Gel Nails Vs Shellac Nails

Gel nail polish was one of the earliest newcomers to the beauty scene, offering no-chip color and longevity. Following closely behind was shellac, which combined some of the advantages of both types of polish.

Though both options can help your nails, they do differ slightly in certain key aspects that could impact client preferences or salon operations. Here is the breakdown:

Cost

Shellac manicures have long been popular, while gel nails offer something different and unique. But is the extra expense justified? We polled four manicurists to get their opinion.

Dunne points out that Shellac requires more frequent visits to a nail salon for fills than gel polish, since its lifespan is shorter; however, she emphasizes the speedier process since there’s no waiting for polish to dry before starting work on it.

Shellac can cause skin damage over time due to UV light emitted by its LED curing lamps, though this is usually not a major concern. If your nails need to look their best for an extended amount of time or you’ve sensitive skin it may be wiser to opt for gel nails instead of shellac.

Longevity

To keep your manicure in top condition, it’s crucial that you follow a recommended maintenance routine. This includes using cuticle oil or hand moisturizer regularly and treating any issues with brittle nails as they arise. In addition, visit a professional nail technician regularly in order to ensure the nail polish is applied and removed correctly in order to minimize potential damages to natural nails.

Gel and shellac polishes both offer attractive nail enhancements that last several weeks or longer, depending on your unique nail needs, lifestyle factors and health considerations. One may suit your preferences more than another depending on individual preferences for treatment options.

As a nail tech, it is vital that you are knowledgeable of all of the available options for your clients. By understanding both shellac and gel nails and their respective benefits and drawbacks, you can confidently recommend the appropriate treatment to each of your customers – helping grow your business and ensure customer satisfaction.

Application

As a nail technician, it’s crucial that you possess knowledge about all of the manicure options available to your clients and can assist them in selecting an application method or type of polish that best meets their individual needs. Being knowledgeable will enable them to select one with confidence.

At a Shellac manicure, nails are first shaped and prepped using alcohol wipes to remove oils, followed by the application and curing of Shellac base coat under an LED lamp for 30-60 seconds before colors and top coat are painted over top of it.

Shellac is generally easier than gel polish to apply and take off, requiring no buffing before being removed with acetone. But gel may offer greater durability and variety in colors; therefore it may be preferable for those who tend to put pressure on their nails. Ultimately though, the choice rests with each client; they must evaluate all aspects of both options to select what best meets their nails‘ specific lifestyle and needs.

Removal

When it comes to long-lasting manicures, both gel and shellac nails provide fantastic results. Their primary differences lie within their selection of colours and their removal process.

Shellac is a specialty nail polish that combines traditional polish with gel for durability and added colour, lessening chances of chipping while making removal simpler.

Shellac nail polish removal differs from standard gel nail polish by wrapping each nail in cotton pads soaked in acetone, secured with aluminum foil. This method is less damaging to natural nails than using a remover brush which may cause uneven edges and breaks in natural nails.

Gel offers more choices for colors than shellac in terms of nail care options, with its removal process also being considerably simpler. Brittle or weak nails should avoid gel as its application and removal processes may be too intensive.