Thread: Acrylic Or Gel??

I have been getting my nails done for quit sometime now. But I've always used acrylic. I dont like the way my nails look when I take the fake nails off, or how they always break in the middle of my nail, and cause it to bleed and be sore. So it wont hurt for me to switch over and try out the gel. I've heard it was good.

If you are questioning whether to choose gel nails or acrylic nails then I would suggest gel nails because gel nails are extremely natural looking now a days everyone demanding for gel nails rather than acrylic nails. it's so easy to do, apply just like nail polish.

Originally Posted by imported_princess

Last time I got my nails done at the mall, a foreign man worked on them. What do men know about nails anyway?! Well, you are absolutely right!!!! He was using the rough nail file and the buffer machine-thing on my REAL nails. I guess I should have complained. By they way, he did a terrible job!!! After I walked out, I came back a little later and asked for a gentle nail file to smooth out the rough edges he had left on my nails. How do these people get certified?

Your experience is, unfortunately, not uncommon. I'm sorry to hear you were not satisfied with your nails. I can make a few suggestions that might be of help to you in the future?
First, I'd like to make a comment about nail salons in general. I know this will probably not go over well but I feel - as a nail professional myself, that it needs to be said.
In general, nail salons which are located in shopping malls are not salons that I would personally recommend. Typically, these are high volume, low cost salons. The name of the game is these salons is speed. To make a profit, they must get you in, and back out that door as quickly as possible. The technicians take many shortcuts to shorten the service time so they can get you out even faster. Also, inferior products are often used as a way to cut costs and increase their profits. The use of a Dremel drill in these salons is standard practice. The problem is that many of the people using them on your nails have no skills or training in the use of these tools. In addition, the type of drill that the cheaper salons use is not suitable, nor approved for use on nails.
There is a common belief that the natural nail must be 'roughed' up in order for the acrylic to adhere. This is a false assumption. Many of the low priced salons use a chemical called MMA on your nails. MMA has been banned for use on nails in most states, and is illegal to use on nails in several states. It is a hazardous substance when used improperly. It can cause many health problems and illnesses. Why would a salon use such a product when they know it is unsafe? It is dirt cheap to purchase, that's why. There are basically two kinds of acrylic monomer (the 'liquid'): EMA, and MMA. EMA liquid is approved for use on nails by the FDA, MMA is not. EMA liquid costs $225+ per gallon. MMA liquid costs $25-$40 a gallon. EMA adheres to the natural nail easily, and etching of the nail is not needed. MMA requires a mechanical bond to adhere. Thus, the natural nail is filed until it is very 'rough' and then the acrylic is applied. It will not adhere if this is not done. That is the reason so many people end up with paper thin nails. You see, top quality acrylic, or UV gel products are not harmful to your nails, and will not damage them in any way. MMA products, and unskilled techs are the cause of damaged nails. MMA can, and will destroy your nails over time - sometimes to the point of permanent nail loss.
The bottom line: Avoid the low cost, walk in salons. Instead, take the time to find a reputable tech/salon who uses nothing but top quality products and is experienced, skilled, and licensed. You will pay more, this is true. But the end result is great looking, long lasting nails which are well worth the money you pay for them. Plus, your natural nails will not be damaged when done by a true nail professional. People are scared off by the use of 'drills.' A highly skilled nail tech will do no damage to your nails when they use an e-file on them - provided they have been properly trained and certified in the use of an e-file. This is a specially designed tool created for use on nails. Dremels are never to be used on nails. They were not designed for this purpose, and should not be used. Again, profit and cost-cutting come into play. Dremels cost about $40. A good quality e-file will cost $400-$500+.
You mentioned certification in your post. Every nail technician must have a current, valid State issued license prior to performing nail services for people. Unfortunately, many technicians are not licensed, and are working illegally. This is most commonly found in salons which are owned and operated by non-American people. This is not to say that Americans are saints. It happens in American salons too. Again, this is most commonly found in the 'cheap' salons.
One final point I'd like to make. It was said in one post "What do men know about nails anyway?" Fact: Most of the very best nail technicians in the world are....male. You will not find these same men working in a salon that charges $20 for a full set though. For that price, you will get men who don't know much about doing nails. But neither do the women in those salons either. These men are often employed by major nail product companies and travel the globe to compete in major nail competitions. They are representatives of the company. Others are employed by salons, yes. They don't have to settle for anything but the best, so thats where you find them. In the very best salons & spas the country has to offer. A few of them are self-employed professionals whose clientele consists of high profile women including many top actresses and other celebrities. Trust me, the men who do nails for celebrities are very well paid. A typical house call begins at $350, and that's only a basic nail service. Not a bad income for an hour of work, huh? So yes, men do know about nails. Not many, no. But those who do are very talented professionals who are in great demand.
Just my opinion.

