With much greater durability than regular nail polish, gel nail polish is the new favorite. Know the pros and cons of the product.
Firstly, if you are also passionate about nail polish, you may have already heard about gel nail polish and its various benefits. In fact, those who have already used it guarantee that its main advantage is that it lasts much longer than common nail polishes.
Therefore, gel nail polish already wins a lot of points for this, right? Especially because, when we go for a manicure, we expect our nail polish to last as long as possible, without peeling off.
For those who dream of perfect nails for more than a week (much longer, in fact), gel nail polish is a great choice. And, slowly, it is arriving in Brazil with a lot of variety.
So today we will learn more about this new product, how to use it, the benefits and of course, the main differences between gel nail polish and regular nail polish.
Benefits of gel nail polish
First of all, we need to understand what exactly the famous gel nail polish is. Technically, it is a nail polish with a gel texture, which has chemical active ingredients that are activated by light, consequently forming a rigid film on the surface of the nail.
So, basically, in addition to ensuring more shine for your nails, gel polish can last more than 10 days intact. In fact, it is very resistant to these everyday activities.
Plus, you don’t need to be using nail extensions to use it. This is because gel polish can also be applied to natural nails. However, in the case of gel, fiber or porcelain nails, the durability is even greater.
What’s more, many women claim that gel polish can help lengthen their nails, or more or less that. Because, in fact, what it guarantees is a “little push” for them to grow naturally, making them more rigid.
Another advantageous feature of this product is the fact that it dries quickly. In other words, you leave the salon with dry nails, and without the risk of smudging or damaging the paint.
Differences between gel nail polish and regular nail polish
In principle, traditional nail polishes can last around 7 days or so. That is, it depends on the nails, the quality of the nail polish and, of course, the person’s care. Therefore, its lasting capacity varies greatly.
Gel nail polishes, as we said, can last around 10 days. However, there are those who say that the durability of gel nail polish changes depending on the colors. In other words, the darker ones can last around 15 days, while the lighter ones, 20 to 25 days.
Above all, gel polishes leave your nails with a little extra shine. That is, compared to common nail polishes. And, finally, it is important to make it clear that gel nail polishes, like regular nail polishes, do not have usage restrictions. Unless, of course, you are allergic to the product.
Therefore, anyone can use this type of nail polish. Including those who complain about nails that peel easily, and that nail polish usually doesn’t last long because they use their hands a lot in everyday tasks.
Step by step to use gel nail polish
So now that you know more about gel nail polish and its benefits, it’s time to learn how to use this interesting product. Therefore, check out the detailed step-by-step instructions so you don’t make mistakes and have nails intact for much longer:
1st step
In principle, the application of this type of nail polish varies according to each professional’s technique. However, there are normally seven steps to apply this nail polish. First of all, a fixative is applied to prepare the nail and remove the shine. And, of course, eliminate remnants of previous nail polish.
Next, it’s time for the antiseptic to eliminate bacteria. Soon after, it’s time for the dehydrator to remove oil from the nails.
Finally, just apply a fuse to balance the PH of the nail, so that the gel has good adhesion and doesn’t let it dehydrate.
2nd step
Above all, the second step also varies from technique to technique. The most advisable thing, however, is to apply a primer to open the nail pores. However, many do not use it.
In fact, if you do your nails at home, don’t forget to check which primer you are buying. Well, there are primers for each type of nail.
3rd step
The next step is to apply the nail polish, in the color of your preference. In fact, before using gel nail polish, it is important that you shake and mix it beforehand. This way, you won’t have problems with bubbles and stains in the final result.
Of course, you need to be careful when removing excess nail polish. Because if there are traces of nail polish left on the nail, and you put it in the LED or UV booth, it will probably peel off and have less durability.
4th step
After all the care, you can place your nails in the LED or UV ultraviolet booth. In this cabin, it is important that you leave your nails on for approximately three minutes. That is, it depends on the tone of nail polish you used. If it is a nail polish with more than one layer, for example; You will probably need more than three minutes.
After time, you can apply sealing enamel to give it more shine. Then, you need to leave the nail in the cabin for another three minutes. Then, your nails will be dry, and without any risk of accidents. And it won’t be necessary to do weekly maintenance as long as the enamel is intact and/or shiny.
In general, gel nail polish requires more practice and techniques. Therefore, it is considered a little more complicated to work with than common nail polishes. In fact, if it is applied incorrectly, the nail polish will probably peel off more easily.
Even when removing it, you need a special solution. It is also necessary to keep your nails always hydrated, to avoid damage when it is removed.
Nail care and contraindications
Even though it’s great to always have your nails up to date, it’s not advisable that you always wear gel polish. Basically, because the products used to remove these nail polishes can damage your nails.
Basically, these special removers are more powerful, and can remove some good components from the nail. Therefore, dermatologists recommend using removers with oils, which help keep water on the inside of the nails. In fact, it is necessary that you always keep your nails hydrated to avoid drying out and breaking.
Furthermore, there are other points to highlight about using gel nail polish. For example, the recommendation to carry out the application with a professional specialized in this type of work. This way he will take special care to avoid any damage to the nails, as well as increase the longevity of the nail polish.
It is also very important to avoid removing the cuticle too much, as it is a protective barrier for the nails. So, if you have inflammation or infection in your nails, do not apply gel polish to avoid making the situation worse. For children under 12 years of age, pregnant women or people undergoing cancer treatment, the use of this type of product is not recommended, especially due to exposure to LED or UV light.
And lastly, and not really important, the sanding done before applying the nail polish can compromise your nails, so be especially careful at this stage to avoid damaging your nails. This way, if you pay attention to these points, you can use gel nail polish without worry and safely.
Pay attention to changes in the color of your nails
But, if your nails are very fragile and brittle, the use of gel polish or remover may not be entirely to blame. Doctors warn that these could be signs of health problems. Such as, for example, thyroid changes, anemia, rapid weight loss or lack of protein.
Therefore, it is important to observe the health and appearance of your nails, as they may indicate a bigger problem than just dryness or fragility.
1- A whitish one
Above all, if this is your case, it could be a change in the nail matrix. This can occur due to kidney dysfunction, anemia, medication use or trauma when removing the cuticle. Or, some spots may appear spontaneously.
2- A yellow nail
In general, nails can turn yellow due to the action of fungi. Or, due to the increase in beta-carotene, which is a pigment present in carrots, beets, pumpkin, mango and papaya, the use of medicines or residues of nail polish that pigment the nail plate
3- Brown nail
This case may be due to fungus or trauma. In fact, it is more common in black people and in toes, which are damaged by tight shoes. It is worth noting that if it affects the entire nail, it could be a sign of melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer.
4- Blue or reddish nail
And finally, this case is a little more serious as it may be the result of autoimmune diseases, which increase the vessels in the cuticle and can leave the edges red. Furthermore, it can also be due to the use of medications, vascular changes or psoriasis, which is a chronic skin lesion.
Anyway, what did you think of our article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out: How to do nails at home? Step by step divided into 5 tips
Sources: G1.Globo, Tudo sobre make, Cutelaria do Saías Dicas de Mulher
Featured image: What I was going to say
