Gel Nail Polish 101 - manicure

02 Jul.,2024

 

Gel Nail Polish 101 - manicure

"When applied and removed correctly, gels are completely safe to wear on an ongoing basis,&#; adds Rita. "Gels can certainly weaken the nails if they are peeled or pried off the nail, which can strip layers of the natural nail, or if the nail if over buffed prior to gel application."

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3. The ingredients in the gel polish matter. 

"More than just nail health, I opt for total body health,&#; says Jenna, who warns against the &#;toxic trio&#; carcinogens that are present in many polishes: Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). "After clinical testing, in high doses, these ingredients were found to cause inflammation along with many other adverse side effects like disturbing liver and thyroid function for example,&#; Rita explains. Luckily, most all professional-grade nail polishes manufactured today do not contain these &#;nasties.&#; Jenna's own brand of lacquers, along with Jinsoon's, RGB's, Zoya's, and Sally Hansen's come formulated without those common culprits.

4. Try to limit your exposure to the UV lamp.

A recent study from the American Academy of Dermatology revealed that gel manicures may not be a safe option for people who are highly sensitive to UV light. &#;The UV dose that you receive during a gel manicure is brief, but it&#;s intense,&#; Dr. Adigun said in the study. &#;Over time, this intense exposure can add up to cause skin damage.&#;

"An additional concern is the rise in popularity of LED nail lamps," Dr. Adigun notes of her own research on the safety of gel manicures. LED lamps have become popular as much for their faster curing times as the belief that they're safer than UV lamps, but Dr. Adigun insists this is not the case. "Although many people mistakenly believe these lamps do not use UVA [rays] to cure, they in fact use higher intensities of UVA wavelengths in order to achieve the shorter curing times. This higher intensity of UVA irradiance means that it requires less time for these lamps to potentially harm the skin," she explains.

When you still need your gel fix, Dr. Adigun says you'll need to make sure you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, meaning that it protects against UVA/UVB rays. Plus, the UVA light from the nail lamps is stronger than the usual exposure you get from the sun. "Applying sunscreen during a manicure is [also] logistically difficult," she adds. "By the time the hand-care portion of the manicure is finished, prior to the application of the gels, sunscreen would need to be applied, and then the consumer and the nail technician would need to wait the recommended 20 minutes prior to applying the gel."

Instead, Dr. Adigun recommends bringing along your own pair of YouVeeShield gloves to protect your hands against UVA radiation (which also causes signs of premature aging like dark spots and wrinkles). "It is the most protective material [because it] protects the entire digits and wrist," Dr. Adigun says.

5. Think of gel polish as liquid acrylics.

Ever wonder exactly how gel manicures stay so perfect for so long? "The chemical compositions for gel polish and regular nail polish vary with each brand, but the major difference is that gel polish will only dry under direct UV or LED light contact, while regular nail polish can air dry," explains celebrity nail artist Yoko Sakakura. "Gel polish applications cure under a lamp, creating a hardened layer of polish that makes it more durable and longer-lasting. The removal process for gel polish is more complex as well, requiring the nail to be soaked in acetone to properly dissolve the formula off of the nail." So not only will they last longer, but they'll look harder and shinier while you've got 'em, too.

6. Hot baths or showers can cause gel polish to lift.

"A gel manicure&#;s worst enemy is hot water,&#; says Rita, hence why soaking them is the most effective way to get them off. "Long baths, showers, or time spent in a hot tub can cause lifting, so try your best to avoid these or keep them to a minimum and always wear rubber gloves when you do the dishes!&#; Duly noted.

7. The soaking-off process can be harmful.

While your manicure may stay firmly in place until you're ready to take it off, the removal process can be extremely harsh. According to Jenna and Dr. Adigun, soaking your nails in acetone wrapped in foil is what leaves them dried out and brittle post-gel mani. Additionally, once the foils come off, manicurists may scrape the nail plate with a file, which can result in more nail trauma. Making sure that your manicurist correctly applies and cures your gel polish in the first place can help to lessen this damage. "Properly cured gels remove easily with the acetone soak, whereas improperly cured gels require tools to manually remove them," Dr. Adigun explains.

