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Acrylic and gel nails difference. Which nails are better: gel or acrylic? The appearance of nails: which is better - gel or acrylic

acrylic nails

To date, the most common materials for nail extensions are acrylic and gel. The composition for building is made from a mixture of liquid with. This mixture is toxic, has an unpleasant pungent odor. Chemicals can irritate the skin and make natural nails brittle and weak. Acrylic build-up will have to be abandoned in the following cases: if you are taking a course or taking antibiotics (at the same time, the body begins to produce acetone, which rejects the material); suffer from diabetes, herpes or intestinal diseases; there are hormonal disorders. The chemical components that make up the acrylic mass can cause an allergic reaction, fainting and even suffocation.

Among the advantages are the following:

Acrylic is a fairly durable material. Such nails will be worn for a long time, reliably;
- if you accidentally break an acrylic nail, you can even repair it yourself;
- a fairly simple process of removing such nails, there are special solvents that will help remove acrylic nails in a matter of minutes.

Cons of acrylic building:

Your natural nails with acrylic extensions are negatively affected. Acrylic penetrates deeply into the nail plate, which creates difficulties in correction and sawing;
- acrylic nails look more rough and artificial, even if they are made by an experienced master (which cannot be said about gel ones);
- after wearing acrylic nails for a long time, the natural plate begins to deplete, so after removing the artificial nails, special care is required.

gel nails

Pros of gel nails:

Gel nails look more glossy and natural than acrylic ones;
- the polymerization process is faster than that of acrylic, sometimes two minutes is enough;
- the components included in the gel do not emit toxic substances and do not smell;
- in the process of building up, they require little filing.

The main component for building gel nails is the resin of coniferous trees, as well as other semi-synthetic and natural components. Such a composition is considered less harmful, it does not have a pungent odor and is not toxic.

Cons of gel nails:

They are not as reliable and strong as acrylic, although they cost a little more;
- gel nails are very difficult to do on your own;
- it is impossible to repair independently damaged gel nails;
- gel nails cannot be removed by special means (as in the case of acrylic), in this case, one way out is to cut them off.

So what to choose?

Both acrylic and gel have similar results: they strengthen nails and make them long, make hands feminine and sexy. But still, you should pay attention to the above characteristics and make your choice. An experienced master will also help you make the right choice based on your wishes and requirements, the structure of natural nails. By the way, the varnish looks much better on gel nails.

You can achieve a beautiful manicure with the help of nail extensions. This procedure is one of the most requested among women. For its implementation, various materials and tools are used. They build nails based on two types of material: gel or acrylic. As to which is better, there is no clear opinion. To make a personal choice, it is necessary to consider the main characteristics of these funds.

Which is safer to use

Most people are inclined to believe that they cause more harm to the natural plate, since the material for their creation has a more aggressive composition. However, in reality this is not the case at all. Gel materials, like acrylic, belong to the group of acrylates, which contain almost the same composition, and therefore have a similar effect on native nails. An allergic reaction can occur to both materials precisely because the basic composition is the same.

There are also manicure masters who recommend the use of acrylic materials due to their positive effect on the plate. There is no difference between what will be used, gel or acrylic. Both remedies have a negative effect on the nails and do not contribute to their recovery. Therefore, it is safe to say that both methods are not safe.

What's the Difference

The main difference between the means lies in their consistency, as well as the process of application. The gel is a liquid that is similar in appearance to regular varnish. The plates are built up according to the varnish coating method, only special devices are prepared for this. There are several types of material, which gives this method an advantage. In addition, the gel does not have any odor.

Acrylic materials are a powdery consistency that becomes a plastic and thick mixture when a special agent is added.

Acrylic nails quickly harden in the air, which does not require the use of special devices.

When choosing which is better gel or acrylic, you should take into account the professionalism of the master. Since it requires more experience due to the rapid drying of the material. It is quite difficult to make a high-quality manicure in this way.

pros

Gel and acrylic coatings have both pluses and minuses. The difference between materials lies precisely in the assessment of their qualities.

The advantages of acrylic include:

strength;

easy removal;

looks natural;

lower price for services.

Gel extension also has several advantages:

easy to do on your own;

transparency of the material;

shiny finish;

strong adhesion to the natural plate.

Before making a choice, it is necessary to evaluate the disadvantages of the procedure, and then weigh the pros and cons.

Minuses

Neither one nor the other manicure method has significant disadvantages. It rather depends on several factors. So, for example, gel is not recommended in winter, because it is sensitive to temperature changes, and acrylic is more resistant to seasonal changes.

