Nail extension with tips: gel and acrylic

What are the pros and cons of nail extensions?
Unlike the recognized predators of the animal world, women use their claws not only for hunting. Heredity plays a big role, and for some, even special varnishes and creams cannot help. Fortunately, this issue was resolved a long time ago by cosmetologists who have mastered nail extensions.

There are so many rumors, myths and fears surrounding this procedure that not everyone dares to go to a nail stylist. This is the name of the salon pro who is responsible for the beauty of ladies' hands.

What are the real pros and cons of extended nails??

Fear #1 . The extension substance prevents living nails from breathing .

It all depends on the material chosen for extensions. This statement is true only in relation to acrylic. Indeed, this product contains a lot of chemicals and does not allow your claws to take a breath of oxygen. At the same time, gel and biogel conduct air perfectly.

That is why nails extended with gel can be worn for a long time and only adjusted once a month. But acrylic ones will have to be removed once every six months (or even more often), revealing thinned nail plates underneath and taking care of your own health.

Fear No. 2 . Extended nails constantly break .

You really need to be careful with gel claws - the polymer is very fragile. You will have to entrust the washing to a washing machine, the washing of dishes to a dishwasher, and type on the keyboard slowly and without frenzy.

If your nail is cracked, there is nothing you can do to fix it - you will have to go to a nail stylist and get a new one done. And this is another blow to the family budget! But acrylic nails are durable, you can use them for war or for cleaning.

Fear #3 . After extensions, your own nails become unusable .

Acrylic has such a caustic chemical composition that it damages the underlying nail plates beyond recognition. This is the same sacrifice that many make for the benefit of their own beauty, without thinking about the consequences.

Damaged nails can still be restored, but you will have to devote both time and money to this.

The gel is gentle on nails and its composition resembles natural materials. And the biogel completely strengthens, restores, protects and vitaminizes the nail plates!

Fear #4 . Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not have their nails extended .

Biogel is approved and even indicated for expectant and current mothers. It is completely harmless to the baby’s health and is useful for its mother, whose nails have acquired a dull appearance during pregnancy.

But even the strongest and healthiest person can have an allergic reaction to the components of the acrylic substance.

Fear #5 . It is very expensive .

The main disadvantage of nail extensions with gel and biogel is that it is a very expensive procedure that is difficult to perform at home. It requires special professionalism of the master and some complex devices (a UV lamp under which you will have to dry the polymer).

Acrylic is much cheaper, dries on its own and very quickly, and is then easily polished by a cosmetologist.

Fear #6 . It is too long .

Lack of clear boundaries

Actually this one is like that. Even those women who regularly visit salons do not fully understand what the difference is between these materials. But it lies not only in the properties, but also in the application technology itself, which is more important for the master than for the client himself. The formation of an artificial nail begins with filing of the native nail plate. Then one or another material is applied to it. Acrylic hardens very quickly, which makes it difficult to work with, especially for beginners. Gel, on the contrary, has a fluid structure and takes its final form only under a special lamp. But this also has its downsides. If you leave a jar of gel in the sun, then the time required for one client will be quite enough for it to become completely unusable.

Gel or acrylic?

In the master's office, even sloppy, short and peeling nails will acquire a presentable appearance for a long time after a few hours of painstaking work, doing considerable honor to the owner of the hands.

You can extend your nails using gel or acrylic. It must be said that both the first and second options have a number of advantages and disadvantages.

It is generally accepted that gel is a less allergenic material, under which the nail feels more comfortable. However, a gel nail cannot be repaired once damaged, and if it breaks, it must be removed completely and a new one applied.

Some craftsmen prefer acrylic simply because it hardens without any impact on it and does not require additional equipment. Plus, acrylic nails are much easier to remove.

Regardless of which option for artificial nail extension is chosen, you need to prepare for a fairly long procedure, which will be completed no earlier than in 2 hours. Extensions, just like other cosmetic procedures, have their pros and cons.