8. Give your skin some TLC after the gel manicure is removed.

"It's very important that the surrounding skin and cuticle, as well as the nail plate itself, be rehydrated with a thick emollient such as Aquaphor or an overnight mask like Nails Inc.'s Overnight Detox Nail Mask post-removal in order to rehydrate and repair the surrounding skin, cuticle, and nails," Dr. Adigun says.

10. Hydrate your nails.

You know the importance of drinking plenty of H2O for your health &#; and the same rules apply when it comes to nail health. Also, hydrate your nails as much as possible in between salon visits. Dermelect Makeover Ridge Filler acts as a base coat and quenches shriveled nail beds, while the Nails Inc. Back To Life Recover Treatment can be used as a base coat or sheer nude polish that camouflages damage while hydrating nails with vitamin C and coconut, apricot, and avocado oils.

11. Consider using nail wraps for protection.

Want the look of gels minus the damage &#; and dry time? Jenna recommends using painted nail strips like NCLA's topped with a clear gel coat, like Essie's Gel Couture Top Coat. "This way, the gel never touches the actual nail plate, and it seals in the wrap for up to two weeks," she says.

12. ...or "gel-like" polishes to use at home.

There's also a series of "gel-like" polishes available on the market, which have long-wear properties that, generally speaking, will last a full week. While several brands have launched their own versions of the gel finish, Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel Nail Polish comes in over 70 (!) shades, and Covergirl's XL Nail Gel offers a high-shine finish at a drugstore price.

Gel Nail Polish Pros and Cons - ORLY

Gel nail polish services are offered in pretty much every nail salon around the world. It&#;s a monthly, sometimes weekly, routine for many nail art enthusiasts. 

There&#;s always been a lot of speculation on what gel nail polish is made of and whether gel nail polish is good or bad for nails. There are all types of rumors and myths, good and bad, surrounding gel nail polish.

But here at ORLY, we deal in first-rate nail polish and honesty. So let&#;s take a look at gel nail polish pros and cons. 

What This Article Covers:

The Pros Of Gel Nail Polish

The hype around gel nail polish is not unfounded. There are quite a few types of nail polish but there is no denying that gel nail polish is one of the most loved. 

Looks And Feels Good

Gel nail polish was made with the intention to mimic natural nails. From a timeless French manicure to something on the wild side, you can achieve it with gel nail polish. 

For many who do their nails regularly, there is a clear connection between good-looking nails and a great day. It&#;s a self-care ritual for many people because of the way it looks and makes them feel. 

At the end of the day, nothing beats feeling good in your own skin. Anyone who gets their nails done can agree that even if you are not having a great day, it helps you feel like a million bucks. 

Long-Lasting

Gel nails look natural and are very customizable. The only thing that could make them any better is if your gel nail look lasted. Oh wait, it does. 

Gel nail polish lasts on average 2 to 3 weeks.  That&#;s almost 3 weeks where you can completely forget about nail upkeep, while feeling your best. 

Quick Dry Time

One of the biggest differences between gel nail polish and regular nail polish is in how they dry. While regular nail polish dries when it interacts with the air around you, gel nail polish is set or cured under a UV or LED light.

Without the polymerization process from the UV/LED light reacting with gel nail polish, the gel nail polish will stay in its liquid form.  This gives you more time to do nail art and to experiment with different types of nail polish finishes. 

When you are done, pop your gel nails under a UV or LED light to cure the polish. It takes an average of 2 minutes and after, your nails are smooth, hard, and dry. No extra waiting for all the nail polish to dry. No awkward hand movements to prevent smudging. 

When gel nail polish is dry, it&#;s basically like armor. 

Always Looks Fresh

Gel nails look like natural nails but like acrylic, it&#;s super strong. There will be minimal chipping from daily wear and tear. You can carry on with your usual daily routine without having to stress about the effect it could have on your nails. 

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This is one for the nail polish vs nail enamel debate. Gel also doesn&#;t dull or fade. Until you have them removed, your nails will look the same as they did the day you left the nail salon   

Endless Nail Looks

Because of the quick dry time, gel nail polish can be used to create endless nail art looks. They are easy to layer and there will be no long wait for a bottom layer to dry only to later discover it never did. No smudging and no limits. 

