Salon gel polish is quickly becoming the go-to nail treatment for those who want salon-quality nails at home. Not only does salon gel polish provide long-lasting effects, but it also resists chips and is easier to remove than regular nail polish. With salon gel polishes in a variety of colors and finishes, you can create beautiful manicures that last longer and look better than ever before.
There's a reason why salon gel polish has become a modern beauty staple: it's virtually indestructible, impossibly glossy, and offered at almost every nail salon. However, what's the most alluring aspect of a gel manicure? Your salon nail polish won't chip the moment you flip open your handbag to check your phone, let alone, in the weeks to come.
In this article, we will explore salon gel polishes. So if you’re looking to upgrade your at-home manicure routine with salon-quality results, read on!
An Introduction To Salon Gel Polish
Salon Gel polish is made up of acrylic monomers and oligomers that bond together when placed under UV light. This process is called curing, and in a matter of seconds, the once-liquid gel turns into a hard, chemical-resistant coating. You can also use an LED light, but that will take two minutes to cure, whereas a UV light only takes five to 45 seconds.
Some studies suggest that nail art with too much UV light can cause skin cancer, but other studies disprove this. a 2015 study published in JAMA Dermatology concluded that the risk of skin cancer from UV nail art is small, but consumers should use physical barrier sunscreens or UVA-protective gloves to limit the risk of cancer-causing and photoaging.
The good news is that salon gel polish itself will not harm your nails. However, picking at salon gel polish can hurt your nails. If you pick at your nail polish and peel it off, you will inevitably strip away some of your natural nails, making them thinner and weaker.
Advantages Of Salon Gel Polishes
Salon gel polishes offer a variety of advantages over regular nail polishes, making them the perfect choice for anyone looking to take salon-quality care of their nails at home. The main advantage is that salon gels last much longer than regular nail polish – up to two weeks or more with proper maintenance. This makes salon gels an excellent choice for anyone with a busy lifestyle who doesn’t have time to constantly reapply regular nail polish. In addition, salon gels are chip-resistant and easy to remove compared to regular nail polish. So if you want salon nails without the hassle of constantly re-doing your manicure or trying to remove stubborn chips, salon gel polishes are the perfect solution.
Things You Need To Know About Salon Gel Polish
1. Let Your Natural Nails Breathe Between Gel Manicures.
Whether you choose a gel or traditional nail polish formula, the truth is that any kind of regular manicure will weaken your natural nails. The manicure process can lead to dehydration and thinning of the nail plate.
But that fact doesn't stop the salon regulars, nor those who make a living from home manicures. Unfortunately, without looking at your natural nail at least once every two weeks, you won't be able to properly assess its condition, plus you may even miss infections and, in some severe cases, tumors. The thick, armor-like coating of nail polish also blocks the nail from being able to transmit oxygen.
That's why you should avoid back-to-back gel appointments to prevent lasting damage. You can take a gel 'honeymoon' and this break will allow your nails to rehydrate and repair.
2. Try Not To Pick At Flaking Gel Polishes.
One thing that's fairly common among gel devotees is the picking process. When the color starts to lift, you may want to remove it, almost like you're removing a scab. As the flaking and lifting begin, water can seep into the nail. This can harbor bacteria and can lead to fungus. Once the peeling stage begins, it's hard not to pick at your nail polish. If you rip it off, you may rip off some layers of your nail as well. This damage can take more than six months to repair.
In one study, the thickness of the nail plate was measured before and after only one gel manicure, and thinning was observed." It is unclear exactly which component caused the thinning, but one or more points in the gel process are responsible.
When applied and removed correctly, the gel is completely safe for continued wear. If the gel is stripped or pried off the nail, this can strip away the layers of natural nails, or if the nail is over-polished before the gel is applied, then the gel can definitely weaken the nail.
3. The Ingredients Of Gel Polish Matter.
It does not just nail health, but whole body health as well. Many nail polishes have "toxic triple" carcinogens in them. Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Clinically tested, at high doses, these ingredients have been found to cause inflammation as well as many other undesirable side effects, such as interference with liver and thyroid function. Fortunately, most professional-grade nail polishes produced today do not contain these "harmful substances."
4. Try To Limit Your Exposure To UV Lights.
A recent study by the American Academy of Dermatology shows that gel manicures may not be a safe option for those who are highly sensitive to UV light. The dose of UV light you receive during a gel manicure is brief, but it's intense. Over time, this intense exposure can build up and cause skin damage.
Another concern is the popularity of LED nail lamps. LED lamps are becoming popular because they have a faster cure time and people believe they are safer than UV lamps, which is not the case. Although many people mistakenly believe that these lamps do not use UVA to cure, they in fact use higher UVA wavelength intensities to achieve shorter curing times. This higher UVA irradiation intensity means that these lights take less time to cause potential damage to the skin.
