It could sound difficult, however in the event you’ve ever used dip powder at a nail salon, then you definitely’re extra acquainted with all the above than you suppose, as a result of that, too, is a type of acrylic.

What are the variations between gel extensions and acrylics?

The distinction between gel extensions and acrylic nail suggestions comes all the way down to the polymerization course of, ease of elimination, and the extension’s density, says nail artist and gel extension specialist Brittney Boyce. “Acrylics are typically more durable than gel,” she says. “[The treatment] is usually carried out by mixing a powder (polymer) and a liquid (monomer) to create that dough-like consistency that may then be filed and molded into shapes.”

Dobos provides that when in comparison with gel extensions, “acrylic polymer networks are denser, so they’re extra inflexible, much less versatile, and harder to take away.” Dip powder is even more durable to get off of nails, which places the pure nail in a state the place harm is probably going inevitable.

Gel nail polish, alternatively, “tends to be softer and extra versatile than acrylic, and [gel extensions] are typically not as damaging,” says Boyce. The distinction between gel and acrylic formulation is that gel is already combined and must be cured with a UV mild or LED lamp, whereas acrylic requires mixing as you go throughout the software course of.

As a result of gel extensions are extra malleable and natural-looking, they usually price extra to get utilized than acrylics, in response to New York Metropolis-based nail artist Shirley Cheng.

Do gel extensions last more than acrylics?

“There are lots of variations on formulation in the present day, however usually acrylics are longer lasting for extensions as a result of they’re stronger,” says Dobos. “Nevertheless, the opposite limiting issue is how rapidly your pure nail grows out.”

Cheng usually suggests gel extensions to her purchasers as a result of flexibility of the formulation. “Consider a plastic cup (gel) versus a glass cup (acrylic),” she says. “Whereas a glass cup might sound more durable, in the event you drop the glass, it’s going to break, whereas the plastic cup will probably be tremendous.” However that does not imply gel extensions are for everybody.

A very good nail technician mustn’t solely have the ability to customise the service to your way of life as wanted (whether or not which means utilizing acrylic or gel) but in addition keep away from outdated nail enhancement strategies, like utilizing methyl methacrylate (MMA) as acrylic, says Cheng. “Whereas the product is tremendous onerous and sturdy, it was designed to restore tooth and bones,” she provides. “To ensure that the product to stick to nails, the technician must shred the pure nail.”

Are gel extensions safer than acrylics?

Talking of shredding the pure nail, “most harm [from gel nail extensions and acrylics] comes from bodily, mechanical stresses,” says Dobos. It is doubtless not the formulation themselves that can trigger harm. “Your nails are densely full of keratin and it is onerous for many chemical compounds to penetrate and weaken them,” she explains.