Isla Bennett
Regular nail polish is easy to apply, dries naturally, and can be found at any drugstore or beauty site. However, it can take a long time to dry, and it can chip within days. On the other hand, gel polish is thin and flexible, but it needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp. It hardens in less than a minute and is more resistant to chipping than regular nail polish. You can now turn your regular nail polish into gel polish using products such as Gelibility, Hydracol XOX Gel Nail Polish Set, and Vishine Gel HEMA-Free Top Coat and Base Coat. These products allow you to create your own custom gel colours by mixing your regular nail polish with their formula.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drying time | Regular nail polish dries in the air and takes longer to dry |
| Gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp and hardens in less than a minute | |
| Durability | Regular nail polish lasts up to 7 days |
| Gel polish is more robust and lasts up to 21 days without chipping | |
| Removal | Regular nail polish can be removed with a quick wipe |
| Gel polish has to be soaked or filed off and is more difficult to remove | |
| Safety | There are concerns about the safety of UV lamps used for gel polish due to the well-established links between UV exposure and skin aging and cancer |
| Customization | Regular nail polish offers a wide range of colors and is easy to switch up |
| Gel polish can be customized by mixing equal parts of gel and regular nail polish to create unique colors |
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What You'll Learn
Gel nail polish requires a curing lamp
Gel nail polish is a thin and flexible intermediate form of nail polish and gel nails. It combines the features of both. While regular nail polish can be left to dry naturally, gel nail polish requires a curing lamp to dry. The curing process gives extra strength to the nails, making the gel polish more resistant to scratches and long-lasting.
The curing lamp is essential to the gel manicure process because gel polishes cannot dry naturally. The gel polish will only harden under the curing lamp because the molecules in the gel have to polymerise. The short chains of molecules connect to form long chains, creating a strong network. This process is called the curing process and it gives the gel polish extra strength.
The curing lamp can be a UV or LED lamp, and newer LED curing lamps are considered safer and faster than traditional fluorescent UV lamps. This is because they deliver a narrower wavelength of light. However, there are concerns about the potential damage that UV lamps can cause to the skin. Studies have found that LED nail dryers can cause DNA damage to mouse and human cells in vitro. Therefore, it is recommended that people who regularly get gel manicures protect their skin with sunscreen.
The curing lamp is an important tool to ensure the proper drying and hardening of gel nail polish. It is a key difference between regular nail polish and gel nail polish, as the latter requires this additional equipment to achieve its long-lasting and robust finish.
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Regular nail polish dries naturally
Regular nail polish, on the other hand, dries through evaporation, as the solvents in the polish evaporate and leave behind a solid layer of colour. This process can take a while, with some polishes requiring up to half an hour to dry completely. During this time, it's important to keep your nails from getting tarnished by activities such as putting your hands in your pockets. Even after waiting patiently for your nails to dry, regular polish can still chip within days, which can be frustrating.
However, regular nail polish has its advantages. It is easy to apply and quick to change, drying super quickly and allowing you to switch up your nail colour as often as you like. It is also simple to fix mistakes made during the application process by dabbing acetone and reapplying the nail polish. Regular nail polish is also suitable for use on toenails, where it can last longer due to the nails being more covered.
While regular nail polish dries naturally, there are some products on the market that claim to turn regular nail polish into gel polish. These products, such as Gelibility and Hydracol XOX Gel Nail Polish Set, involve mixing equal parts of the product with your regular nail polish to create a gel-like consistency that can then be cured under a lamp. These products offer the advantage of being able to transform any nail polish colour into a gel polish, without the need to purchase specific gel polish colours.
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Gel polish lasts longer
Gel polish is an intermediate form of nail polish and gel nails. It is as thin and flexible as regular nail polish and can be applied in the same way. However, unlike regular nail polish, gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp. This is because the molecules in the gel have to polymerise, forming a strong network that gives extra strength to the nails.
Regular nail polish dries naturally, whereas gel polish hardens under a lamp, which is why it lasts longer. A gel manicure can last up to 21 days, whereas regular nail polish can last up to 7 days, or just a few days before it chips. The longer wear time of gel polish means that your nails remain beautiful for the entire period.
The curing process of gel polish also means that there is no drying time. Once your nails are done, you can continue with your day without worrying about damaging your varnish. This is a significant advantage over regular nail polish, which can take up to half an hour to dry, and even then, can be easily smudged or chipped.
In addition to lasting longer, gel polish is also more robust and resistant to scratches than regular nail polish. This is due to the extra strength that the curing process provides. The only downside is that gel polish is more difficult to remove and usually has to be soaked or filed off.