Cons of acrylic:

not suitable for building on the technique "under the varnish";

has an unpleasant odor.

Gel Disadvantages:

looks unnatural;

not amenable to correction after breaking.

The main disadvantage of the gel coating is the process of its removal. If acrylic nails can be removed with a special liquid without damaging the natural plate, then the gel layer is cut off. During the removal process, both the cuticle and the native nail are easily injured.

Application technique

The extension of the nail plates can be carried out by any means. There is no difference between the fact that gel or acrylic will be used to build on native nails, tips or forms. The application technique is basically the same. The procedure takes almost the same time.

The extension of acrylic and gel nails takes place in several stages.

  1. Workplace preparation.
  2. Preparation of the nail plate.
  3. The process of applying the composition.
  4. Finishing coat with finishing agent.

Of particular importance is the quality of the tools used and the experience of the master. When deciding which nails to do best, both of these factors should be taken into account, since poor-quality materials and lack of experience can lead to an unaesthetic manicure.

Peculiarities

At the first stage, the difference between acrylic and gel lies solely in the preparation of the material. The nail itself is prepared in exactly the same way. The plate and cuticle are processed, after which a polymer is applied to the nails.

The procedure differs in the technique of applying funds. For the gel, a brush is used to apply the material. Gel nails harden only under the influence of ultraviolet radiation or a special catalyst. The master must be very careful, since mistakes made during the manicure process may require a second procedure.

The main difference between acrylic is that the product is applied using a specific technique.

The brush is dipped into the liquid, then into the powder. After that, a ball is formed on the brush, which is distributed over the plate. It is best to do this as quickly and carefully as possible, as the material hardens quickly.

Acrylic differs from gel in that if small errors are made, then their correction is possible with the help of a softening agent. When using a gel material, cutting or complete removal of the material is acceptable.

If the gel allows air and light to pass through to the native nail plate, then acrylic does not. Therefore, it is better to treat the nails with an antifungal agent before starting the building process.

When choosing which nails are better to build up - with gel or acrylic -, you should give preference to the material that meets all the requirements. Such a choice is individual. This also applies to the appearance of manicure. Gel has a shiny surface, while acrylic has a matte finish. To make the acrylic coating shine, you need to use additional tools. However, it is acrylic that looks more natural.

Now it’s not enough to know only the basics of manicure, customers have become more demanding and you can’t get off with a simple coating of gel polish. Therefore, the gaze of the novice master rushes to nail extension. And here the question arises, on what to learn to build up, in the first place, and what is generally better than gel or acrylic for building up? In this article, only the technical parts of the issue are described without any opinions or preferences. So let's get started...

Pros and cons of acrylic:

The obvious pluses include the elasticity and density of acrylic. With this quality, it is very easy to create a three-dimensional design on a nail of any complexity. Three-dimensional acrylic figures look quite original and beautiful, not every girl has this, it's a fact.

Due to its density, acrylic does not spread over the nail, which makes it possible to do whatever your heart desires with the “subject”. Thick acrylic is easy to remove the desired shape of the nail without additional effort.

Polymerization of acrylic occurs independently and does not require additional equipment and time. For those who know how to work with acrylic, this is a significant plus. With a stream of customers, every minute can count.

The removal of the acrylic coating occurs in the process of soaking in a special solution for removing acrylic nails. For beginners who do not know how to use the device, this is undoubtedly a plus.

The downside is that it has a strong smell. For this reason, some clients flatly refuse acrylic extensions, thinking that it is more harmful than gel and prefer the second one. In fact, it cannot be said that acrylic is more harmful than gel, their compositions are very similar. They both belong to the same chemical family. But you can't explain it all. In addition, often the owners of beauty salons or express manicure islands completely refuse to use acrylic because of its pungent smell.

Another significant disadvantage for a beginner is the rapid polymerization of acrylic in air. When you are just learning, there is simply not enough time to align the nail plate or mold a beautiful figure. Acrylic dries quickly and then you have to cut with a nail file for a long time to remove all the bumps. It’s good when a beginner learns in training studios from masters with vast experience. But there are those who decide to learn on their own. For independent wizards, acrylic can seem like hell.

The next disadvantage is the lack of gloss. To make the nails look shiny and natural, you will have to cover the acrylic with an additional top coat or varnish. This will add both weight and volume to the nail, which not everyone likes.

Several works with acrylic.


Gel pros and cons:

Plus gel in its diversity. Now you can buy a gel of any consistency and for any preference.

The next plus is self-levelling. Modern gels have such a property that it greatly facilitates the work of both experienced craftsmen and novice craftsmen. The gel lays flat on the nail without leaving tubercles, rather than acrylic, which will have to be filed by hand. This is a definite plus.

