A gel manicure looks great and is incredibly long-lasting. But it’s not necessarily good for your nails or for the skin around them.
The chemicals in gel Gels à ongles polishes, known as methacrylates, can trigger a severe, itchy rash on the hands and fingers. This can spread to the face, neck and upper chest.
What is a Gel Manicure?
A gel manicure is a color-coated gel polish that is cured under a UV or LED nail lamp. The curing process is what gives the nails their strength and glossy finish. It takes a little longer to dry than traditional nail polish, but the result is an extended wear that lasts up to three weeks without chipping.
Some people claim that regular gel manicures are wrecking their nails, but it depends on how they’re handled. According to experts, if your nails are properly prepped before the application and removed with an acetone soak, they shouldn’t be damaged by the procedure.
To remove the gel polish, nail technicians will first apply an acetone-soaked cotton ball to each fingernail and wrap them with aluminum foil to hold it in place. After about 10 minutes, they can gently ease off the polish with a cuticle pusher or stick. Nails are then rehydrated with cuticle oil or serum to prevent drying out.
Hard Gels
A popular type of gel is called hard gel. This product has a thick consistency and is applied like nail polish, though it requires curing under UV or LED light.
It can be clear or colored and is often used to extend the length of natural nails (nail extensions). It is sometimes referred to as builder gel, structure gel or sculpting gel.
Onishi says that although hard gel can crack, just like acrylic nails, it is less likely to do so because of its flexibility. This also means that when it does crack, it will do so with less trauma.
Another benefit of hard gel is that it allows you to create any nail shape imaginable. You can go from Cardi B’s super pointy stilettos to a more modest oval shape with this product, as well as add length and thickness to your natural nails. Hard gel can even be sculpted into raised texture for a truly unique look.
Soft Gels
Soft gels are a type of capsule that is used to deliver liquid formulations. They are hermetically sealed and provide protection against UV rays and oxidation. The shell can be made from animal- or vegetable-based gelatin and the contents can contain a variety of liquids, suspensions and pastes.
The ratio of gelatin, water and plasticizer can be adjusted to adjust the physical characteristics of the shell. This will affect its hardness and stability. Additionally, there are a variety of standardized plasticizers available such as glycerin, sorbitan, castor oil and various esters.
The patented StabiCaps range from Rousselot Functional Ingredients is an ideal excipient for softgels because it reduces cross-linking behavior in the shell, improving API release and shelf-life stability. This is particularly important when using high-potency APIs, requiring high levels of API uniformity in the dosage unit. This also helps to minimize viscosity variations in the final product. The resulting capsules are very stable and can be formulated for different release profiles – from fast absorption in the stomach, to enteric release for a long-lasting effect, or delayed release.
Gel Polish
In a gel polish manicure, the polish comes on top of a base coat and cures under UV light. The process is quick, and the finished product lasts much longer than a regular nail polish manicure.
However, the curing lights used for gels expose nails and hands to a short burst of ultraviolet radiation, which some dermatologists worry about. They recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen on the fingers before getting a gel manicure or wearing UV-blocking gloves to protect the skin.
Gel nail polishes have a price tag that exceeds traditional lacquers, but the long-wearing, chip-resistant finish is worth it for some. To make the most of your gel manicure, rehydrate the nails between applications by using a moisturizing oil or cuticle lotion to keep the nails healthy and looking great. When you’re ready to remove your gel nails, follow the product’s instructions for soaking and removing it without damaging the nails or cuticles. And remember to be gentle when buffing, as too much can cause dryness and brittleness.
