Now, nail art comes in a wide range of options. There are two options if you’re considering adding fake nails, either the classic acrylic nails or gel nails. Each of the two has its own pros and cons and knowing some information about them can help you choose what’s better for you.
Here are some tips that will help you think what’s better for you.
Differences between gel and acrylic nails
Product makeup is the main difference between gel and acrylic nails. Acrylic nails is allowed to cure for a few minutes before filing, but the curing process continues over the next 48 hours. These nails are made from dipping a brush into a liquid that’s called monomer and then placing the wet brush in a powder called polymer, creating a ball of product which is then placed on the nail bed and patted into place. Meanwhile, gel nails are pre-mixed and are in an actual “gel” form. A brush is used to pick up a portion of the gel and place it on the nail bed, and then it’s brushed and coaxed into position. After that, the finger is placed in a low-wattage UV light to cure the gel. Once it’s removed from the UV light, it’s fully cured.
Acrylic nails
These nails are quite popular and common because they’ve been around for a very long time. Some of the nail salons offer them, and most nail technicians have the experience needed for this type of artificial nail. Most technicians say these nails can also be a bit uncommon looking if applied incorrectly or in a hurry. These artificial nails are occasionally hard to remove without damaging the nail below. They also come with a strong smell associated with some of the chemicals that are involved in the process, which can make the application unpleasant.
Gel nails
Even though gel nails have been around nearly as long as acrylic nails, they’ve only become popular in recent years. This means that only a few places offer the technique, so it may be a little harder to find nail technicians who know the technique and have experience with gel nails. Nevertheless, gel nails have certain benefits over the acrylic nails. Basically, gel nails don’t have the same type of strong-smelling chemicals when applied or removed. These nails are also much thinner and more flexible than the acrylic ones and may be a better choice for women with thin, soft nail beds. Despite its benefits, gel nails also have some disadvantages. Due to the skill needed for applying them correctly, they tend to cost a bit more expensive than acrylic nails and can be harder to remove. Also, if they’re not skilfully applied, they can look uneven and thick.
Nail Care Tips
Once you have your fake nails in place, proper care is best if you want them to continue to look their best. Here are some basic nail care tips:
- Schedule timely repair appointments. If you break a nail or notice a nail has begun to lift, go to your nail salon as soon as possible. DIY repairs are a bad idea. For example, if you glue a loose nail down by yourself, it can cause moisture to become trapped and end up causing an infection.
- Regularly polish them. If you’re wearing polish or a French manicure on your gel or acrylic nails, then it’s good to apply a top coat every other day, as this will help prevent chipping and yellowing. If you’re in the sun on a daily basis, then you should apply a top coat every single day.
- Protect your nails. If you have fake nails, you need to protect them when you’re doing any type of gardening or housework. Always wear protective gloves when doing everyday tasks like opening soda cans.
Both gel and acrylic nails have their advantages and disadvantages. Choosing which type of artificial nail to use depends on a number of factors, including the amount of money you want to spend, how you’ll look for a qualified salon and what look you’re trying to achieve.
Discover more solutions for your nails with the help of the top nail salons in Australia today.