Polygel, acrylic, or gel polish: what's the difference?
Almost every day, manufacturers delight us with new products in the field of nail care. Therefore, today we will talk about what is the difference between polygel, acrylic and gel polish, and what is better to choose for a manicure.
What are acrylic nails
Acrylic nails are extensions on natural nails. In order to make a manicure with acrylic, the nail plate is filed a little to create a rough surface on which the extension will hold better. Once this is done, a special liquid and acrylic powder are mixed together to create acrylic, which is applied on top of the nails as extensions. After the shape of the nail is formed and dried in the lamp, regular or gel polish can be applied on top.
Advantages:
- Long term wear
- Acrylic nails are very hard and resistant to damage.
- Provides a smooth surface for coating
- You can change the length of the nail
Disadvantages :
- They can harm natural nails.
- Most often look less natural than gel polish nails
- During the application process, you are exposed to unpleasant chemicals and fragrances.
- To remove acrylic nails, soak them in acetone.
What are gel nails
Gel nails are not extensions - this coating is formed by applying several layers of gel polish to a natural nail. First, a base coat is applied, then a couple of layers of the main color, and then the whole thing is fixed with a top coat. After application, each layer must be dried under a UV or LED lamp for a certain time.
Advantages:
- Can be done in both glossy and matte finish
- They are more flexible than acrylic nails and therefore flake less
- Dries much faster than regular nail polish
- No unpleasant fragrances during application
Disadvantages:
- Exposure to ultraviolet rays can be harmful to the skin
- Depending on the texture of the coating, you may experience a burning sensation in the area of the nail plate when using the nail dryer.
- If applied incorrectly, the gel may flake off.
- Depending on the type of gel polish, the removal process may also include soaking in acetone
What is polygel
Polygel appeared in the beauty industry relatively recently, so many girls still have no idea what distinguishes it from the previous two manicure options.
Polygel was developed by nail care professionals to combine the positive aspects of both acrylic and gel nails. This revolutionary product uses a mixture of acrylic powder with a gel base. Applying polygel is quite easy: you start with a base coat, then apply a layer of polygel, and fix with a top coat.
Advantages:
- Polygel nails are strong and flexible
- Has a pleasant smell
- Dries quickly in LED lamp
- Nails look as natural as possible and are comfortable to wear
- The coating can be filed off with a nail file and a buffer
Disadvantages:
- Limited color palette (but you can apply gel polish on top if you wish)
- If used incorrectly, a burning sensation on the nails may occur.
- Polygel is much more expensive than other methods
What is interesting about manicure with polygel, I already wrote in one of my previous articles, and if you are a new guest of my blog, I advise you to read it. :)
What is the difference between polygel, gel polish and acrylic?
Polygel, in fact, adopted the best qualities from gel polish and acrylic nails. Unlike hard gels, polygel does not spread, but stays where you put it, and unlike acrylic, it does not harden until you dry your nails in an LED or UV lamp.
Probably the most annoying thing for manicurists when working with acrylic is the very strong smell that can even cause headaches. As polygel is free of monomers, it prevents any unpleasant smell and the manicure procedure is more pleasant for both the client and the artist.
Polygel is also more flexible than acrylic, stronger than gel polish, and lighter than both.
Now that you know how the presented nail coatings differ, it's time to move on to practice! :) And the Pilochka service will gladly help you with this, which provides professional cosmetic procedures in any place convenient for you. Be healthy and beautiful! :)