Caleb Foster
Gel nail polish is a popular choice for those seeking a long-lasting manicure that dries quickly and rarely chips. The polish is cured under a UV or LED lamp, resulting in a shiny, durable finish that can last for weeks. While gel nail polish provides strong and beautiful nails, there are concerns about its impact on nail health. Repeated use can lead to nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and the UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Proper removal methods, such as soaking in acetone, are important to minimize damage. Despite the risks, many appreciate the convenience and longevity of gel nail polish, making it a common option for those seeking a low-maintenance manicure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Durability | More durable than regular nail polish |
| Longevity | Lasts between 2-3 weeks at a minimum |
| Resistance | Resistant to scratches, chipping, and smudging |
| Application | Applied like traditional nail polish but cured under a UV or LED lamp |
| Removal | Requires acetone soak or cotton balls; can damage nails |
| Nail health | Can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking |
| UV exposure | Involves UV exposure, increasing risk of skin cancer and premature aging |
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What You'll Learn
Gel nail polish is long-lasting and durable
Gel nail polish is a novel alternative to acrylics and traditional nail polishes. It is thicker than ordinary nail polish and requires curing under a UV or LED lamp. The curing process involves placing your nails under a UV light for 30 seconds to two minutes to activate the chemical process that dries each coat of gel polish.
The gel polish becomes hard through the curing process, giving it extra strength and ensuring it stays on twice as long as nail polish. A gel manicure can last up to 21 days, and with light wear, it can last four to six times longer than a standard manicure. It is resistant to scratches, chips, and smudges, and the colour stays bright and shiny.
However, gel manicures can be tough on nails, causing brittleness, peeling, and cracking. It is important to take precautions, such as moisturising your hands, nails, and cuticles, to minimise these negative effects. Additionally, the UV exposure from the lamps used in the curing process can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing on the hands.
To remove gel nail polish safely, it is recommended to soak your fingertips in acetone or use acetone-soaked cotton balls wrapped in aluminium foil. This will protect the surrounding skin from the drying and irritating effects of acetone.
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It can be damaging to nails
While gel nail polish can be long-lasting and beautiful, it can also be damaging to nails. The very features that make gel nail polish so robust and desirable can also be the reason why it is tough on nails.
The curing process, which involves placing nails under a UV or LED lamp, dries and hardens the gel polish, making it resistant to scratches and chipping. However, this process can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing on the hands due to UV exposure. The UV rays emitted by the lamps can be harmful and cause damage to the skin on the hands and fingers.
Additionally, the removal process of gel nail polish can be damaging to nails. As gel polish does not dry naturally, it requires a longer and more complicated removal process than regular nail polish. Improper removal methods, such as picking or peeling the polish off, can lead to nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking. To minimise nail damage, it is recommended to have gel polish removed by a manicurist or to use an acetone soak with cotton balls and aluminium foil to protect the surrounding skin.
Furthermore, gel manicures can cause temporary nail damage, such as dryness and brittleness, which can be mitigated by moisturising the nails and cuticles with products like petroleum jelly or cuticle oil. Repeated use of gel nail polish without proper care in between manicures can lead to cumulative nail damage.
While gel nail polish provides a durable and long-lasting manicure, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take the necessary precautions to minimise nail damage.
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It requires a UV or LED lamp to cure
The main difference between gel nail polish and regular nail polish is that gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp. Unlike regular nail polish, gel polishes cannot dry naturally. The curing process involves placing your nails under an LED or UV light to activate the chemical process that dries each coat of gel polish. The molecules in the gel have to polymerise, with short chains of molecules connecting to form long chains and creating a strong network. This is what gives gel nails their extra strength and resistance to chipping or smudging.
The curing process is what makes gel nail polish long-lasting and durable. The polish will not chip or smudge, and the colour will stay bright and shiny. A gel manicure can last up to 21 days, or even longer with light wear. This is significantly longer than regular nail polish, which can be lucky to last a week without chipping.
However, the UV exposure involved in curing gel nail polish is a cause for concern. The UV nail lamps emit harmful UV rays, which can damage the skin on your hands and increase your risk of skin cancer and premature skin ageing. Therefore, while gel nail polish can give you strong and long-lasting nails, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with the curing process.
