Are you someone who has the habit of biting your nails or even constantly picking at them? Are you someone who is never able to have their natural nails but always dreamt of having that perfect manicure?
Say hello to nail extensions – your new best friend that not only makes your fingers look long and pretty but also keeps your natural nails free from relentless biting, breakage and damage.
Here's everything you need to know about Nail Extensions
There are mainly two kinds of nail extensions- and they all boil down to their polymerisation process, ease of removal and nail density.
What is the primary difference between gel and acrylic?
Acrylics tend to be harder than gel, and are typically done by mixing a polymer powder and a liquid monomer to create a dough-like consistency that can be molded into desired shapes.
Gel extensions tend to be softer and more flexible than acrylic ones, and as an add on.
The main difference between gel and acrylic is that the gel is already mixed and just needs to be cured by an LED or UV lamp, while acrylic requires mixing as you go.
What is more durable - Gel or Acrylic?
Flaunt Salon and Spa’s owner and founder Kekashan encourages people to pick the type of extension based on their daily routines or the reason they are getting it done. “Think of a plastic (gel) bottle versus a glass (acrylic) bottle. Although the glass bottle looks harder, it will break when you drop it. The plastic one will be fine,” she says.
Having said that, gel extensions are more durable as compared to acrylic extensions. If you are looking to get extensions for a particular event or celebration, acrylic may be the right choice but if you’re looking for a long lasting and continuous solution, gel may be the right pick.
What causes more damage - Gel or Acrylic?
It is often believed that acrylics tend to be more damaging to the nail, especially since they’re harder to remove and may cause damage to the top most layers of your nails. Gel extensions are a little more flexible as compared to acrylics.
However, both gel and acrylic extensions will not cause severe damage to the nail as long as the application and removal process is done carefully and the aftercare is maintained in a healthy manner.
What type of nail extension is most suited for me?
Flaunt offers a variety of services for everything from your nails to hair- catered according to your needs.
At Flaunt, our technicians first assess your nail strength, its C-curve and nail bed, ask you about your routine and then carefully select a product catered just to your needs. For example, if a client has hard and brittle nails, they need gel extensions to avoid nail breakage, especially at the extension end of the nail. Au contraire, if a client has soft and splitting nails, an acrylic product would be preferable to provide strength. After all, gel and acrylics- both help create masterpieces on ten little palettes!
No matter which type of nail enhancement you choose, if done correctly, both gel as well as acrylics should leave you with long, comfortable, durable, healthy and pretty nails.