For the last several years, many women have been turning to nail salons for gorgeous, long-lasting nails. They have been enjoying the benefits of gel, acrylic, Shellac and powder gel nails.

But are these nails really safe? That is a question that people need to be asking more often. And the answer is not so clear.

Here’s what you need to know:

Shellac, Gel and Acrylic Nails — Are They a Disaster Waiting to Happen?: A blog about the latest nail trends along with types of treatments.

Benefits of Gel and Acrylic Nails

Let’s start off by looking at some of the benefits of gel and acrylic nails. One of the biggest benefits is that they last a very long time – up to two weeks without chipping or breaking. They also look great from day one until they are removed, which cannot be said for regular nail polish that chips easily. These types of nails can be tailored to any taste or style: short or long; natural or fancy; pointed or rounded; plain or decorated with glitter, jewels, etc. And because they last so long, you don’t have to spend time reapplying polish every couple of days.

Downsides of Gel and Acrylic Nails

What are the differences between shellac, gel and acrylic nails?

Which is the strongest and most durable?

How much would it cost if you were to get a manicure using any of these products?

Which one is best for a manicure that lasts longer, needs less maintenance and has less drying time?

I ask these questions because I have had acrylic nails for years — long before I even knew about shellac or gel nails. And in my experience, when I have gone to get a professional manicure with acrylic nails, there always seems to be an issue. It gets very frustrating when you have a manicure booked for later that day and your nails are still wet. That’s just one of the many issues I have experienced with acrylic nails. And the nail techs at first seemed to think I was crazy whenever I complained about my wet nails, but then eventually started getting on board.

Shellac, Gel and Acrylic Nails — Are They A Disaster Waiting To Happen?

One day as I was having my weekly manicure done, I noticed the nail tech using a different product called Shellac. She told me that she had been doing this type of manicure for over two years now and has never had any complaints from

I feel that I need to write about the latest nail trends and how they can be a disaster waiting to happen. The latest trend is Shellac, Gel, and Acrylic nails. They all work by creating a tough outer shell over the natural nail. This leaves the natural nail trapped under a plastic-like coating. There is no room for your natural nail to breathe or grow. Before we get into specifics lets look at the disadvantages of these types of nail enhancements:

Advantages:

Appear thin and natural looking

More durable than regular nail polish

Can last up to 2 weeks without chipping

Disadvantages:

Creates a barrier between the natural nail and air

Can make nails more brittle by trapping moisture under them (this can lead to fungal infections)

Difficult to remove (often require acetone)

If you have thin or weak nails then this type of treatment will probably not be right for you because it will cause further damage.

I love getting my nails done. I do it every few weeks and I have been doing it for a very long time, probably over 15 years. I have had acrylics, white tips, pink & whites and lately shellac. But what exactly is the difference between all of these types of manicures? And most importantly, are they all safe? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about each type:

Shellac: Shellac is the newest nail product on the market and has become very popular over the past year or so. It is a mix between nail polish (which has no resistant to chipping) and gel nails (which are virtually indestructible). Shellac is applied in two steps: base coat, color and top coat. After each application there is an LED light that cures the nails which means it dries immediately and you can even put gloves on right away without ruining your nails!

Shellac comes off easily with regular nail polish remover whereas gels are soaked off with acetone in 10-20 minutes. One drawback to consider: the removal process can sometimes damage your nail bed since acetone is used to soak off gels. So if you have weak or thin nails already, you might want to give this one

Many nail salons offer a range of services including acrylic nails, gel nails and shellac. I am often asked what is the difference between the three. Is one better than the other? What are the pros and cons? Which is better for my health and nails?

Acrylic Nails

Acrylics are a mixture of a liquid and powder that form a hard coating over your natural nail. They are durable, long-lasting and can be customized into any shape. However, they can be difficult to remove because they involve filing or soaking the acrylic off. It is also common for the acrylic to chip off or lift away from your natural nail after two weeks. Acrylics can cause your natural nails to become weak and brittle, which may lead to breakage. They are also not suitable for those with allergies to chemicals in the product.

I am not a nail tech, but I have had shellac nails. My nails are a mess and they don’t look like they did when I left the salon. They have white spots on them and they are very brittle. I have been to the salon to get them removed but the tech said that’s how my nails are now.

I am just concerned about how this product is damaging our nails.

Many women love to have their nails done and will visit the salon on a regular basis. As a nail tech, I know that some of my clients are concerned about the possible side effects of having acrylic or gel nails applied.

Most of these treatments use some type of liquid monomer mixed with powder polymer to form a hard layer on top of your natural nail plate. These products are safe as long as they are used properly. In this article, I will discuss the risks of these types of products and how to ensure you are getting your nails done safely.

Acrylic Nails

This is the most common form of nail enhancement and also the one that has been around the longest. Acrylic is a mixture of monomer liquid and powder polymer. The monomer is ethyl methacrylate or EMA for short and is what allows the powder to create a strong bond with your natural nail plate. EMA was once considered unsafe because it is classified as a neurotoxin and can cause numbness around the mouth when inhaled in large amounts (such as working in an enclosed area with poor ventilation). However, newer forms of EMA have been developed that do not pose any health risks due to their lower toxicity levels or lack thereof.

Gel Nails