Nail extension with tips: technology (instructions)

The master files the surface of natural nails with a low-abrasive file, removes cuticles, and cleans the nails of dust and grease. It is important that the surface of the nail is completely dry.
Then a template is selected that matches the size of the nail plate. The selection is repeated for each nail.
Special glue is applied to the contact area, then the tip is pressed tightly against the nail plate for 20 seconds. The glue that protrudes out is carefully removed. When gluing the tips, you must ensure that there are no air bubbles between the template and the nail plate, otherwise the extended nails will not last long.
The excess length is shortened with special pliers - a cutter or a type cutter. It is recommended to leave the tip a little longer, since in the process of creating the desired shape the tip will be additionally sharpened.
The thickness of the tip is removed with a highly abrasive file, and it is given the desired shape.
The border between the natural plate and the tip is carefully but carefully polished, achieving an imperceptible transition.
The further procedure depends on what material will be used, since there are two methods of extension: nail extension with gel tips; Nail extension with acrylic tips.
After the material hardens, the surface of the extended nail is polished, and nourishing oil is rubbed into the cuticle.
The final procedure involves creating a beautiful visual effect, for example, nail extensions with French tips, sculpting, artistic design, an aquarium, etc.

Correction of extended nails

As the nail plate grows, the difference between it and artificial nails becomes noticeable. Ideally, the correction should be done after two weeks, but if this is not possible, then a maximum of four. The master removes the top layer of material with an abrasive file, removes the exfoliated material, applies gel or acrylic to the regrown border, and then grinds the nail plate, achieving a smooth surface.

Gel and acrylic. Harm

As a rule, nail extensions are made with gel or acrylic. There is a difference between these two materials, expressed in the special advantages of each of them. However, they both can do their damage.

Gel

The gel shines very brightly and does not lose its shade for a long period, while it is very easy to apply to the surface of the nails. The main advantage of gel nail extensions is providing natural plates with access to oxygen. However, it requires cutting down every 2 weeks and can also crack occasionally.

Is it harmful to extend nails with good gel? All the problems listed in the main section can affect this tool. Also, people who use gel are more likely to experience the development of nail fungus and allergic reactions, and the artificial plates themselves sometimes cause serious injuries to natural ones.

It also has a special negative impact associated with additional equipment. We are talking about an ultraviolet lamp that is used to dry gel nails. Foreign doctors have noticed that cancerous tumors often develop in those who dry their nails under a UV lamp. It is believed that an increased dose of ultraviolet radiation destroys skin cells, increasing the risk of malignant tumors. Thus, a 48-year-old woman who visited a nail salon 8 times a year was diagnosed with skin cancer. If you adhere to the normal build-up frequency, then it is almost impossible to encounter such a problem due to the fault of the UV lamp.

Acrylic

Are acrylic nail extensions dangerous? They are considered the least harmful, because... the amount of hazardous substances in them is insignificant. The main advantages are the rapid restoration of natural nails, high strength, no need to use a UV lamp, and the possibility of long-term wear. The disadvantages include an unpleasant odor after the extension procedure, the gradual appearance of a yellow tint and the need for additional sanding.

Peculiarities of the harmful effects on humans include an increased risk of developing infections that are caused by bacteria accumulating in the interlayers of the plates. Also, the chemicals that are used when using acrylic have a serious impact, penetrating into the skin, which can seriously damage the natural nail.

Which is better, gel or acrylic nail extensions: pros and cons

The nail extension procedure allows you to become the owner of a beautiful, flawless manicure in a matter of minutes, even if the nail plates are not in the best condition

Most often, salons offer gel or acrylic nail extensions, so let's try to look at the advantages and disadvantages of these most popular procedures.

Acrylic nails

It is worth noting that recently the acrylic nail extension procedure has become increasingly popular in salons. This material allows you not only to evenly cover the entire surface of the nail plate, but also to partially build it up, treating only the tip of the nail. Acrylic is a polymer material that comes in powder form. Acrylic powder is mixed with a monomer liquid, which is distributed in an even layer over the entire area of the nail plate, waiting for it to completely harden for several minutes, after which the desired shape is formed. To give the ideal shape to your nails, use special files to remove all roughness, unevenness and defects. The procedure is quite painstaking, so you will have to spend two to three hours of your time on a manicure.

One of the advantages of acrylic is its strength, so acrylic nails, compared to other types of manicure, retain their original appearance for a long period of time and are the optimal solution for girls leading an active lifestyle. If the gel nail is damaged, its shape can be corrected at any time in the salon. Acrylic nails look natural, aesthetically pleasing, maintaining the natural shape of the nails. And this is not to mention the possibility of creating artistic manicure, aquarium and volumetric design, which is only possible when using acrylic.

