Largely due to the fact that the gel coating is very persistent, more than one myth has already been written about it, but the opinion that it weakens the nail plate is not without a grain of truth.

The nail bed and cuticle are the most important areas of the nail. The first is responsible for the nutrition of the nail plate, and the second performs protective functions. At the same time, both zones form living tissues, therefore, when removing makeup, especially as dense as gel, it is important to be as careful as possible. In no case should you tear off the outgoing parts of the manicure - in such a simple way you damage the nail plate, and it will not recover quickly - on average, this process takes up to six months. To remove the gel, it is better to go to a salon or have it at home using acetone, foil, cotton balls and a nail file.

Alas, experts also do not advise to part with a gel manicure. In their opinion, this can lead to loss of moisture in the nails and thinning of the nail plate. Once every two to three months will be enough to allow the nail plate to recover and please yourself with a new version of manicure. The main thing is not to do it without a break, because your nails need rest too!

Moisturizing is above all

As mentioned above, with a gel manicure, you need to thoroughly moisturize your nails. Especially the nail bed and cuticle will need it. In order not to spoil their condition, stock up on special cuticle oil and moisturizing cream for nails: use them after manicure and especially hard during the period of "rest" from the coating. Restoring varnishes, which normalize the H ₂ O balance of nails and enrich them with useful nutrients, are also perfect (see also: "6 foods for strengthening and restoring nails").

Gel curing lamp - dangerous or not?

Today it is widely believed that lamps for drying a gel coating are the most controversial part of the procedure, because if ultraviolet light is used in it, then this negatively affects not only the skin of the hands, but also health in general. However, most brands-manufacturers and beauty salons have long since switched to the production and purchase of so-called LED lamps, in which everyone is familiar with LEDs, so there can be no risks. However, when visiting a salon for the sake of safety and comfort, it is better to ask the master from the very beginning about the details of the service and find out all the details regarding the equipment. Caution never hurts.

Avoid hot water

The real evil for a gel coat is hot water. Keeping your manicure in it for a long time is the best way to get rid of it. Prolonged bathing in a hot jacuzzi or bath can cause the coating to lift - so it's best to wear gloves even when washing dishes.

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