Polygel Nails Mix the Power of Acrylics and the Flexibility of Gels

In brief, says Rica Romain, manicurist and nail-care specialist, “Polygel has the power of acrylic, however is lighter, stronger, and extra versatile.” 

How does polygel evaluate to common gel and acrylics?  

When speaking about variations between nail merchandise, Idehen says it comes right down to power. Conventional nail polish and gel polish are the weakest, whereas dip, acrylic, arduous gel, and polygel are extra sturdy. “The cool factor about polygel,” Idehen says, “is that as a result of it has that gel-like consistency earlier than it’s cured, it provides it a bit extra flexibility than acrylic.” 

Common gel polish is versatile and doesn’t present construction or power the way in which polygel does. “It’s simply long-lasting colour,” says Idehen. When her purchasers want to develop out their nails, she suggests a extra sturdy nail enhancement, equivalent to polygel or acrylic, “you can construct with, in order that it doesn’t snap and break on the level of stress, like the place your nail leaves your nail mattress.” 

Acrylic extensions are manufactured from two merchandise: a liquid monomer and acrylic powder, which collectively create a hardened base. (Polygel additionally makes use of a liquid slip resolution to make it pliable.) Says Romain, “Polygel nails will be utilized on prime of a nail type and sculpted to create an extension of the nail, similar to acrylic.” 

However acrylic and polygel differ in how they’re utilized. “[With acrylics], it’s important to understand how a lot monomer you’ll want to decide up with the powder so that you just get the right consistency for the bead earlier than making use of it to the nail,” says Idehen. This facet of acrylic software can take a very long time, with numerous coaching to get them excellent. However as a result of polygel is premixed, “you don’t have to fret about ratios, and this makes it so much simpler to make use of and become familiar with.” 

Additionally, polygel doesn’t have a odor. That is vastly totally different from acrylics, which have that intense scent you in all probability affiliate with strolling right into a nail salon. That sturdy odor typically deters individuals from having their nails completed. 

The final distinction: “Polygel enhancements don’t normally should be eliminated frequently,” says Romain. “The nail development space can merely be crammed in with extra polygel.” 

Can they be completed at house? What are the dangers?

“Polygel will be completed at house,” says Idehen; nevertheless, “it does require all the similar expertise that doing every other nail service requires.” These embody endurance (and for those who’re a newbie, a number of it), data of what you’re doing (extra on this later), and having the best merchandise at your fingertips.