Acrylic is a completely harmless substance, causing no harm to the health or condition of the nail plates. In addition, the material itself was borrowed from dentistry, and its composition was improved specifically for the cosmetic procedure of nail plate extensions. Acrylic is removed with special solutions that dissolve its structure, very quickly and painlessly. The disadvantages of acrylic manicure include a specific smell and the possibility of allergic reactions when performing this extension technology. Another disadvantage is that, despite protecting the nails from harmful environmental factors, the nail does not breathe, so you should not use this manicure technique too often. To avoid losing the base color of the acrylic, you must first apply a base varnish before applying varnish.

Gel nail plate extension

There are two techniques for gel manicure: using light polyerization and non-light gel nails. Gel nails are a combination of a polymer substrate and a special gel. First, the master applies a polymer to the nails, after which they cover them with a monomer gel, which is polymerized under ultraviolet light. When creating a non-light gel manicure after applying the activator gel, do not use ultraviolet lamps. The structure of the gel polymer is similar to the structure of the nail plates, which means that the gel is absolutely harmless to our claws and does not cause allergic reactions.

Gel extensions can be carried out according to the shape of the nail or extensions using tips. The first option is suitable for those with naturally beautiful shaped nail plates, since in this case the gel is applied directly to the nail. The second option is used in the case of short nails or if the nails are difficult to correct. Special tips are glued to the nails, which are covered with a gel solution on top.

The advantages of the procedure include: strength, quick correction, savings. Gel manicure will cost several times less than acrylic extension technology. In addition, the procedure itself does not take more than two hours. In addition, the gel helps strengthen and straighten the nail plates, allowing the nails to breathe. You can wear gel nails for up to six to eight months, subject to constant adjustments. Nails are easy to paint with any varnish, easy to care for, and the manicure always looks perfect. You can apply any ornaments, patterns to the base, or perform an artistic manicure. Gel nails have a smooth, glossy surface, so they look beautiful even without polish. Unlike acrylic, the gel does not have an unpleasant specific odor.

But you need to remember that gel nails can only be removed in a salon using special nail files. If the gel nail is severely damaged, it will have to be extended again. Compared to acrylic nails, gel nails are more fragile, and since a rather thick layer of solution is applied to the nail, the nail plate is significantly different from the natural one.

To summarize, it can be noted that each of the above procedures has its own advantages and disadvantages, so when choosing, you need to rely on your own taste. The only thing that can be noted is that if you have fragile, thin nails, it is still better to give preference to gel nail extensions.

Harm

When applying extensions, every girl runs the risk of ruining her natural nails. Therefore, questions about whether nail extensions are harmful should be considered at the stage of preparation for the procedure. A negative impact can be caused by the fault of the master, from the process itself, as well as from the material used or the characteristics of its application.

Damage due to the fault of the master

Often, all sorts of risks are complicated by a lack of experience or dishonesty of the master. The final beauty of the plates and the health of the nails in the future depend on it. If you choose the wrong nail salon, the damage to your nails grown there can manifest itself in the following:

Excessive cutting of the natural plate. If the artist uses a file that is too hard or takes too long to file the nail instead of simplifying the task by sanding, then the living nail may be shorter than necessary. This affects both the quality of the final work and the health of the nail.
Incorrect modeling of nail geometry. When a master makes mistakes by making incorrect calculations, the risk of cracks or plate breakage seriously increases. Moreover, scrapping threatens not only the artificial plate, but also the natural one.
Use of low-quality materials. Some craftsmen use cheap materials of low quality. This affects the appearance of the plates and their durability, and can also seriously harm your fingers.
Ignorance of contraindications. Some masters may not even pay attention to obvious problems that prohibit extensions. For example, if the plates are too thin and weak, they may still perform the procedure. As a result, a person will feel pain, get damaged nails and may experience the appearance of wounds.
Injury caused when removing insoluble materials. If a technician works with a sanding file for too long, he runs the risk of touching the real nail. In such situations, the main damage will be caused to appearance.

It is important to take the issue of choosing a master for such work seriously. It is advisable to give preference to proven specialized salons, where clients are served by experienced manicurists.

