Gel Nails or Acrylic Nails? Which service is best for you?!

Introduction
 If you’ve heard the term gel nails or acrylic nails before but aren’t really sure what the differences are between those nail services are, then this article is for you! We will highlight the differences between these two services to hopefully clear the air and discuss pros and cons of each. So whether you’re the type that won’t be caught in public with natural nails or you are simply looking to try something new, this article is here to provide you with some additional nail service options. Let’s dive in!

Acrylic Nails
What are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylics is an artificial nail that is a combination of both a liquid and a powder. This combination creates an artificial layer on your nail that provides you with additional protection. A nail tip is then applied to your nail followed by the creation of a ball by dipping a brush into a liquid monomer solution and placing the wet brush in the powder polymer. This ball is then place on the bed of the nail. Your nail is then padded into place using the liquid monomer solution. Your nail can then air dry as the final product for acrylic nails is already cured!
Pros and Cons of Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are the most popular artificial nail and we offer this service at all of our salons. Acrylics are affordable option that provides you with a stronger finished product than a regular manicure polish. All of our technicians are trained in acrylic nail application. One of the biggest pros of Acrylic nails are its resiliency. You no longer have to worry about cracks, breaks, or lifting due to its durability.
As far as cons, acrylic nails can look “unnatural” if not applied correctly. That is why we recommend getting this treatment done with an expert technician rather than performing the treatment at home. One of the biggest downsides of the acrylic nail is actually its resiliency during the removal process. Without a trained technician, removing an acrylic nail often results in damaging the bed of the nail which means you may have to suffer through your nail growing out before getting another nail service. Please note that another con is certain healthcare or other work settings do not allow acrylic nails due to the hygiene hazard of long nails which are more likely to trap dirt and subsequently bacteria.

Gel Nails
What are Gel Nails?
Gel nails are quickly catching up to acrylic nails in terms of popularity. Prior to getting your gel nails, you need to determine whether you wish to extend the length of your nail as the new nail tip will need to be applied first. After the optional nail tip, gel nail polish will need to be used and two to three layers of gel polish are typically applied. Once applied, a quick UV lamp will need to be utilized as each layer needs to be cured. Once this step is complete, your nail will have to be filed and polished with your desired color and/or decorated with nail art.
Pros and Cons of Gel Nails
One of the biggest aesthetic advantages of gel nails is their overall appearance. They tend to look more natural than acrylic nails and have an elegant, glossy finish. One of the biggest structural advantages of gel nails over acrylic is that as long as the nails are primed correctly (maybe by one of our trained nail technicians!), then there shouldn’t be any damage to the bed of your nail. Gel nails also cure much faster than their acrylic counterpart. Finally, gel nails are more flexible too. All in all, gel nails tend to be a better final product that our patrons are much happier with; however, there is always a con!
The biggest downside to gel nails is the cost, as they are more expensive per application than acrylic nails. So cost is a big factor in a lot of people’s decisions. Gel nails have been referred to as less durable or long-lasting than acrylic nails as gel nails can occasionally be prone to peeling.

Final Comments
Ultimately, both options are a good choice, but you may swing one side or the other based on your personal taste, desired look, and budget. If you are still on the fence, we recommend trying each service out yourself before making a final decision.