Gel Nails or Acrylics? You Decide

With the newly introduced gel nail slowly taking over is the old fashioned acrylic nail going to die out.  The gel nail seems to do everything an acrylic can and more so what’s the big deal, what exactly are the differences.

When the first acrylic nails were invented back in the 1970s they weren’t quite what they are today.  It was actually dental acrylics which were used at first but they caused several allergic reactions before they were then slowly developed into the acrylic nails we see today after a long length process.  They were considered stylist and everyone who was anyone had to have them, a luxury for those who could afford it.

The acrylic nail is easier to maintain than your own natural nails and can also come in all sort of colours.  You can choose from a range of different tip and acrylic colours and many patterns can be added for that extra little bit of glamour.  All the big names wore them on the red carpet but it has its disadvantages too.

You have to be very careful with you acrylic especially if you’re cleaning.  Certain chemicals can cause the acrylic to melt and ruin the nail.  The other problem many face is the condition the nail is left in once the acrylic is removed.  Sometimes, if your beautician files the nail too far, it can leave the natural nail underneath thin and weak.  Once the acrylic is removed the nail can become prone to breaking.

And that’s where the gel nail comes in.  This has all the same advantages as the acrylic and more.  The range of colours and designs is just as great and it’s just as quick and easy to get done.  In fact in most salons now the gel nail is slightly cheaper and takes slightly less time.  Gel nails are also slightly better if you constantly have your hands in water or near chemicals such as cleaning fluids as it is slightly harder to remove.  This is because instead of filing your nail down then adding the new nail like with acrylic, they apply the gel to your natural nail and uses it to enhance what you all ready have.  This helps to prevent any weakening of the nail like with acrylics.  The finish looks more natural than acrylic and last just as long and just like acrylic you can have in fills so you don’t have to redo the whole nail every other week.

The only real disadvantages of the gel nail are that the remove process takes a long time.  This is because instead of soaking them in chemical to remove them they have to file the gel off.  Also in order to have gel nails your natural nails have to be in quite good condition and quite a good length as they work with what you already have.

Each type of nail gives you a salon performance look that anyone would die for and they both have their advantages.  Yet the gel nails seem to be taking over despite their similarities.  Is it because they look more natural and damage the nail less, or is it that the acrylic nail has become old fashioned technology which has had its day?  Either way the nail of the future seems to be the gel nail so the next time you’re in a salon why not give it a go.