Gel Nails Explained: 4 Key Factors to Know (Benefits, Costs, Longevity & Expert Care Tips)

Whether you’re a gel nail enthusiast or just curious about giving this long-lasting polish a try, gel nails have quickly become a beauty favorite for their durability, shine, and versatile style. Loved for staying chip-free through the busiest workdays, active vacations, and hands-on tasks, gel nails offer a level of convenience that’s hard to beat. But alongside their popularity, questions remain about their safety, cost, and lasting effects—especially with the UV curing involved.

However, what is the true history of gel nails? We will dive deep into all aspects of gel nails from gel technology to exploring its advantages and disadvantages and safety measures to help you make an informed decision for your next manicure.

What is Gel Nails?

Gel nails are an enhanced manicure service that combines traditional nail care with innovative technology. After standard nail preparation (cutting, cuticle trimming, and shaping), the technician applies specialized gel polish in layers. Each layer is cured under a UV/LED lamp for approximately 60 seconds, instantly setting the polish. This curing process eliminates traditional drying time and provides immediate smudge-proof results, making it a time-efficient alternative to conventional manicures.

One of the reasons why gel service is in great demand is the resistance it offers:

Gel manicures are more resistant to chips and wear and tear, They also stay glossy for the duration of the manicure.

Tuttle Gibson

How Long Do Gel Nails Last?

The unique curing technique employed in gel nails makes them famous for their longer stay of 10 days to three weeks. It is clear from the words of nail expert Totty that “a gel manicure is capable of withstanding wear and tear for about three weeks. However, that can only be so as the natural nails grow and everyday wears off the fresh look. Anything further than that begins to extend the fresh look of the…”

In order to ensure that the gel look last longer, strengthening base gels are heavily used in many salons as they allow the nails to look longer without any wear and tear.

While the use of color polish gives more wear than a traditional lacquer, how it will wear is primarily dependent on the application method. The nail bed also should be free from any water, oils, lotion, etc., since that will definitely affect the bonding. That residue will most certainly inhibit the proper adherence of the polish. This is an easy step prior to applying the gels but helps in living up to the expectations of long lasting results.

Even if the gel nails is, anti chips and anti breakage technology at it’s finest, a chip may still occur due to light and or heavy handling. In the case of a chip, reach for a nail file to reshape all the rough edges. “File it to a shape you love and leave it be if possible,” Gibson Tuttle advises. Alternatively, if the damage is significant and you are unable to visit the salon soon, only the area of the chip that is missing can be filled in with a matching nail polish in case you have to cover a chip.

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The Cost of Gel Nails

Primarily, gel nails prices are usually 10 to 15 unpredictable over and above the general manicure charges; however, the range differs widely depending on geographical location and the salon in question. In metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York City, gel nails prices will roughly be between $30 and $50 or more depending on aggravating factors such as the salon or the skills of the technician.

And besides the primary price, I would like to inform that for most people, there is always an extra charge for the process of uninstallation of the gel, usually about 5-15 dollars in case one opts to remove it by a professional. It is true that some may prefer to avoid the cost and removal at home, a nail salon removes the gel so as not to harm the nails. For most people, this added expense would be considered reasonable with the usefulness, durability and perfection of the application gel nails.

Are Gel Nails Safe?

The primary safety issue concerning gel nails is the use of UV lights and their associated dangers, which include possible carcinogenic effects. The idea is that those little UV machines that are used to dry or ‘cure’ gels on the nails can also pose the same risk of causing skin cancer as tanning booths – this was a relationship that was investigated in a study published in January 2023.1 According to the article.

there is not enough evidence to specifically state how often to get gel manicures [to remain safe]

Garshick states.

Nevertheless, she points out that it is better safe than sorry. In addition to limiting the number of gel manicures, she advises to “avoid exposure to UV rays by using sunscreen or UV blocking gloves” while having such a procedure done. (Any broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is recommended, but you can find our favorite hand sunscreens here).

Also, these LED concerns gave rise to many salons switching over from the possibly harmful UV lamps, claims Totty.

In the past few years, gel manicures have become one of the most sought-after services in every beauty salon. The effects on the skin and nails have been well documented; the old-fashioned UV devices that were employed to dry such products come with entirely different bulbs to those of ‘tanning salons,’ therefore, the majority of nail brands are migrating to LEDs because they harden the polish in thirty seconds instead of two to three minutes with UV.

Totty

Can Gel Nails Damage Your Nails?

Not only does UV exposure during gel Nails pose a threat, but the use of gel polish itself can be detrimental to the health of one’s natural nails as it is an extremely drying polish. This polish can cause nails to become weak or even brittle especially if the polish is applied persistently without any breaks. Nevertheless, nail professionals maintain that incorrect jelly nails removal is mainly responsible for the nail damage.

The biggest disadvantage to gel nails is improper removal. Making the effort and taking the time to remove the polish (and the person doing it is patient) at home or found a manicurist who removes gels with care goes a long way in ensuring the nails remain healthy

Gibson Tuttle

To help natural nails stay strong, experts advise that you should allow your nails to rest in between the applications of gel polish – using different patterns such as gel and normal polish manicures or abstaining from polish for a week or two gives room for the nails to heal and avoid excessive drying. Additionally, using cuticle oil in between appointments helps in restoring moisture and reinforcing the nails to prevent damage even with frequent gel applications.

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How to Safely Remove a Gel Manicure

It is always a good idea to go to a spa when removing a gel nails (most people charge around $10 to $15 for this service). But when that is out of the question, such procedure can be carried out at home, however, it will require a significant amount of time and patience. First of all, gelish nails shouldn’t be torn or scratched from the nails, as they may tear the outer surface of the nail. Here you will find the complete guide on how to remove gel polish without risking your natural nails.

First, file the gels to break the topcoat seal. Then, place cotton balls soaked in pure acetone on your nails and wrap your fingertips in tin foil.

Gibson-Tuttle

Let a nice polish dry for about 10-15 minutes before trying to remove it. After the time has elapsed, take the wooden stick and carefully scrape off the polish that is still on the nail. The gels should come off easily for the most part; they should not require much pressure and pushing. However, if the gels that are adhered to your natural nails are not coming off with some effort, soak the nail in acetone for another 10-15 minutes and repeat the process.

The three specialists agree that a cuticle oil or serum will be your best friend after a gel manicure. “Your nails will be on the brittle side because of the usage of the removal solution so it is crucial to hydrate your nail after the procedure,” Lim explains. Also, we advise you to “slug” your nails with something like Vaseline to make sure they don’t dry out completely.

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If you’re dreaming of the perfect autumn manicure that won’t chip away before the leaves start falling, gel nails are your seasonal savior. As highlighted in our recent 10 Cute Fall Nail Designs For 2024 post, these long-lasting manicures are ideal for showcasing everything from cozy sweater patterns to gleaming copper foils that capture the essence of fall.

A single appointment can give you chip-resistant, glossy nails for up to 20 days – plenty of time to show off those trendy pumpkin spice-inspired designs! Just remember to prioritize nail health by choosing LED over UV curing, wearing sunscreen, and always having a professional handle the removal process. Skip the temptation to peel off the gel yourself, keep those cuticles nourished with oil, and if your nails seem sensitive to gel polish, consider exploring other durable alternatives that can still bring those autumn vibes to life.