Gel Nails Vs Shellac Nails

Gel nails can make your nails look sleek and chic, yet there are some things you should keep in mind before getting a gel manicure.

As picking at shellac and gel nails can lead to damage, it is best to have them professionally removed at a salon visit by an experienced nail technician using an acetone soak.

Long-Lasting

Although both Gel and Shellac nails offer long-term manicures, it’s essential to understand their differences. Gel nails are composed entirely of pure gel, lasting up to three weeks without chipping; while Shellac combines elements from both these forms.

Shellac manicures tend to be easier and gentler on natural nails than gel manicures to remove due to being hybrids, as the latter requires buffing or scraping for removal.

Price may differ depending on the salon (Mayfair nail salons tend to be more opulent), but expect to pay around PS20-PS35 for a Shellac mani. Professional application ensures less damaging removal.

Easy to Remove

Shellac, developed by CND (Creative Nail Design), combines gel and traditional polish. It contains methacrylate monomers and radical initiators activated by UV energy to harden and polymerize products.

Although Shellac can be removed at home with cotton balls soaked with acetone and foil, it’s strongly advised that a trained technician apply and remove your manicure professionally. The application typically involves three coats: base coat, two colour coats and top coat.

Gel nails are a popular choice among those seeking longer-lasting manicures that still look glamorous. Available in an abundance of colors – over 300 choices! – knowing all of these treatments will enable a manicurist to confidently advise their clientele and offer solutions tailored specifically for them. Staying abreast of new innovations such as Shellac can further your knowledge base on what options exist.

Variety of Colors

Shellac from CND is an innovative hybrid nail polish that combines elements of gel and traditional polish. Curing under LED or UV lights to harden its formula requires methacrylate monomers and radical initiators which activate when exposed to energy from these wavelengths; they then begin polymerizing.

As Shellac manicures contain regular polish, they may chip more easily than their counterpart, the Gel Nails. But this doesn’t turn people off; many prefer its vibrant hues and 14+ day durability of Shellac.

Shellac nails are generally easier to take off than their gel counterparts, which require an extended acetone soak prior to removal. Though there may be at-home hacks promising easy removal of gel polish, professional removal should always be sought as picking or peeling at your nails can cause significant damage that compromises their strength over time – which in turn harbors bacteria and fungus which may cause discoloration as well as permanent nail damage.

Affordability

Gel nails and shellac are relatively affordable ways to give yourself gorgeous nail looks that last weeks without chipping or peeling; plus, these treatments don’t soak your hands too long in hot water either!

For an alternative and natural approach to gel manicures, try finding a salon offering BIAB nails – they utilize a non-toxic soft gel builder free from dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde that produces strong chip-resistant effects and costs less than their conventional counterparts.

Cost of gel manicures varies based on where you reside and the caliber of salon – expect to pay between PS20-PS35 in London for professional manis, plus removal cost which typically requires an extended acetone soak.