The Dangers of a Gel Polish Manicure

Gel polish manicures are an attractive and practical solution that last for weeks if properly done; however, they come with their own set of hazards if improper practices are followed.

Before applying a base coat to the nails, they must first be prepared by filing, buffing and wiping with a lint-free wipe to eliminate dust or residue build-up. Following that step, UV or LED curing lamps can then be used to cure it for optimal results.

It’s Long-Lasting

Gel polish offers several distinct advantages over traditional nail lacquer: its lifespan far surpasses traditional lacquer; it features more natural-looking finishes than acrylics; application is simpler; and there are fewer restrictions than with acrylics.

Manicure removals take longer, but most manicurists know exactly how to do it without damaging your nails. Hydrating between manicures is also crucial in keeping nails stronger.

Gel manicures should only be undertaken as needed as frequent visits can put undue stress on your nails, particularly if they’re prone to peeling and cracking. Also be mindful of which colors and thickness of gel polish you select as certain shades may show wear more quickly than others; thinner coats work best, as do lighter colors. Glittery shimmery finishes tend to chip more easily compared to their counterparts and should never be bit off or picked at as this can damage your nails irreparably.

It’s More Expensive

Gel manicures typically cost more than traditional polish appointments due to all of their additional steps, including curing your nails under UV or LED light between coats of color application – an effort which takes two-three minutes per nail and adds considerably to overall time investment in getting this treatment.

Gel nail polish can be more challenging to remove than traditional polishes due to its chemical solvent, making it less than ideal for DIY manicures. To combat this issue, daily cuticle oil applications will keep nails and fingertips hydrated between polishes.

Many nail polish brands now offer hybrid forms of regular nail polish that claim to provide similar chip-resistant, long-term results as a professional gel manicure without the curing process. However, these polishes should not be seen as replacements for gel manicures; for optimal application it should be applied by a trained nail technician.

It’s Time-Consuming

A gel manicure requires much care and consideration for it to look its best. Unlike regular nail polish, which dries quickly, gel nails must be exposed to UV or LED lights before being set completely – meaning you must wait for the polish to dry completely before doing anything that could disturb or ruin it.

There are a few strategies that you can employ to hasten and extend the curing process and lengthen its lifespan of gel polish manicures. Positioning a cool air fan near your nails to encourage gentle air circulation can speed up drying time; briefly immersing fingers in an ice bath may also help harden and set gel polish more quickly.

Daily application of cuticle oil can prevent nails from drying and flaking, which could result in lifting and chipping gel polish. Products like Jinsoon’s Primrose & Honeysuckle Healing Cuticle Oil or Aesop’s Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm provide instant nourishment, making your cuticles healthier and enabling better wear-resistance of gel polish wear.

It’s Not Safe

No doubt about it: gel polish can be harder on nails than regular polish. The process involves applying chemicals and curing them under UV light – leaving your natural nails dry, brittle and cracked after application. Therefore, professional removal must always be sought to avoid long-term damage and cuticle oil must always be used after each manicure for best results.

Worrisome fumes from UV lamps used to cure gel nail polish are thought to contribute to skin cancer and infertility, according to some. As such, the EU recently banned an ingredient known as trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) found in gel nail polish due to links with reproductive toxicity.

TPO may be harmful, but Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist from the University of Cincinnati, assures us not to panic. “The ban is due to studies showing TPO and similar photoinitiators may be carcinogenic or toxic for reproduction,” according to Dobos. However, thankfully there are plenty of gel polishes without TPO available and safer alternatives are readily available in salons that still use it.