Gel system
Gel system
Gel nails are meant to be a permanent solution for the nails, and not a temporary quick-fix. It offers a strong, bonded base coat to protect the natural nail underneath from cracking, splitting, peeling, and chipping. Gels are odorless, thin, flexible, crystal clear, light weight, natural looking, natural feeling, they do not lift, and are nonporous. Gel nails are similar to acrylic nails as they are both made from a combination of a monomer liquid and polymer powder.
The monomer liquid reacts with the polymer powder to form long polymer strands. When these strands are dried (by curing under UV light, or using a special gel activator), it forms a hard resin resembling a fingernail. Gel nails contain additional short chain monomers known as oligomers which allow more flexibility. Silk or fiberglass may be added to gels when needed, for extra strength or repairs.
Gels are available in two types: light cured and no-light gels. Light cured gels are hardened by placing the fingers under ultra-violet light. No light gel acrylic nails are cured by applying a special gel activator that can either be brushed or sprayed onto the nails. There are also no-light gels which can be cured by dipping the nails in water. UV gel nails harden in about 15-30 seconds and cure in about 2 minutes because they are simple one-component gels.
Gel systems are much thinner than acrylic nails. They are better than acrylic because acrylic nails can cause odors, lifting and nail damage while gels do not. Gels are easier to maintain than ‘natural nails’ because it does not chip. Gel nails reveal natural beauty in combination with strength and durability.
Gel nails are similar to standard acrylic nails in a sense that one can paint, wear French tips, and airbrush designs on them. Gel nails can be filed into square, round or pearl shapes according to clients desires. The mixture used to make the resin is completely odorless, making it safe for pregnant women to wear artificial nails. It typically lasts for up to one month after application.
- Leukonychia Striata/Transverse Leukonychia or the ‘true’ leukonychia.
Just like any other variety of artificial nails, there is a risk of developing a fungal infection during the application process. Therefore the nail bed must be cleansed with isopropyl alcohol before application of the gel. Gel nails may be taken care of by moisturizing your cuticles and getting your nails filled regularly.
The application of gels cost more than other artificial nail systems. A professional nail technician needs to fill-in the gel nail where it has grown out (near the cuticle) or file them down and redo the whole gel nails all over again. The nail technician should be careful not to file the natural nail when taking the gel off. For technicians, gels may be easy to learn but hard to master.