Originally Posted by hemarobert

If you are questioning whether to choose gel nails or acrylic nails then I would suggest gel nails because gel nails are extremely natural looking now a days everyone demanding for gel nails rather than acrylic nails. it's so easy to do, apply just like nail polish.

As a rule of thumb, UV gel nails may be easy to do, but they are very difficult to master.
A tech with little or no experience in the application of UV gel nails will not do a very good set of nails. UV gels are not applied 'just like nail polish.' A tech who takes this sort of approach to nails cannot possibly do even a halfway decent set of nails.
When properly done by an experienced professional, nails - either UV gel, or acrylic, are always created individually. They are 'built' to achieve a very natural look. Anyone can take some acrylic, or gel and simply spread it on and call it a nail. Nail structure is very important. Nails must be properly shaped, and take on the appearance of a healthy natural nail. This includes building what is called an 'apex.' When you look at a set of acrylic, or UV gel nails from a side view, they should never look flat. Instead, the nail should begin tapered at the cuticle area, and gently rise upward until they reach a peak toward the beginning of the free edge, then taper downward to the tip. If your nails do not look this way after having them done, they were not applied properly. A flat nail not only looks bad, it also lacks strength and will break rather easily. They should be thin - never thick and bulky looking. It takes much more to do a good set of nails than just slopping on some product and doing a bit of filing to them. Its your hard earned money that is spent when going in for a set of nails, why settle for anything but the very best? As with most other things in life, with nails - you get what you pay for. If you pay for cheap nails, you will get cheap nails. If that's what you want, then that is perfectly fine. Its your money, and its your choice.

gel for me!

Originally Posted by RachL

As a rule of thumb, UV gel nails may be easy to do, but they are very difficult to master.
A tech with little or no experience in the application of UV gel nails will not do a very good set of nails. UV gels are not applied 'just like nail polish.' A tech who takes this sort of approach to nails cannot possibly do even a halfway decent set of nails.
When properly done by an experienced professional, nails - either UV gel, or acrylic, are always created individually. They are 'built' to achieve a very natural look. Anyone can take some acrylic, or gel and simply spread it on and call it a nail. Nail structure is very important. Nails must be properly shaped, and take on the appearance of a healthy natural nail. This includes building what is called an 'apex.' When you look at a set of acrylic, or UV gel nails from a side view, they should never look flat. Instead, the nail should begin tapered at the cuticle area, and gently rise upward until they reach a peak toward the beginning of the free edge, then taper downward to the tip. If your nails do not look this way after having them done, they were not applied properly. A flat nail not only looks bad, it also lacks strength and will break rather easily. They should be thin - never thick and bulky looking. It takes much more to do a good set of nails than just slopping on some product and doing a bit of filing to them. Its your hard earned money that is spent when going in for a set of nails, why settle for anything but the very best? As with most other things in life, with nails - you get what you pay for. If you pay for cheap nails, you will get cheap nails. If that's what you want, then that is perfectly fine. Its your money, and its your choice.

I just wanted to thank RachL for all her helpful information! I'm looking to get nails applied before my wedding, but don't want to ruin my natural nails like all the previous times I've had fake nails. Thank you! Now I know what to look for and that I need to pay for the good stuff!

Polymer nails that use protein bonding are a new, more organic way to enhance your nails without using the damaging chemicals that Acrylic and Gel systems use. You'll see these getting more popular as word gets out.