Hey, do you need more flexible nails? Well, gel nails can do that for you. It’s sort of an artificial nail that is similar to a natural nail.
It’s a really fantastic way to treat yourself with magnificent gel nail art. A small nail design, a few matching colorful stones, And a contemporary vibe can level up your confidence as a bang on attire on any day.
Now you may ask how long do gel nails last? Usually, gel nails can hold up to 3 weeks, but the most significant rival for gel nails is steam water and soaking your hand in the water for a long time. Doing so can make your gel nails last less than usual.
But in addition, there are certain things you need to take care of. Let’s discuss this in detail.
How long do gel nails last?
Gel nail is a little bit different from regular nail work. That’s why usually gel nails last from two-three weeks.
It can last up to four weeks if you don’t do any harsh work where excessive water and chemical usage is required.
If you take proper care, gel nails will last longer. But gel nails obviously last longer than any regular polishes.
Do gel nails ruin your nails?
Okay, so gel nailing is a more detailed work on a tiny object and should be done by experts. The preparation and application is the most crucial part of it. If specialists follow the steps during application and removal, then it’s very safe, but there are some consequences in the long run.
For example, gel nailing is applied by many people, and they are gorgeous to look at and also get well with your style. Although regular use of gel nails is harmful to your skin.
It can cause several problems like the peeling off of your nail’s skin and cracking of your nails. It increases the risk of skin cancer and also premature skin aging development in hand. Other than that, occasional gel nail paint can be entertaining.
Which is better, gel nails or acrylic nails?
Gel and acrylic both are false nail improvements. They are mostly used to enhance your nail art.
Let’s talk about gels first;
Gel nails cover a three-step process over natural nails, including brushing the base coat, nail polish, and topcoat. A UV light is used for 25-30 seconds after each coating process. After that, it takes two minutes to cure.
The curing helps the gel layer to be hard enough, which prevents smudging of nail polish. It also gives a fresh glossy look to your nails, but how long do gel nails last? Well, 2-3 weeks actually.
Got an idea about the process?
Let’s find out what acrylic nails are!
Acrylic nails consist of liquid and powder. It is applied by a brush over your natural nail. This mixture applied to your nails took the form of natural nails. Then the shaped nail brushed with a base coat, applying different colors of nail polish and finally the top layer of coating. It requires some time to dry.
Although they both have some differences, which are given below;
- Look: Acrylic nails look artificial. On the other hand, gel nails are more familiar.
- Longevity: gel nails casually stay not more than three weeks, but acrylic nails stay longer.
- Price: As gel nails are done by experts, so it costs more than acrylic nails.
After all these differences, the most significant part is adaptability and consequences where gel nails are way better than acrylic nails.
How Do You Make Gel Nails Last Longer?
As we have already written about how expensive gel nails are, to keep your gorgeous nail gel nails longer, you have to follow some tricks. Such as;
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Keep your nails safe from too hot water.
Steamed water is often used to remove gel nails from your original ones. So whenever you are washing dishes with steamed water or taking a jacuzzi, your gel nails might get washed off.
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Additional topcoats on the nails are very handy
Whenever you’re applying the top coating, it is advised to apply an additional coating over your topcoats. It helps gel nails to last longer.
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Another hack is using nail oil regularly
Different types of good nail oil can be used gently over your gel nail coating to keep it shines intact for a more extended period of time.
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Rubber gloves while cleaning is beneficial
A straightforward and easy trick is to use rubber gloves while cleaning. It will prevent the steamed water or any kind of water from ruining your perfectly looking gel nails.
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You could push back your cuticles
Pushing back your cuticles has also proven to be an effective technique for your gel nails to last longer.
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Stay away from hand sanitizers
As we all know, hand sanitizers have alcohol in them, which makes the glow of gel nails fade away. So it is advised not to apply any sort of alcohol over your gel nails.
What are the cons of gel nails?
Besides all the gorgeousness of gel nails, there are few cons of it.
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- Gel nails don’t last longer than 2 to 3 weeks.
Although it’s quite an expensive way, the average lasting time of gel nails is 2 to 3 weeks.
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- The UV rays can be harmful to your skin.
More prolonged exposure to UV rays can be the cause of several skin diseases.
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- During the procedure, if anything goes wrong, then one can get infections.
As it’s a step-by-step process, if not performed by a professional, it can cause infection while doing it wrong.
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- Soaking in pure acetone can make the fingers dry a lot.
Frequent pure acetone water soaking can make the fingers dry, also thinning your natural nails.
Alternatives to gel nails
“Powder dips manicure” is the only alternative to gel nails currently. It is similar to gel nails and lasts up to 2 to 3 weeks.
In the end, it is entirely a personal preference of what style you choose. Gel nails will give you a more natural-looking nail. Also, the coatings will help to prevent damage to your natural nail, but how long do gel nails last?
With some precautions for some upcoming parties or occasions within the next 2-3 weeks, your nails will look perfectly splendid! On the contrary, if you are looking for something that will prevent your nail from cracking or peeling off your nail polish, acrylic nails should also be on your choice list.
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