The gel retains its gloss for a long time. Unlike acrylic, the gel does not need to be sanded, it itself has a great gloss that lasts for the entire period of operation of the manicure.

The extension gel has practically no smell, which allows it to be used in any salons or, mentioned above, islands of express manicure in shopping centers. This is a huge plus for both beginners and "experienced" masters.

Polymerization of gels occurs only with the help of a lamp and absolutely does not dry in the air. That gives a sufficient margin of time for accurate alignment of the nail plate or for experiments and sculpting figures.

The disadvantages include a more liquid consistency of the gel. It will be harder for them to make a three-dimensional figure like acrylic, but nevertheless it is possible. Although, if we are talking about a novice master, then it is more likely that it will not work. The gel will spread over the nail, preventing the figure from remaining voluminous. Again, it all depends on the degree of gel density. Fortunately, today you can buy a gel for building up any consistency.

Extension gel requires more thorough preparation of the nail plate and more auxiliary elements than acrylic. This applies, first of all, to the three-phase extension system.

For polymerization, a professional gel drying lamp and gel polishes are required. And of course, it takes time from 1 to 3 minutes for each finger, depending on the power of the lamp. This is a significant disadvantage for a master with a flow of people.

The main disadvantage of the gel is its fragility. Acrylic is often preferred precisely because of this shortcoming.

Several works with gel.



So what to choose, gel or acrylic?

First of all, you need to evaluate where you will work. If in the salon where they normally relate to specific smells, then you can work with acrylic. If you got a job as a manicure master in an express manicure somewhere in a shopping center, then of course there can be no talk of any acrylic. Based on this, determine what gel or acrylic is best for you.

The second thing you need to understand what you want specifically from building. If you need perfect highlights or a quick repair of the nail, then of course you should take a closer look at the gels. If the paramount task is design, then acrylic, respectively.

Each master has his own view of what is happening and therefore it is necessary to choose what exactly to work on, based on your own needs and preferences. Each of the pros and cons presented can be reversed for different masters. Choose the materials that are right for you. And remember, what is a minus for other masters, for you it may turn out to be a plus. That's all we have.

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Without little things there will be no perfection! So said the great Michelangelo. Therefore, modern girls are so interested in the formation of an impeccable image that does not bypass women's hands. They should not only be well-groomed, but also attract attention with the right manicure.

To the sorrow of many, not everyone can boast of the ideal shape and condition of nails - here nail art masters have to work, who, using simple methods, are able to create a whole work of art on their nails.

The corresponding question arises - what is the best way to build up nails - gel or acrylic? What material to choose to create the nails of your dreams?

What is the best way to build nails?

To understand this issue, consider the differences in the materials used:

  • acrylic looks more natural due to the possibility of applying a rather thin layer on a natural nail plate;
  • – the procedure is more time-consuming and long, and also requires the use of additional devices (UV lamp);
  • nail modeling with acrylic is suitable for different nail structures, in contrast to the gel coating, which is preferable for dry or normal structure of the nail plate;
  • removal of acrylic is possible not only from the master, but also at home using a specialized tool.
  • removed by mechanical sawing, which should be carried out only by a manicurist.

From these differences, we see that it is impossible to unequivocally say which is better - gel or acrylic. The technologies for using materials are completely different, and their wearing time is almost the same. We recommend that you try extensions with both gel and acrylic, then choose what suits you best.

But it can definitely be argued that the use of this or that material when building up does not have a very harmful effect on the health of the nail plate. In addition, gel and acrylic is a fairly durable coating that will protect your own nails from the harmful effects of external factors.

Before choosing a material for building, you should consult with experts and feel free to go to a beauty salon!

Women should always look beautiful, well-groomed. This applies to any part of the body. Recently, representatives of the beautiful half of humanity began to pay special attention to the condition of their hands and nails, so they began to practice nail extensions. It is worth noting that in our time this procedure is carried out in almost all beauty salons. Many masters can receive their clients at home.

We advise you to contact only good masters, do not rush to go to the first one that you meet at the time of the search, look for several specialists, compare their work, think over everything and make the right decision. Building can be done in two ways - acrylic or gel. Each of them has a lot of both positive and negative qualities. Therefore, let's look at these methods in detail and find out which nail extension is best for girls and women.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel nails

The gel, with the help of which the masters build up women's nails, contains a component called an artificial protein. This protein actively interacts with the natural protein of the nail during extension, which ensures a very strong adhesion of the extended layer to its nail plate.