While you still need your gel fixed, you need to make sure you use broad-spectrum sunscreen, which means it protects against UVA/UVB rays. In addition, the UVA rays from nail lamps are stronger than the usual exposure you get from the sun. Applying sunscreen during a manicure is also logistically difficult. Once the manicure portion of the manicure is complete, sunscreen needs to be applied before the gel is applied, and then the consumer and nail technician need to wait the recommended 20 minutes before applying the gel.
Instead, I recommend bringing your pair of YouVeeShield gloves to protect your hands from UVA radiation (UVA can also cause premature signs of aging such as dark spots and wrinkles. It is the most protective material protects the entire finger and wrist.
5. Think Of Salon Gel Polish As Liquid Acrylic.
Ever wonder how gel nails stay so perfect for so long? The chemical composition of salon gel polish and regular nail polish varies from brand to brand, but the main difference is that salon gel polish can only dry in direct contact with UV or LED light, while regular nail polish can air dry. The application of salon gel polish cures under the light, creating a hardened layer of nail polish that makes it more durable and longer lasting.
The salon gel polish removal process is also more complicated, requiring the nails to be soaked in acetone to properly dissolve the formula on the nail. As a result, not only will they last longer, but they will look harder and shinier while you have them.
6. Hot Baths Or Showers Can Cause Salon Gel Polish To Come Off.
The biggest enemy of gel nails is hot water, so soaking them is the most effective way to make them peel off. Long baths, showers, or time spent in hot water can lead to lifting, so try to avoid these, or minimize them, and always wear rubber gloves when washing dishes!
7. The Soaking Process Can Be Harmful.
While your manicure may stay firmly in place until you're ready to take it off, the process of taking it off can be very harsh. Soaking your nails in acetone wrapped in aluminum foil can make them dry and brittle after a gel manicure. In addition, once the foil comes off, the nail technician may use a file to scrape the nail plate, which can lead to more nail trauma.
Making sure your manicurist applies and cures your salon gel polish properly in the first place can help reduce this damage. A properly cured gel is easily removed with an acetone soak, while an improperly cured gel requires a tool to remove it manually.
8. Give your skin some care after removing a gel manicure.
It is very important to hydrate the surrounding skin and cuticles as well as the nail plate itself with a thick emollient or overnight mask to hydrate and repair the surrounding skin, cuticles, and nails after removing a gel manicure.
9. Hydrate your nails.
You know the importance of drinking plenty of water for good health - the same rules apply to nail health. Also, hydrate your nails as much as possible in between trips to the salon. You can hydrate your nails with vitamin C and coconut, apricot, and avocado oils.
10. Consider using a nail protector for protection.
Want the look of gel without the damage - and the drying time? You can use a painted nail sheet like NCLA with a clear gel coat on top. That way, the gel won't touch the actual nail plate, and it can be sealed in the wrap for up to two weeks.
11. ... or "gel-like" nail polish for use at home.
There is also a range of "gel-like" nail polishes on the market that have long-lasting properties and generally last a full week. Because 'gel' nail polish can be easily wiped off with nail polish remover, it is the safest for clients who simply cannot resist peeling off any nail coating.
Ways To Let Your Salon Gel Polish Last Longer
On average, gel nails last two to three weeks. However, making your gel manicure last longer is as simple as leaving your nails under the light a little longer. If you don't cure your nail polish enough and don't give it enough UV light, then the polish won't be strong enough. Theoretically, if you spend a little more time under the light, you'll get more benefits in terms of durability. If you have the time and your manicurist doesn't mind, put your hands back under the lights for one more round and your manicure will last longer.
Salon gel polish is a great option for getting a shiny, long-lasting manicure or pedicure. If you just had your gel nails done at a salon, there are things you can do at home to make the polish last as long as possible, such as conditioning your nails, adding clear polish, and protecting your nails from hot water.
Ways To Remove Salon Gel Polish
Thanks to its chemical resistance, salon gel polish can't be easily wiped away with acetone and must be filed and/or soaked in acetone for several minutes to loosen the hardened gel from the nail. It's a bit of a process, but it's so important to remove salon gel polish the right way rather than just picking it off.
Conclusion
In conclusion, salon gel polishes offer salon-quality results without the hassle of constantly re-doing your manicure or trying to remove chips. With salon gels in a variety of colors and finishes available, you can create beautiful manicures that last longer and look better than ever before. If you’re looking for salon nails at home, salon gel polishes are a perfect choice. Be sure to read up on how to apply salon gels correctly at home and maintain them for maximum results for beautiful nails that last!