Main harm

Not everyone experiences harm from nail extensions. But if you repeat this procedure regularly, the risk of encountering it will increase. Even with the involvement of an experienced master, a girl may suffer from the following problems:

Injuries to the nail plate with regular repetition of the procedure. After filing the extended plate, it will take 4 months to restore the nail. If you neglect this rule, injuries will appear in the next six months. Cracks, yellowing and delamination are most likely to occur.
Negative influence of materials. Even when using good materials, there is a risk of encountering a fake that contains harmful components. The liquids evaporate and poison the air, from which the master himself also suffers. They also cause injuries to the nail plates.
Nail deformation due to lack of oxygen. It is believed that nails do not need air, because... they do not have a breathing apparatus. However, the production of keratin to build nails requires some oxygen. If it is not there, then the extended nail will be deformed and become curved, which will ruin the beauty of the manicure.
Stopping the production of the protective layer. When applying various artificial materials for a long time, the formation of natural protection is suspended, and its remnants are removed. For this reason, the real nail becomes extremely vulnerable to the negative influence of the external environment and may turn yellow, thin, or peel.
Development of bacteria. Microorganisms develop under a layer of artificial materials. This is especially susceptible to those people who often repeat the procedure of extensions or applying different gels to their nails. Bacteria remain in the formed layers, where their effect on the skin or plates is not even noticeable.

It is difficult to say for sure whether extended nails are harmful. Much depends on random factors and the master. But there is a difference in the materials used.

Nail extensions: cons

A kind of fly in the ointment of beautiful, long, strong, sexy nails is a number of disadvantages of extensions.

As mentioned above, the procedure takes a lot of time and requires certain financial costs.
Gel artificial nails require periodic correction - at least twice a month. You will have to periodically find time and money to visit a manicure salon.
Gel nails cannot be removed and must be completely filed off. Only a master can do this.
Your own nail under an acrylic or gel plate becomes somewhat thinner and requires some care after removing the coating.

Acrylic nail extensions: secrets of popularity

The women's site Beautiful and Successful today will reveal to its readers the secret of a beautiful manicure that acrylic nail extensions can give . In modern salons you can do nail extensions in a variety of ways, each of them has its own pros and cons. But at the same time, it would be fair to note that acrylic nail extensions occupy a leading position . Of course, there are many pretty good reasons for this. Perhaps, to clarify them, it would not be amiss to turn to the history of the appearance of acrylic nails.

The history of acrylic extensions

As you know, demand creates supply, and the demand for beautiful and durable artificial nails appeared back in the 50s of the last century, during the period when cinema began to rapidly develop. The actresses needed to have an impeccable manicure with long nails, for which they used artificial nails that were neither comfortable nor durable.

As it should be, an accident came to the rescue. One resourceful dentist broke his nail while working, which not only caused him discomfort, but also made it impossible for him to work normally. Looking around him, the dentist saw a filling material and used it to restore the damaged nail plate. This way he managed to see patients normally until the end of the working day. And the next morning he was surprised to note that he was not experiencing any pain .

Soon, cosmetologists and makeup artists began to actively use acrylic artificial nail extensions, for which they used more advanced material.

Benefits of acrylic nails

Of course, in the distant 70s, a new type of artificial nails was beyond competition. What attracts acrylic extensions today to those who want to have flawless nails?

The website sympaty.net, after some observations, came to the conclusion that there are many answers to this question:

Artificial acrylic nails have the strength of a dental filling, making them virtually invulnerable.
Acrylic nails are very comfortable , you quickly get used to them.
If necessary, an acrylic nail can be restored in a fairly short time.
If you want to remove your nails, this will be easy to do with the help of a special liquid.
Acrylic nails are quite thin and practically do not differ in appearance from real ones .
Such nails do not become a hindrance in household affairs , so acrylic extensions make such nails especially attractive for a modern woman who manages to combine a career and the responsibilities of a housewife.

Types of nail extensions using acrylic

There are only two types of nail extensions using acrylic: extensions with tips and extensions with forms.

Acrylic nail extensions allow you to create a beautiful manicure even on very short nails . The tip is attached to the nail prepared in advance using special glue, and then the edge between the false plate and the nail is leveled using several acrylic balls placed in a special shape selected to size. After 2-3 minutes, the acrylic hardens, after which it is filed, sanded and varnished.

Extension to a form involves the use of a special form, which is installed under the protruding edge of your own nail . Several acrylic balls are also placed on the treated nail, from which the master forms a plate using a brush. After the acrylic has hardened, the nail is filed and sanded.

Both types of extensions require a certain skill and dexterity, so it is very important to turn to a good professional. Then the result will surely bring great joy.

This cannot be said that this joy will be cloudless, since acrylic extensions have some disadvantages .

Acrylic nail extensions: disadvantages

The disadvantages of acrylic nails include:

The smell of a dental office, which you will have to put up with for a couple of days.
In order for them to look presentable, they must either be sanded or coated with clear varnish .
Acrylic does not allow oxygen to pass through , which causes weakening of the real nail, suffering from lack of air.
Acrylic can cause allergies .
Before acrylic extensions, your own nail is subjected to treatment , which makes it thinner and more vulnerable.

