Gel nails – what is a gel manicure and its effect on health

Proven content

Gel nails are the perfect solution for women who face the problem of a broken and weakened nail plate. However, before you decide on such a styling method, it is worth finding out what a gel manicure is and how to make it? What are the advantages and disadvantages of making gel nails? What is the impact of gel styling on nails and how to take care of nails after styling?

Are you the owner of broken and weak nails? Short and shapeless nails are your bane, and your daily duties do not allow you to keep beautiful and well-groomed hands? Your nail plate leaves a lot to be desired, and at the same time you do not like frequent nail painting and are you looking for a manicure that will be used for longer? Read what a gel manicure is and how its performance affects your health.

Gel nails – what is a gel manicure?

Well-groomed and beautiful hands are a showcase of every woman who cares about herself. There are several nail styling methods to achieve elegant looking nails. Gel manicure is one of the most popular, next to hybrid manicure.

Gel manicure otherwise known as gel is a type of manicure that is performed directly on the nail plate, tips or an extended template. A special gel hardened with UV light is used to make gel nails. Gel manicure is a perfect solution for owners of delicate, brittle and brittle nails.

Gel nails can take many forms and achieve different effects. Gel manicure can take the form of a classic manicure, a fashionable ombre effect, a transparent effect or a French manicure. Gel method it also allows for embedding decorative elements such as glitter, pebbles, diamonds or pearls.

In addition, styling made with the gel method makes it possible nail extension along with giving them the appropriate shape. When building nails, a special builder gel and special templates or tips are used.

Gel manicure consists in covering with a special mass characterized by the elasticity of the nail plate, hardened with a UV / LED lamp. The gel hardens under the influence of UV radiation, which is why this method is also called light-cured. The number of applied layers of the gel depends on the effect you want to achieve. After each application of the gel layer, it should be cured in a LED / UV lamp.

Gel manicure, thanks to its durability, can last up to 4 weeks on nails and every 2-3 weeks it is necessary to supplement them depending on how quickly natural nails grow.

The popularity of gel manicure is due to the effect of nails with a natural look – subtle and delicate as well as those more bold, colorful and decorative. Gel nails allow you to get any length, shape and pattern on the nails.

Performing a gel manicure requires more skill and precision than, for example, a hybrid manicure. It is most often performed in beauty salons, as it requires time, precision and specialized equipment. However, this does not exclude the possibility of making such styling yourself at home. A bit of persistence and practice as well as good quality products and equipment allow you to make a beautiful and effective gel manicure yourself.

What to do to have beautiful nails? Check: Beautiful nails

How are gel nails made?

Gel manicure is one of the most labor-intensive methods of nail styling, requiring a lot of precision and experience. Professional gel manicure made in a beauty salon, it can last up to several hours, and the result is beautiful, natural-looking nails. Independent making a gel manicure at home it is possible, but it requires a lot of precision, patience, experience and knowledge. In addition, we must obtain the necessary products, which include:

1. files of various gradations and ankle;
2. tips with glue or stencils;
3. first;
4. gel – single-phase, three-phase;
5. mass washing liquid
6. lampa UV;
7. guillotine for shortening tips;
8. brush for applying the gel;
9. cuticle oil
10. disinfectant liquid;
11. glitters, pearls, rhinestones, etc.;
12. hybrid varnishes in various colors and a hybrid top.

After we have collected all the necessary products, we can start making gel nails. The first step is to disinfect your hands and tools, unless they are used for the first time. After disinfecting, soften the cuticles around the nail and remove them with a stick, hoof or nail milling machine (MEDEL Expert manicure and pedicure milling machine is available at medonetmarket.pl). The nail itself should be shortened to the appropriate length and matted with a cosmetic block, giving it the right shape.

After cleaning the plate and degreasing it with a cleaner, apply the base, i.e. the so-called primer, unless we use a template or tips, then the base should not be applied to the nail plate.

Gel application is the most important stage of a gel manicure and requires high precision and accuracy. If the nails are short, brittle or bitten, tips are used for extension, which are glued directly to the nail plate and then covered with gel. For a nice natural nail plate that only needs a slight extension, a template is used. In both cases, the gel is applied in thin layers, being careful not to splash the cuticles. The first layer gives the shape and length of the nail, the second layer gives shape, i.e. the curve, and the third is the complement and finish to the effect.

Each layer should be cured in a UV / LED lamp for about 30 seconds to a maximum of 3 minutes. At the very end, after hardening all the layers of the gel, we shape with a file or milling machine and then we can paint the nails with the favorite color of hybrid varnish or add other decorations, such as vinyl stickers, glitter effects, holographic, iridescent dust, etc. ornaments such as rhinestones, glitter, pearls and diamonds.

After styling is finished, the last step is to take care of the cuticles and skin of your hands with a cuticle oil, cuticle conditioner and care creams or lotions.

The gel applied to the nail plate grows with it, and after a few weeks regrowth becomes visible. Most often, in the case of regrowth, the lack of it is replaced or the styling is completely removed. The very process of removing the gel manicure is not easy, because the gel does not dissolve under the influence of acetone.

