Gel Polish vs. Regular: What You Need to Know

Whether you opt for Gel or Regular Polish – How to Choose What’s Best for You both options offer attractive benefits. However, each has its own unique set of considerations.

Gel manicures are known for their long-lasting shine and high-gloss finish. However, the application and curing process can be a little more complicated. And, it may require more skill and maintenance to maintain.

Long-Lasting Shine

When it comes to getting a manicure, the service menu at most nail salons has a dizzying array of options. You can have your nails shaped, cleaned, painted with a rainbow of colors, and even have intricate nail art added on to create the perfect look for any occasion or mood.

But which kind of polish should you get? Regular or gel? This decision depends on a variety of factors, including your budget, style, and nail health needs. Gel polish is a newer type of nail polish that has become popular for its long-lasting shine. It has a more durable formula than regular polish and requires a UV or LED light to dry, making it much less likely to chip or peel.

In addition to the color pigments, a bottle of gel nail polish contains a host of other ingredients that help it perform and stay on your nails, such as stabilizers, rheology modifiers, preservatives, and solvents. It also contains an activator (also called a photoinitiator) that pushes the monomers in the polish to polymerize. The polymer chains are what give the nail polish its durability and strength, allowing it to resist chipping.

To apply a gel manicure, your nail tech will begin by prepping your nails and applying a base coat. Then, each subsequent coat is applied and set under the curing light. The whole process takes longer than a traditional manicure, because each coat has to be cured before it can be added on top of another.

The extra steps in a gel manicure make it more complicated to remove than a regular manicure. If not removed properly, you may experience brittle nails or white spots on your nails that can take months to grow out. It’s also important to follow proper nail care practices during and after a gel manicure, such as moisturizing your nails daily, not cutting or pushing your cuticles, and using cuticle oil to keep them healthy.

Gel polish does offer more reinforcement of natural nails than regular nail polish, but the process of application and removal may be too much for some people. If you’re concerned about the risk of damage to your nails, there are plenty of other nail polish options that may be safer for your natural nails, such as non-toxic natural nail polishes or peel-off polishes.

Variety

When you walk into a nail salon, it’s likely that you’ll be confronted with a dizzying array of options for your manicure: exfoliation, extensions, a rainbow of colors, tips, intricate nail art and more. But one of the first decisions you’ll be asked to make is what kind of polish to get: regular or gel? Bottles of both types will be lined up next to each other, their different-colored caps making it easy to identify at a glance which is which.

Originally introduced in the 1980s, Gel Polish is a more durable and longer-lasting alternative to traditional nail polish. But gel polish requires a different curing process and may require more skill and maintenance than regular nail polish.

The first step in a gel nail polish manicure is to apply a base coat to prepare the nails for color application. Then, a thin and even layer of your chosen gel polish color is applied and cured under the lamp for the recommended time. Finally, a top coat is then applied to protect the color and provide a smooth, glossy finish.

There are many colors and finishes to choose from for your gel nail polish manicure, including shimmer, metallic, glitter, and matte. To ensure you find the right shade for your manicure, look for a color that complements your skin tone and suits your personal style.

A good quality gel polish will last up to 3 weeks without chipping, so it’s a great option for those with busy lifestyles or who travel often. To extend the life of your manicure, always use a high-quality base and top coat. And don’t forget to touch up your nails regularly to maintain their color and shine.

When choosing a gel nail polish, consider the ingredients and brand reputation to determine if it’s right for you. For the best results, use a professional-grade gel nail polish from a reputable salon brand that is committed to safety and quality. Look for a product that contains nail-friendly formulas and provides an in-depth list of ingredients to ensure that your nails are safe from potential irritation.

Convenience

When you walk into a nail salon, there’s often a wide selection of services to choose from. Many of these include exfoliation, extensions, tips, nail art, and of course, regular polish and gel polish. But which is right for you? It all depends on your style preferences and how long you’re willing to wait for a manicure to dry.

Unlike gel polish, traditional nail polish dries naturally with exposure to air. It comes in a variety of colors and styles, from shimmer polishes to mattes, to suit any mood or outfit.

It also offers more options to cover imperfections in the nails, including bumps and ridges. The thick formula helps to hide these imperfections and gives the nails a beautiful shine.

But while regular polish is a convenient option for those who want a quick and easy manicure, it’s not as durable as gel polish. Gel polish requires a special curing process under UV light to set, and it can chip or peel more easily, requiring frequent touch-ups or removal and reapplication.