There are also safety concerns to consider when using gel polish. The ultraviolet light from the lamps used to cure the gel polish has been linked to skin ageing and cancer. While newer LED curing lamps are supposed to make the process faster and safer, UV light is still essential to any gel manicure. Therefore, it is recommended that people who regularly get gel manicures protect their skin with sunscreen.
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Gel polish is harder to remove
Gel nail polish is harder to remove than regular nail polish. This is because the gel polish hardens under a UV or LED lamp, forming a strong network that gives extra strength to the nails. As such, the removal process is more involved than simply swiping the nails with a cotton pad. However, it is still a straightforward process that can even be relaxing when done by a professional. The key is patience – don’t rush the soaking and gentle buffing process. It's important to avoid the temptation to peel the gel polish off when in a hurry, as this can damage the nails.
When removing gel nail polish, it is recommended to soak the nails to soften the gel. This can be done by wrapping the nails in acetone-soaked cotton balls or pads and then wrapping them in foil or placing them in a soak-off tray. The nails should be soaked for 10-15 minutes, or until the gel polish starts to dissolve and lift off the nails. After soaking, the gel polish can be gently buffed or scraped off using a cuticle pusher or wooden stick. It is important to be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the nails.
Another option for removing gel nail polish is to use a nail steamer. This method involves placing the fingers into a machine that emits steam, which helps to soften the gel polish for easy removal. This method is quick and convenient, but it is important to ensure that the nail steamer is set to the correct temperature to avoid burning the skin.
After removing gel nail polish, it is important to take care of the nails to ensure they remain healthy and strong. This includes moisturising the nails and cuticles with cuticle oil or hand cream, as well as taking regular breaks from wearing nail polish to allow the nails to breathe.
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Gel polish is more expensive
Gel nail polish is more expensive than regular nail polish due to the ingredients used, the length of the manicure process, and the need for specialised equipment.
The primary reason for the higher cost of gel nail polish is the ingredients used in its formulation. Synthetic resins, which are the main component of nail gels, vary in price depending on their type. Light-curing resin, for example, is the most expensive resin on the market and is used in gel nail products. Higher-quality gels have more resin and fewer dilution ingredients, which contributes to their higher price. Oligomer-based gels, in particular, are more costly than monomer-based gels due to the difference in molecular size.
Additionally, the process of applying gel nail polish takes significantly longer than a traditional manicure. Gel manicures require multiple steps, including shaping, cleaning, applying a base coat, curing under a UV or LED lamp, and applying additional coats. Each layer of gel polish must be set in the lamp, resulting in a time-intensive process. This extended application time is reflected in the higher price of gel manicures.
Furthermore, gel manicures often require specialised equipment, such as a UV or LED lamp for curing the polish, which adds to the overall cost. Unlike regular nail polish, which dries naturally, gel nail polish requires a lamp to harden and cure properly. This extra step and the need for additional tools contribute to the higher expense of gel nail services.
The longer wearing time of gel nail polish, which can last up to 21 days without chipping, is another factor influencing its higher price. Gel polish provides a robust and resistant manicure that stays on twice as long as regular nail polish. This extended wear period justifies the higher cost of gel manicures compared to traditional nail polish services.
While gel nail polish is more expensive, it offers advantages such as longer-lasting colour, added protection for natural nails, and a high-quality finish. These benefits contribute to the popularity of gel manicures despite their higher price point.
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Frequently asked questions
Regular nail polish dries naturally, whereas gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp. Regular nail polish is easy to apply and quick to change, whereas gel polish is more expensive and harder to remove.
You will need a gel polish set such as Gelibility, Hydracol XOX, or Vishine. Place equal amounts of the gel formula and your regular nail polish on a palette or in a small dish and mix well. Using the regular nail polish brush, apply a thin coat of the mixture to your nails and cure in a UV, LED, or CCFL lamp. Apply a second coat and cure again.
Gel polish is longer-lasting, stronger, and more resistant to scratches than regular nail polish. It also dries almost instantly and is less likely to chip.
There are concerns about the potential damage caused by the ultraviolet light from the lamps used to cure gel polish. Studies have found that LED nail dryers can cause DNA damage to mouse and human cells in vitro. However, other studies suggest that it would take a significant amount of time under the lamp to reach a threshold for serious damage.
Builder gel is a type of gel polish that, when applied in a specific way, gives your nails extra strength and protection. It allows your nails to bend and flex without breaking and can be used to build an apex (the curved stress area of your nail) or a nail extension.
