Acrylics vs. Gel Nails

I didnt know there was a difference....

When I ask the difference, the Chinese lady ignores me!

Neither, I'm a nail tech and refuse to wear them. lol Go figure right? They're horrible for your nails. Also, a lot of the Asian nail parlors use dental acrylic (you know, what holds braces to your teeth?). I've worked at salons that BARELY get checked once a year. I watched girls use and reuse files, acrylic, gel, and all kinds of nasty stuff on different people. Can you say fungus? I got out of the business, I couldn't take watching all of the filth that goes on in some salons. Always make sure to give your nails a break from the chemicals, you wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen. *shudders*

Acrylic.

I've never tried gel but apparently they're better on your nail. They don't damage your nail as much [or so they say] and the color doesn't change quickly [like when you get acrylics your nails get yellow in like a week or two? Gels don't do that apparently]

I preferred acrylic to gel. The gel felt less sturdy when I tried it. I wore acrylics for like ten years... loved every second of it.

However, I always just had pink and white french ... I didn't like colors on fakes. Now I love painting my natural nails wild colors, so I'm trying to nurse them back to health.

I didnt know there was a difference....

When I ask the difference, the Chinese lady ignores me!

I used to call all Asian people Chinese too when I was a kid.

I didnt know there was a difference....

When I ask the difference, the Chinese lady ignores me!

I used to call all Asian people Chinese too when I was a kid.

We all look alike.

No, I look different... LOL jk
no for realz tho.. that's hilarious :laugh:

<-- And yes.. we are taking over the world one nail salon and dry cleaners at a time!

I find acrylic leaves the better rake mark scars... I like to make a lasting impression!

I didnt know there was a difference....

When I ask the difference, the Chinese lady ignores me!

:laugh:

I used to have gel nails and I liked them, but they're harder to find than the acrylics. :ohwell:

Have you seen the nails with the seashells on the tips? They look so cute! But I dont know if they are gel or acrylic

they call them seashell nails, but it's really just cellophane glitter, trapped in the acrylic. They put a thin layer of glitter acrylic down, then they press the pieces of glitter into the wet acrylic, then they top it with more clear acrylic. They're lovely, but extra expensive. Sigh.... I love them.....

GEL! They are safer and "better" for your nails. Acrylics are like sponges, absorbing moisture and trapping it between your natural nail and the product allowing for bacteria and fungi to grow. There is an even newer product out by OPI with is like a light resin polish; thin like polish but long lasting like an artificial nail and they have many great colors available. I only will work with gels for the healthy breathing factor as well. Notice the techs wear masks but never offer you one?? Yeah, point made!

I have been a nail tech for 25 years GEL is Acrylic in gel form. They are all plastic forms. Gel is cured by UV exposure and what we all call Acrylic, is chemical reaction of 2 products. SNS nails are simply a mixture of gel and acrylic powder. Not one is better than the other, because when you etch out the top layer of the natural nail, and remove the shine the nail becomes porous allowing the product to adhere tightly. In opening up the nail plates top layers, and adding chemicals, you expose it to damage. This is why nails MUST be soaked off not ripped off with nippers. Removing any artificial nails form without soaking or gently filing them off will pull fiberistic layers of your nail with them. Also, metal electric file bits carve lines into your natural nails plate and weakens them also. 'Tis is why artificial nails get a bad name, because someone removed them improperly. So stop saying feels are better than acrylics. I say if you can grow your own nails then do so. If you are a nail bitter or need extra support and cannot grow your own, then artificial is the key. Nails dont need to breath, but they do have a healthiness to them. So simply be alert and be able to communicate with your service provider. Also, make sure they are licensed (even though some school sell licenses). If your nail tech cant verbally tell you what the difference is between a nail mold and fungus, then they didnt go to a legitimate school and don't understand responsible sanitation or sterilization. There is a difference in those two as well. (The difference between a nail mold and fungus are a nail mold is acquired by moisture getting in between the artificial nail plate and the natural nail and is green in color, then progressively rots the natural nail, turns black and becomes a fungus, which is a vegetable parasite and deteriorates the natural nail. Funus' are very difficult to get rid of and usually require strong medications by prescription (so that lil' green liquid they dab on your nail mold does nothing but make you feel better??) And the difference between sanitation and sterilization is sanitation only subdues bacteria and sterilization kills bacteria. Bleach and UV are sterilizer and the blue liquid they are suppose to soak the implements are sanitizer/hospital disinfectants, not sterilizes.AND your nail tech should know all of this if they really went to school and studied. The problem is most states allow the schools to test and submit documents to the state. The state doesn't test them, like a fully licensed cosmetologist. So if you get a dishonest school, which many exist, they just push these people through collect their money, because the text are only in English, and either falsify or "take" their tests for them and file in the school files for inspectors (cover their butts). Those that's are caught like Orange park Beauty Academy in OP, Florida , finally got busted and the two ladies that recently bought the school, were arrested , prosecuted and fined. I hope this sheds a little light on to what is true lay going on in our industry. I am now a cosmetologist (do everything, nails , hair waxing facial,ect.) and business owner for 23 years.