Experts say that damage to the natural nail is negligible. In addition to applying the gel using this method of nail extension, you can resort to both forms and tips.

Which of these is better, more suitable for a woman, the master is reported to tell. There are two types of gel nails. The first type is light-assisted polymerization. The second is called not light. To make gel nails, you need to combine a pre-mixed polymer with a monomeric gel.

First, a gel is applied to the nail plate, then it is polymerized under a UV lamp, which emits ultraviolet light. If we consider non-light nails extended with gel, the entire workflow will be shorter, because their polymerization occurs by applying a special activator gel. As you can see, you don't have to use a UV lamp here.

The master takes a brush, dips it in a special gel and applies it to the nails. Then he lowers them into the water. It is with the help of this method that the nails harden.

Other benefits

Other benefits of gel nails include:

material transparency. This allows you to create various designs without any problems. You can constantly experiment, use, for example, glitter, try aquarium design, mark dry flowers under the gel, etc. Beautiful appearance. Gel extensions give the nails a natural look. Also, this procedure makes them more glossy than acrylic.

Fast polymerization, no release of toxins by the components contained in the gel, no smell.
Possibility of wearing nails for up to four months.
Affordable prices for the procedure.

Flaws

Consider the negative qualities of this method. Gel nails:

  • capable of cracking due to temperature changes;
  • may break more often (compared to acrylic);
  • are much thicker than natural;
  • not amenable to restoration, repair.

The removal of the gel occurs only using a mechanical method, which is also a minus. Simply put, this method is called sawing. During the correction, gel nails are completely replaced with new ones. In order to avoid infection, various nail diseases, it is forbidden to remove them yourself. After all, cutting off the gel will lead to the fact that you will make your natural nail very thin. Also, with the help of gel extensions, it is impossible to realize a three-dimensional design.

Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic nails

Acrylic is a material that emits a minimum of toxins. True, it has a specific smell. The master must ensure proper ventilation of the room where the procedure is performed, then the smell will not affect the condition of the woman. If the specialist does not provide ventilation, then it is better to think about whether it is worth carrying out the procedure with this master.

Positive qualities of acrylic

Removal of nails can be carried out without filing, which will save the time of removal, do not breathe harmful dust, and do not damage natural nails. To remove acrylic, special solvents are used.

Acrylic nails can be easily repaired, and it is quite inexpensive.

The material itself - acrylic is quite durable, which allows you to make the nail plates thin, but at the same time very strong. This gives them a natural look.

On acrylic plates, you can easily perform modeling or three-dimensional design.

It also has such a texture that can fill any, even the smallest cracks in natural nails. For this reason, they become much more resistant to breaking, are stronger, more durable.

Acrylic nail extensions have several other undeniable advantages. The procedure can be performed on both forms and tips. It began to be practiced much earlier than the gel, so most of the specialists in this field already have vast experience, they know all the nuances, the specifics of how to create nails.

Flaws

The smell that is in the room during the build-up with acrylic can cause allergies or irritation on the skin that comes into contact with the material.

It is forbidden to remove varnish on acrylic nails with acetone, because this tool can easily dissolve acrylic.

Means for nail extension: composition

What gel, what acrylic, contain almost the same components. They are a combination of polymer and monomer. In the case of a gel, the polymer and monomer are already mixed, the polymerization process starts with a UV lamp emitting ultraviolet light. If we consider the acrylic system, in order for polymerization to begin, it is necessary to mix the monomer (its name is liquid) with the polymer.

What is the best way to build nails?

If nail extensions are done in the right way, you will not have to face negative consequences. Yes, when filing, the nails will become much thinner and if you remove the extensions, natural nails will seem thin, rather fragile. All this is natural, you just have to wait until your own nails grow and everything will be the same as before before the extension procedure.

In some cases, the body of women may not tolerate gel or acrylic. Then you have to ask the master what other material he can offer.

It is worth noting that acrylic extensions may not bring the expected effect. Then the nails will not hold well. The reasons for this may be hormonal disruptions that often occur in the body of women. For example, hormonal disruptions occur during pregnancy, treatment with hormonal drugs. In this situation, you can try gel extensions.

Antibiotics, excessive sweating of the hands can have a negative effect.

If you are lost, you don’t know which material is better to use for building, consult a specialist, let him tell you all the features of each method, assess the condition of your nails, and give you recommendations based on this.

It must be remembered that the appearance of the nails after the procedure is influenced by the materials used. The master is obliged to use only high-quality products, tools. Pay attention to all these aspects in order to get beautiful, attractive, durable nails in the future!

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