Like acrylic nail polish, you can add or extend length with gel nail polish too. Where with acrylic you build with an acrylic bead, with gel you can use a UV/LED light to adhere a nail form or tips to your nails for the perfect nail shape and length. 

And while there are differences between nail polish and nail paint, you can use non-toxic acrylic paint to add extra depth to your nail art.  There are many nail artists that create beautiful, intricate nail art that has us wondering is nail polish paint because of how detailed the looks can be. 

Flexible

Gel nail polish acts like a liquid acrylic but where acrylic dries into a rigid form, gel nail polish dries to a much more flexible form. 

It&#;s one of the reasons gel nails look more like natural nails. The flexibility also means less damage to your nail bed. 

Acrylics can cause bleeding under your nail when it hooks or knocks against something. But because the gel is more flexible, it gives instead of tearing at your nail bed. 

Easy To Use

Unlike acrylic, gel nail polish comes in a bottle with a normal nail polish applicator. All you need is a UV/LED light and you can create all the looks your heart desires. We also have vegan gel nail polish for those wondering if gel nail polish is vegan. 

Most beauty outlets sell DIY gel nail polish kits. At ORLY, we have our Gel Essentials for pros and amateurs alike. 

The Cons Of Gel Nail Polish

We can&#;t forget that nothing is ever perfect. It would be great to believe gel nail polish has no cons but unfortunately, there are some cons to gel nail polish. 

You Need Breaks

Our nails receive oxygen and nutrients through our blood system so you can&#;t constanly suffocate your nails with polish. Your natural nails do need air to stay strong. If you don&#;t take breaks between manicures, over a long period of time, your nails will suffer. 

Nails can also be thinned from the nail prep process. Every time your nails are buffed before the gel is applied, the nail layers are damaged.

Nails need a week's break for every 8 weeks of manicures.  During this break apply the Best Nail Strengthener Polish, a protein treatment to help strengthen your nails. 

For severely damaged nails, it might be time to let them grow out completely. It takes around 4 to 6 months for nails to grow out from cuticle to tip. During this time, you can support your nails with Nailtrition treatment to get them back in peak shape. 

Acetone Soak

Because gel nail polish is so long-lasting, breaking the bond between the gel and your nail requires an acetone bath. Gel nails need to be soaked for around 10 minutes. This can cause drying, peeling, and nail brittleness. 

Our Genius Remover is a great alternative. It&#;s formulated to remove gel, lacquer, and hybrids without drying out your nails. Nailtrition is also great for nail recovery after removing gel.

Another option is a peel-off base coat like our Easy-Off Gel Basecoat. This allows you to cut down the acetone soak time by 5 minutes. After a quick soak, just push the gel nail polish right off your nail. No need for a long soak or buffing to remove the residual gel. 

UV/LED Light

Gel nail polish doesn&#;t dry like regular nail polish. Instead, it is cured under a UV or LED lamp. It takes on average 2 minutes to cure. Two minutes isn&#;t a long time to be exposed to UV rays but manicure lights are 2 minutes of intense UV exposure.

There is no real way to avoid using UV or LED lamps when getting a Gel manicure but you can avoid UV/LED lamps that are not up to standard. We offer Professional LED Gel Lamp, a safe and easy LED lamp with adjustable light intensity settings to protect even the most sensitive skin.

Also, consider using a broad spectrum SPF before your nail appointment. There are also UV shield gloves available specifically for manicures. While UV and LED lights are not dangerous to use, it&#;s always a good idea to protect your skin.

Salons Are Expensive

In the United States, the average gel manicure can be anywhere between $45 to $100. This includes removal, nail prep, treatment, nail art, and tips. While not too much as a once-off cost, if you are visiting a nail salon a couple of times a month it can quickly add up. 

If you are looking for a way to save some money, try our At-Home Gel Nail Color Application Starter Kit. Gel nail polish is easy to use and once you get a hang of it, you could be creating whatever looks you want.

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