Beautiful nails on a woman is like jewelry for the hands. Nothing gets as many compliments as a beautiful, french manicure created by artificial enhancements. For decades artificial nails have been the benchmark of success for professional women. That standard still holds true today. The understated elegance is the finishing detail to any outfit, and a great haircut.
The first and most important thing you need to know about acrylic and gel nails is this. Nails enhancements is big business; a billion dollar industry, in fact. You may ask why is this important? Well the answer is simple.
A majority of the fears and rumours you may have heard about gel or acrylic nail enhancements, have been created by manufacturers or businesses who want to capture this market due to the huge amount of revenue which exists in this segment of the beauty industry. Manufacturers tend to say anything to get your money, and are banking on your ignorance as a consumer.
Marketing agencies use two primary strategies to sell products; sex and fear. Manufacturers often times tend to use your own fears against you, by utilizing terms that you may have heard casually, but not totally understand.
For example you may have heard about the dangerous chemicals and toxins that are used to make acrylic nail products. The smell has to be harmful, doesn't it? In short, no. If all smells were dangerous, the goverment would place a ban on changing baby diapers!
Everything inside that little baby port-a-potty is non-toxic, and all natural. That doesn't mean I want to get any of it on my hands. It's important to keep in mind, all-natural, and chemical-free are powerful marketing tools that imply safety, that mean absolutely nothing, scientifically.
So, back to the question at hand. Are gel nail products actually safer then acrylic? In a word, no. Gel is actually, just a partially cured monomer (liquid) and polymers (powder) which is premixed into a gel formulation(gel) which is then applied to the natural nail.
Let me say that again. Gel and acrylics nail products are essentially the same thing. Gel nail services are easier for most estheticians and nail techs to learn and apply. Acrylics tend to have a much steeper learning curve, and also are known to be smelly, which is why most spas don't offer acrylic nail services.
On a side note; beware of any salons or spas that say they use all natural gels products, with no harsh chemicals, as they are also playing off your fears. All gel products, and everything else in the world with the exception of light and electricity is a chemical.
However, the biggest danger with both gel and acrylic nail products that you should be aware of, is the potential risk of over-exposure, which can cause allergic reactions. Most allergic reactions are created by poorly trained estheticians, who are inexperienced or undereducated, who do not take the proper care to keep the products off their clients skin.
Acrylic and gel products are designed to be applied to the natural nail and not the skin. So if your nail tech is getting these products on your skin, and can't seem to apply the product without getting it on your skin. Get a new nail professional, as the one you are using hasn't been properly trained and can potentially cause you harm.
Gel nails are not as strong as acrylic, however there are amazing new products out there which use new sciences such as nanotechnology to make the products stronger, and more colour stable which look a beautiful and finished as an acrylic nail, without the smell.
Let me remind you again, a majority of all nail horror stories have actually nothing to do with gel or acrylic products themselves or the perspective manufacturers. Most nail problems and disorders are caused by improper nail preparation, over filing, over exposure, or nail tech inexperience or a combination of the aforementioned.
So go out and get your nails done, Just be smart about it, and celebrate just being you. Whatever your reason, as long as you find a reputable nail professional which uses good quality products, getting gel or acrylic enhancements is just personal preference.
