If you’ve ever wanted nails that stay awesome for a long time, you might have ended up with choosing between gel extensions vs acrylic. Damaged nails, chipped nail polish, or broken tips are all frustrating. That’s why picking the right type of manicure is so important.
Which type of fake nail is better for you? They may appear similar at first glance, yet there are some differences that can make one of them the right choice for you.
Let’s figure it out!
What Are Gel Extensions?
| Pros | Cons |
| 🖒 Healthier and safer than acrylics 🖒 Quicker and easier removal process 🖒 Light nail tips 🖒 Strong and long nails | 🖓 Nails can weaken overtime 🖓 Do not apply well on short nails |
Today, girls are switching to at home gel nail extension kits, which allow them to save some cash and design their own nail looks, instead of heading to a nail salon.
What is gel nail extensions or gel-X nails, to be exact? Gel extensions are a type of artificial nail enhancement that uses a gel-based substance to extend and shape the nails. They are applied over your natural nails to create longer and more polished-looking nails.
Gel extensions offer several benefits, including a natural appearance, flexibility, and a lighter feel compared to some other types of artificial nails.
They also tend to be less damaging to the natural nails when applied and removed correctly.
What Are Acrylics?
| Pros | Cons |
| 🖒 Resistant to breaking 🖒 Highly customizable 🖒 Can cover up imperfections in natural nails 🖒 Last longer than gel nails | 🖓 Strong odor 🖓 Thicker and less natural than gel-X nails |
Acrylic nails are a type of artificial nail enhancement that involves applying a mixture of liquid monomer and powdered polymer onto your natural nails to create a hard, durable extension.
They are a popular choice for people who want longer and stronger nails that can be customized in terms of shape, length, and design.
However, it’s important to note that improper application or removal of acrylic nails can damage your natural nails, making them thin or prone to infection.
Regular maintenance appointments are typically required to keep acrylic nails looking their best.
Gel Extensions Vs Acrylics: What’s The Difference?
Gel extensions and acrylic nails are both types of artificial nail enhancements, but they have some key differences in terms of application process, longevity, and after effects, removal process, and cost. Let’s break them down!
Application Process
One difference between acrylic and gel nail extensions is the ease of application.
Gel extensions are applied with a gel that is cured under a UV or LED light, while acrylic nails are created by mixing a liquid monomer and powdered polymer.
In addition, salon professionals often use gel extensions to add strength and a bit of length to natural nails. Meanwhile, they use acrylic nails for those who want to extend the length significantly.
What’s worth noting is that gel extensions tend to be more flexible and natural-looking, whereas acrylic nails can sometimes appear thicker and less natural.
Durability
Gel extensions vs acrylics: which fake nails remain fresh for longer?
Gel nail polish is tougher than regular nail polish and usually stays nice for about two weeks. But, as you get closer to those 14 days, it might start to come off a bit at the corners.
Gel is stronger than normal polish, but not as strong as acrylic. It sits on top of your natural nails, so how strong your natural nails are affects how well the gel polish stays.
If your natural nails are kind of weak, your gel polish might not stay super strong.
Even though gel polish is harder to chip, if your real nails aren’t strong or if you do lots of things with your hands, you could still break a nail with gel polish on.
On the other hand, acrylic nails can stay looking nice for up to three weeks or even more if you get them filled a couple of times. They are really sturdy, so you usually don’t have to worry much about them cracking, breaking, or lifting off.
But, keep in mind that if you’re always using your hands for stuff like typing, washing dishes, or lifting weights, your acrylic nails might break.
And if an acrylic nail breaks, it can damage your natural nails.
Side Effects
Gel extensions vs acrylics: which cause less after damage?
Getting gel extensions is generally safer and doesn’t usually cause side effects. However, when you’re removing gel extensions, things can go wrong if it’s not done the right way.
Depending on whether you have soft or hard gel, it might take longer to remove. If it’s not removed properly, your nails can get damaged.
Just like with gel extensions, the potential side effects of acrylic nails can happen when they’re taken off.
Also, if the person doing your nails isn’t experienced, that’s when problems can pop up. If they don’t do a good job with the nails or if they’re not filled in properly, you might end up with an infection.
Removal Process
Gel extensions vs acrylics: Which one is simpler to remove?
It’s pretty easy to learn how to remove gel nail extensions and do it yourself at home. With simply some cotton balls, acetone (a special nail polish remover), and aluminum foil, you can gently scrape off the gel polish within 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, it’s usually better to let a nail technician handle the removal of acrylic nails at the salon.
Acrylic nails can be firmly attached to your natural nails. If removed incorrectly, it can lead to damage like thinning, weakening, or even breaking your natural nails. Professionals know how to remove them without causing harm.
Salons have specialized tools designed for acrylic nail removal. These tools ensure that the process is done efficiently and with minimal discomfort.
If you still want to try removing your acrylic nails at home, prepare all the essential tools in advance and follow this video to do it properly:
Cost
Getting gel nail polish on your natural nails might cost you around $30 to $70. But remember, the price can change depending on where you live and the salon you go to.
Acrylic nails’ price could be a bit higher. They might cost you around $30 to $100, or even more, depending on where you are and how long you want your nails to be. If you’re getting other cool stuff like special designs or extra services, the cost could go up.
Here’s a cool thing about acrylic nails – even though the first visit might cost more, you can actually get them filled later. That means when your nails start to grow, you can just get the new part filled with more acrylic. This is way better than getting a whole new set every time!
Now, sometimes people mix acrylic nails with gel polish. This makes your nails super strong. The cost can be anywhere from $50 to $100, or even more if you’re adding things like fake trendy nail art or nail tips.
Conclusion: Which Fake Nails To Go For?
Is gel or acrylic better for your nails?
There’s no perfect answer. In the end, it’s all about what fits your life and how you want to keep up with it.
If you want nails that look simple and don’t need a lot of care, go for gel nails. But if you want nails that are super strong and can be made into any shape you want, acrylic nails are the way to go.
