October 27, 2008 5:17 AM GMT
Lucy,
I can help you out. I started with acrylic nails, and eventually went to gel. Essentially, there are no major differences with their application, other than the basic materials used.
Personally, I couldn't live without this little extravagance, my nails are so thin and paper-like, I'm unable to maintain any length at all without my gels. I work extensively with hand tools, wiring, and installing equipment in information centers, vehicles, locomotives and offices, so my nails were constantly getting broken, chipped, and damaged in every way imaginable. (Telecommunications technician for the last 30 years or so.)
If your nails are not grown out to the length you desire, a plastic extension will be glued onto the end to establish a supporting base for the additional length. Then the technician will dip a brush into a solvent, then into a very fine powder which will adhere to the end of the brush as a soft plastic material which will be quickly patted down and shaped on top of the entire nail and plastic extension if used. As far as I can tell, the chemical composition of the solvents and powders are the primary differences between acrylic and gel.
The plastic material sets up rather quickly, and is then further smoothed and shaped into the final desired shape. At this point, there is another difference between the acrylic and the gel. With the acrylic, they're now ready for nail varnish and a topcoat. For the gel however, a thick clear gel is applied and cured under UV light, which causes an oily substance to come to the surface, which is then removed with alcohol. Now, the gel is ready for varnish and topcoat.
My experience with both types has been very good, however the gel nails seem to be much more durable and less prone to breakage, which is perfect for me.
The downside for both types:
Constant upkeep and expense. Depending on your rate of nail growth, you'll need to have them 'filled' about every two weeks. You are correct, the gap between the cuticle and the acrylic/gel material needs to be filled to maintain a smooth appearance, and if you're using a nail color, there will be a color void there as well. (not so noticeable if you're not using a nail color) My maintenance cost is about $50-$55 per month.
Keeping them filed to a preferred length is quite easy to do, but removal can be quite difficult and uncomfortable, so it not something you'd want to do regularly. The acrylic/gel bonds very well to the surface of the nail, so removing them causes quite a bit of damage to the top surface of the nail, leaving them thin and rough.
Some surgeons will insist that they be removed before any type of surgery, as the nail beds are a good visual indicator of the health of one's circulatory system.
I hope that I've been of some help.
Nicole
October 30, 2008 12:18 AM GMT
Thanks Donna and Nicole, that was really helpful. The process was exactly as you described Nicole, and it seems I was originally given false information in that gels do indeed cover the whole nail in the same way as acrylics, as you pointed out.
My friend and I both opted for gels, which look and feel fantastic. I had mine done in a lovely burgundy and the colour is still immaculate after a day and half, which is a first for me! I think the brand of varnish they used is called OPI. It’s great to have long nails again, and they feel so strong and healthy, though I am of course being really careful with them!
I shall have to file them down a bit after my holiday (I’m a keyboard player), and don’t know yet if I will bother to get them filled regularly. If I can disguise the gap with lots of basecoat and re-painting I may just let them grow out, or remove them entirely, or I might just get so used to having such good strong nails I will bear the expense of getting them filled regularly. Time will tell.
I do love a good bit of pampering and would recommend it to anyone, well worth treating yourself to a professional manicure, the difference is amazing.
xx