On the other hand, gel polish is a great option for those who want a more high-end look and want a manicure that lasts for weeks at a time without flaking or chipping. The curing process under UV light also helps to strengthen the natural nails, which can help those who struggle with nail biting or have brittle nails.

But while the convenience of a gel manicure is undeniable, it’s important to note that both types of nail polish are formulated with harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), that can be toxic to the health of the nails and skin. This is why it’s so important to choose a safe and non-toxic gel polish from brands like Olive and June that are committed to creating products that are free of these harmful chemicals. These chemical-free nail polishes are just as vibrant and long-lasting as regular nail polish, but they won’t damage the nails or cause any harm to the environment.

Safety

Gel polish can last for up to 4 weeks and provides a high shine, making it an attractive option for those looking for a longer-lasting manicure. It requires a base coat, color layers, and a top coat that are cured under a UV or LED light to set and harden. Its thicker formula and resistance to chipping make it an ideal choice for people who want a manicure that will last a long time.

Gel nail polishes can contain a variety of ingredients that may be harmful to the skin and nails. These chemicals can include solvents, preservatives, dyes, and fungicides, which can dry out the natural oils in the nail bed and cause it to crack or peel, says cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. Some of these compounds can also be absorbed through the curing process and trigger contact dermatitis or, over time, a delayed hypersensitivity reaction.

Exposure to the UV rays during curing can also increase the risk of sunburn, and some of these products can be flammable, posing a fire hazard. The risk of allergic reactions is lessened if the nail products are purchased from a professional salon and used by a trained technician, Dobos adds.

All nail polishes are polymeric coatings that are applied to the nails and then dries when exposed to air, but gel nail polish is different because it uses a special chemical called a photoinitiator (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO) to turn liquids into solids, says Dobos. Drugstore brands that use the term “gel” in their name often simply have regular nitrocellulose-based polishes with fancy copolymers added to enhance wear and chip resistance.

In addition, gel products can create a thick layer of material on the nail that is difficult to remove, so soaking in acetone is required to get the product off. This can be a pain and makes it more likely to damage the nail, especially when it is done frequently.

The good news is that most gel nail polishes sold in the US have ingredient and safety information available on their packaging and websites, as required by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, some sites are easier to navigate than others and it is important for any consumer (pro or DIY) to have a clear understanding of the products they are using, including the risks involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does a gel manicure last compared to a regular manicure? A gel manicure is designed for durability and can last anywhere from two to three weeks without chipping. In contrast, a regular manicure typically lasts for about 5-7 days before showing signs of wear and tear, depending on your daily activities.

2. Is a gel manicure healthier for my nails than a regular one? Regular polish is generally considered a gentler option for your natural nails as it does not require UV light to cure or an extensive removal process. However, when applied and removed correctly by a professional, gel manicures do not cause significant damage. The key is proper technique and aftercare.

3. Does the UV lamp used for gel polish damage my skin? The UV lamps used for gel polish emit a very low level of UV-A light. While the exposure is minimal, you can request to have a broad-spectrum sunscreen applied to your hands or wear fingerless gloves during the curing process for extra protection.

4. Can I get a gel manicure if I have thin or brittle nails? Yes, gel polish can actually provide a strengthening layer for thin nails, helping to protect them from breakage. Your manicurist will assess your nail health during the consultation and can recommend a gel formula that is best for you.

5. How is gel polish removed, and can I do it at home? Gel polish must be removed by soaking the nails in acetone, typically with a cotton ball wrapped in foil, to break the bond. It is not recommended to peel or chip the polish off, as this can severely damage your natural nails. We strongly advise professional removal to ensure your nails remain healthy.

6. Is there a significant cost difference between a gel and regular manicure? Yes. Gel manicures typically cost more than regular manicures due to the specialized products, equipment (UV/LED lamp), and skill required for application and removal. However, the extended longevity of a gel manicure can make it a worthwhile investment.

7. Can I apply nail art or designs with both gel and regular polish? Yes! Both types of polish can be used for beautiful nail art. Gel is often a great choice for intricate designs as it allows the artist to work on a design and cure it without worrying about smudging.

8. What’s the best way to make my gel manicure last as long as possible? To maximize the life of your gel manicure, avoid using your nails as tools, wear gloves when doing household chores or gardening, and apply a high-quality cuticle oil daily to keep your nails hydrated and flexible.