Go gel or advance to acrylic?

That is the question many ask when going to nail salons. Of course, you may change your mind over time, and you may want to get rid of your gel nails favor of a new design or style.

Gel or Acrylic?

Basics About Acrylic Nails – Acrylic nails can be used on the whole nail or only on the tips. When you use acrylic nails, you are applying a mixture of a polymer and a monomer (called liquid acrylic) on your nails. Acrylic powder becomes dry a few minutes after being applied on your nails.

Basics about Gel Nails – If you want to use gel nails, you have to choose between no-light gels and light-cured gels. Unlike an acrylic nail, a gel nail is a pre-mixed monomer and polymer gel applied on your nails before getting cured under UV lights. If you want to go for no-light gel nails, you will have to spend less time waiting in the UV light. Sometimes, you won't even need the light equipment at all. No-light gel nails are cured by a special gel activator that you spray or brush onto your nails. In some cases, the nails are simply dipped in water. Light-cured gel nails are more common than no-light gel nails.

Pros and Cons

Before deciding which artificial nails to use, here is a list of pros and cons of both acrylic and gel nails.

Acrylic Nails

Pros - Once you break your acrylic nail, you won't have a problem fixing it. You can even fix the problem yourself as long as you know how. If you want to remove acrylic nails, a professional can do it easily for you. Your acrylic nails also no longer need to be filed off because soaking will do the trick. Since acrylics are strong; they can last a long time on your hands as long as you know how to take care of them properly.

Cons - Acrylic nails can damage your nails worse than gel nails. They look fake, too. Sometimes, they may look bad if the application was not done correctly. If you want to get rid of acrylic nails, it will take a long time before your nails grow out again. (Tips on how to get rid of acrylic nails)

Gel Nails

Pros - Gel nails look classy, glossy and natural. In just two minutes, curing is done and your nails are ready for flaunting. Mixtures used for gel nails are also odorless.

Cons - Gel nails are not as durable as acrylic and applying nail polish is not advised. Nail polish won't stick to the finished nail, but it does to acrylic nails (For other uses of nail polish, read 25 groovy ways to use nail polish). Once you break a gel nail, you need to see your manicurist as soon as possible because self-fixing is never an option (except when the break is clean and you use nail glue to fix it).

Getting Rid of Gel Nails

What if you get tired of your gel nails? Here are a few things you can do:

Foil Wrap Removal Method – Prepare your gel nails for removal by making sure that all traces of enamel are removed and the enhancement surface is buffed with a 240-grit file. Hold the remover under warm water for two minutes (note: do not exceed five minutes). Saturate a gauze pad, a cotton ball or a cotton pad with remover and put it on top of the enhancement.

Encase the cotton pad tightly in a square of tin foil for sealing and then apply each foil seal and pad individually to avoid evaporation. Soak in this manner for 30 minutes. Check for progress by removing one “wrap” before sloughing the product from the surface of the nail with an orangewood stick or a cuticle pusher.

If the product is removed, buff the surface of your nails to make sure that all gel nails have been successfully removed. Condition your nails and skin by massaging them with lotion and then rinse your hands thoroughly. You can then apply a new product, like nail polish, on your nails.

The Bowl Soaking Method – All traces of enamel should be removed with a 240-grit nail file. Fill a bowl with warm water. The bottle of your remover should be squeezed to remove excess air. Put your fingers on the fingerbowls and then pour the remover on them in an amount that's enough for soaking. Cover your hands with a terry towel and wait for 15 to 30 minutes. You can now lift your fingers off the bowl and remove the layer of gel nail with a cuticle pusher. Again, don't hesitate to buff your nails for best results.

Being beautiful should be more fun than stressful. Get the right information and you'll be able to remove your nail gel in no time. If you want an alternative guide regarding this topic, read how to remove gel nails.