To minimise the risks, it is recommended to limit the frequency of gel manicures and prioritise proper nail care in between treatments. This includes moisturising your hands, nails and cuticles to prevent brittleness and reduce the risk of nail peeling during polish removal. It is also important to have gel polish removed by a professional manicurist to avoid damaging your nails.
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Removal is a longer process than regular nail polish
While gel nail polish offers a long-lasting, shiny manicure, it is important to consider the removal process, which is more complex and time-consuming than that of regular nail polish. Unlike regular nail polish, which can be left to dry naturally, gel nail polish requires curing under a UV or LED lamp, resulting in a harder and more durable finish. Consequently, when it comes to removal, a simple nail polish remover will not suffice.
The removal process for gel nail polish typically involves an acetone soak. This method is necessary to break down the hardened gel polish and facilitate its removal. To begin, it is recommended to clip and file the nails to shorten and roughen the surface of the gel. This initial step aids in the penetration of the acetone, which is the key to softening and removing the gel polish effectively.
The acetone soak can be performed in a few different ways. One common approach is to saturate cotton balls in acetone and apply them directly to the nail bed, ensuring that the cotton does not touch the surrounding skin as it can be drying and irritating. To keep the cotton balls in place and prevent the acetone from evaporating, each finger is then wrapped in aluminium foil. This setup is typically left on for around 15 to 20 minutes, after which the gel polish should come off easily. Alternatively, one can soak their fingertips directly in acetone, although this method may not be as targeted and can lead to excessive skin exposure to acetone.
It is worth noting that the removal process for gel nail polish can be damaging to the nails. The acetone used in the removal process can dry out the nails and surrounding skin. Therefore, it is crucial to take proper care of your nails after gel polish removal. This includes moisturising the hands, nails, and cuticles with products like petroleum jelly or cuticle oil to minimise brittleness and help prevent nails from peeling, cracking, or chipping.
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It can be removed at home or by a manicurist
While gel nail polish is strong, the removal process can be tough on nails. Dermatologists recommend that you avoid picking at the polish or using other nails or tools to remove it. Instead, make an appointment with a manicurist to have the polish removed professionally.
If you're removing gel polish yourself, you should first rough up the surface of the gel with an emery board. Then, soak small pieces of cotton wool in acetone and apply them directly to the nail bed, ensuring that the cotton doesn't touch the surrounding skin as this can be very drying and irritating. Once the cotton is in place, wrap your nails with small pieces of aluminium foil to keep the cotton balls in place and prevent the acetone from evaporating. After about 15 minutes, the nail polish should come right off.
Alternatively, you can start by clipping off the ends of your nails with a nail clipper, then file and buff the tops of your nails to remove the nail polish. Next, apply cuticle oil or petroleum jelly to protect your skin during the soak. To remove the gel, saturate a cotton ball with acetone nail polish remover and place it on top of the nail. Wrap a piece of aluminium foil around each nail, then wait for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, the gel should be soft enough to flake right off. If it doesn't remove easily, you may need to soak your nails a little longer.
It's important to note that the UV nail lamps used to cure gel nail polish emit harmful UV rays, which can damage the skin on your hands and fingers and increase your risk of skin cancer. Additionally, gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of premature skin ageing on the hands. Therefore, it is recommended to take breaks between gel manicures and apply a moisturising product to your nails and cuticles several times a day to minimise brittleness and help prevent chipping.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gel nail polish is strong and long-lasting. It is thicker than ordinary nail polish and is resistant to chipping and smudging.
Gel nail polish is cured under a UV or LED lamp. The UV light activates a chemical process that dries each coat of gel polish. The short chains of molecules in the gel connect to form long chains, creating a strong network.
Gel nail polish typically lasts between two to three weeks, but it can last as long as one month.
Gel nail polish can be removed by soaking the nails in acetone or by using acetone-soaked cotton balls and wrapping the nails in aluminum foil.
Yes, gel nail polish can be tough on nails and can cause brittleness, peeling, and cracking. It also involves UV exposure, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging.
