
Therefore, it is advisable to opt for a beauty salon or nail bar with experienced professionals.Īnyone can have extensions, but there are times when you should avoid them. Acrylic overlays and extensions are normally removed through nail soaking in acetone for about 20 to 30 minutes.Įach layer is then filed off, although it can lead to damages of the nail bed. Both overlays and extensions are fitted properly and removed on a salon to prevent the nail bed damages.Īcrylics require you to return to the salon within 3 to 4 weeks for infills or removal, but gels last only for 2 to 3 weeks. Nails are more prone to damages during a DIY weekend, compared to sitting on an office desk. The period false nails last depend on the beauty salon where you got them done. The good thing about gels is that they don’t cause a lot of damage to your nails compared to extensions. The formula tends to harden within 20 to 30 seconds after being exposed to UV light.Īlthough gels are not long-lasting and are more costly compared to acrylic, they are quite strong, flexible and odorless. They are suitable for anyone who lacks nails with a “wow” factor.Īcrylics are known to be the oldest artificial nail form, and they use polymer powder referred to as polymethyl methacrylate that is mixed with a liquid monomer known as ethyl methacrylate. They are then buffed to create a glossy effect. Overlays normally skip the extension step with gel or acrylic, which is applied onto the nails directly and shaped by “forms” or hand. They are then glued to your nails and the overlay is done with acrylic or gel to secure and finish. Gel nail extensions, also referred to as tips, are designed with lightweight plastic, and they are cut according to your nail’s shape.

Whichever you choose will depend on whether you need additional strength or length and a durable color. There are two types of false nails, and they include overlays and extensions. Extensions can make your nails look longer, stronger and even glamorous. Another fun fact is that a male dentist back in the ‘50s patented false nails in order to repair a broken nail that was interfering with his work. The results are polished and glamorous nails that will last for weeks.įun fact: Long nails have been a sign of wealth in Asian cultures from the early Ming dynasty. Their advantage is that they are designed to look real or even fake, and the process is faster and effortless. If you happen to have weak nail beds or lack the patience to naturally grow them, this can be an ideal alternative. This lasts for three to four weeks.A good way of increasing ten length and strength of your natural nails is through overlays and nail extensions. Acrylic nails: Acrylic nails combine a monomer liquid and polymer powder to create an acrylic paste-like substance that naturally hardens on the nail to form a transparent base.

The procedure for both gel and acrylic nails takes about one hour and fifteen minutes to complete. This requires the use of an LED light to set and lasts for three to four weeks. Gel nails: Also known as gel overlay, it is a thick transparent gel that can be applied on your regular nail or on nail extensions that have been added for length. The treatment takes about half an hour to do. What is it? Gel polish: It's a thin, gel-based nail polish that lasts without chipping for a minimum of two weeks after being set with an LED light. Here's everything you need to know about gel polish, gel nails and acrylic nails-from what you're signing up for to how much it'll cost you.
Taruna Talreja, nail expert and owner of Mumbai-based salon Kuts N Kurls, clears up the basics.

While the concepts of gel and acrylic nails have been around for a while, most people fall prey to a lot of myths and misconceptions related to them.