Rules for nail care with acrylic extensions

You should know that with proper care of acrylic nails, all of the listed disadvantages are practically eliminated .

massage the cuticles at least twice a day to nourish your own nail.
Try not to test the strength of your nails with a load on them : do not press pins with them, do not tear off labels or price tags, do not press buttons on household appliances.
Acrylic nail extensions will not cause significant harm to your own nails if you remove them from time to time and do not wear them all year round . This will allow the nails to rest, gain strength and undergo the next extension process normally.

Thus, if you really want to grow your nails, you can safely go to a good master for an acrylic manicure, without fear that this will somehow harm the health or beauty of your real nails. The main thing when applying extensions is to follow all the rules and then do not forget about systematic nail care.

—— Author – Pelageja, website www.sympaty.net – Beautiful and Successful. We thank Lestarta (her work is pictured) for her help in creating the article.

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Cons of nail extensions

Quite a high cost of the nail extension procedure;
When preparing the nail, it will be exposed to mechanical devices, damaging it;
If you come across an unscrupulous master, deformation of the nail may occur;
You may develop an allergy to the components that make up the extension materials;
If the extended nail breaks, it breaks in the middle of the nail plate, which is very painful and does not lead to anything good.
Extended nails require correction, so you will have to find time and money to visit the salon;
Natural nails become thinner after removing extensions. You will have to spend a lot of effort to get your natural nails in order.
Gel nails cannot be removed, they will have to be filed off. Only a master can perform such a procedure.

Nail extension technique

First of all, the upper part of the nail plate is cut down so that the tips stick well. The surface is carefully polished.
The next step, after removing the shine of the natural nail, is to push back the cuticle well with a spatula. In this case, the cleaning of the nails itself should not be earlier than three days ago, to avoid injury to the fingers. Do everything carefully so as not to damage the capillaries, which may be located close to the cuticle.
Now lay out all the tips and determine which size suits the size of your nail.
Then glue the tip to the nail with special glue, applying it evenly to the nail plate. Hold for a few minutes until completely glued. Repeat the procedure with each finger.
Determine the length of the extended nail and cut off the excess with a tip cutter.
Give your nail the desired shape using a highly abrasive nail file.
After everything, you can apply the first layer of pink gel. Apply it from the base of the nail to the tip to even out the nail. After coating, place your hand under a UV lamp to cure the layer. Keep under ultraviolet light for no more than 2 minutes, as longer duration affects the durability of the nail.
After applying several layers, the nail is polished so that the border between the tip and the nail plate becomes invisible.
Before applying the gel, degrease the nail so that the gel lays down in an even layer. In addition, do not forget that after the gel polymerizes, a sticky layer remains on the nails, which can leave small indentations on the nail upon contact. Because of this, the nail will lose its beauty and shine. That is why this layer must be removed with a degreaser.
The last stage of this procedure is to apply the finishing gel, dry for a couple of minutes under ultraviolet light and, voila, you are the owner of chic long nails.

Disadvantages of extensions

Every modern innovation, including those related to nails, has its drawbacks. Among them, the main negative points are:

The duration of the extension procedure itself with both acrylic and gel.
Significant financial costs for replacing natural nails with artificial ones.
Gel nails require systematic correction. They need to be touched up twice a month. This is again time and money.
Gel plates are always removed by filing. Only a master can do this correctly.
The native nail under the acrylic or gel plate becomes thinner and requires care after removing the artificial material.
Sometimes, if you use the services of a not very good specialist, you can become infected with a fungus during extensions.
Even well-made nails limit the possibilities of usual hand actions. A woman will have to work differently on the keyboard, adapt to doing housework and those traditional procedures that she performed without long nails.

Contraindications to the procedure

Contrary to popular belief that anyone can use this procedure, nail extensions have a number of contraindications:

It is prohibited to carry out extensions if the nail has mechanical damage or is affected by fungus.
If there is an injury on the cuticle that was received as a result of a trimmed manicure, then extensions are not recommended - if gel or acrylic gets on the wound, inflammation may begin.
People suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system can forget about nail extensions.
If there is increased sweating of the hands, this may also serve as a ban on the procedure of nail extensions.
If a person is taking antibiotics or hormonal medications, then it is worth holding off on going to a manicurist.
If you are allergic to some substances used in the extension process, you should avoid such procedures in the future.

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