To remove the gel mass, files with different gradations are used, or a nail milling machine is a more popular equipment. Removing a gel manicure requires a lot of precision and skill, because incorrect removal of the gel can seriously damage the nail plate.

You can buy the MEDEL SOFT ROLL electronic pedicure file at an affordable price on Medonet Market.

What is men’s manicure? How to do it and how to take care of hand care? Check: Male manicure – hand care and nail diseases

The most common mistakes made when making a gel manicure

Making a gel manicure is not a difficult technique, but without the appropriate skills and experience, it is very easy to make mistakes that may affect the aesthetics and quality of the styling.

The gel method by itself does not destroy the nail plate, the problem begins when the entire process is performed incorrectly. It is very important, as in any styling, to follow certain rules in a gel manicure and not to make the main and most common mistakes.

The main mistake that applies to every cosmetic procedure and each nail styling is the lack of sterility of the tools used for work and the lack of hand disinfection. Non-sterile tools can lead to a huge risk of contracting hepatitis B (HBV), type C (HCV) or HIV.

Another mistake in gel styling is bad preparation of the nail plate by filing it incorrectly. The nail plate will bond with the gel properly only when it is carefully filed, the cuticles and films from the nail are removed, and the surface is smooth and dull. If the preparation of the plate is careless and poor, the gel may become aerated and, consequently, the gel mass may flake off or partially detach.

A mistake when preparing a gel styling plate is also sawing it through. Using a file with too much force may tear off the natural nail coatings, which may lead to onycholysis, i.e. a disease that results in detachment of the nail plate from the matrix. Therefore, you should find a golden mean that allows you to safely prepare the nail for applying the gel mass or go to a professional.

A common mistake when making a gel manicure, especially in the case of novice stylists, is pouring gel on the cuticles. Gels have a different consistency and we should choose it depending on our skills and experience. Too thin consistency of the gel and too much of it may cause it to spread over the cuticles around the nail. In addition to the unsightly appearance of the gel applied in this way, an air chamber may also appear in this place, which will cause the gel mass to fall off. The peeling off gel can break off the natural plate and damage the nails. To avoid this mistake, it’s best to choose a medium-thick gel that will not spill or flood the cuticles.

Another mistake affecting the quality and durability of the gel manicure is the incompetent handling of it. Air bubbles often appear in the gel as a result of applying the gel too vigorously or agitating it too vigorously in the container. When stirring the gel vigorously, air enters the nail, which is then transferred to the nail surface while applying the gel. Air bubbles can also be forced in while applying the gel when our movements are quick and vigorous. This can result in an unsightly appearance of the nails and the instability of the gel styling.

To avoid this mistake, remember not to mix the builder gel (you only mix the color gels) and make gentle, gentle movements when applying. We should also avoid wiping the brush on the edge of the gel container so that the mass is not aired.

A common mistake typical of novice stylists is a badly profiled nail with a gel. Too thickly applied mass at the edges of the nail and badly profiled, without the so-called stressed appearance. curve C will cause the gel mass to fall off.

The worst mistake that is made when making gel stylizations is peeling the gel coatings off the nail yourself. The gel mass is closely related to the nail thanks to the primer used and by tearing off the damaged or chipped gel, we can tear off the top layer of the natural plate with it.

The last common mistake is to constantly wear the gel styling on the nails without pauses between subsequent gel refills or applying a new gel mass. The nail plate needs a few weeks’ break from time to time to rest, especially when it is damaged, torn and weakened by constant styling. From time to time, it is worth giving up gel manicure and taking care of your nails, providing them with proper care and hydration, choosing conditioners or natural oils, e.g. castor oil.

Damaged nail matrix and what next? Check: How to heal a damaged nail matrix?

Advantages and disadvantages of gel nails

Gel nails are an increasingly popular form of styling, characterized by durability and a beautiful effect. However, it should be remembered that each interference with the nail plate has its advantages and disadvantages. Before we decide to make a gel manicure on your own nails, it is worth knowing the pros and cons of this method.

Big advantage of gel manicure is its very natural appearance. The elegant effect of a gel manicure depends on the skill and diligence of the stylist. Too thick layer of gel, flooding the cuticles, improperly formed shape may cause the gel nails to look unnatural and artificial. A professionally made manicure is perfect for all important celebrations and is chosen by women who value naturalness, delicacy and elegance.

Another important advantage in favor of a gel manicure is its extraordinary durability. Correctly performed gel styling can last up to several weeks and should be regularly refilled until the owner decides to remove it completely.

Gel manicure is an ideal method of styling for women whose nails are short, brittle and unsightly. The gel allows you to get the right length of the nail, it allows you to give it the perfect shape and structure.

The fact that the gel can be applied to the natural nail plate or glued tips is also a great advantage of this method. This treatment makes the nails look natural, and at the same time strengthens the nail plate, which allows you to grow long natural nails.

The gel method allows you to make effective and fancy nails thanks to the possibility of embedding various decorations in the gel, such as rhinestones, pearls, glitter, pollen, foil and others. The very process of making a gel manicure is not complicated, and the product itself is odorless and when styling with the gel, no vapors are generated that could irritate the respiratory system or the mucous membranes of the mouth or nose. Thus, a gel manicure can be safely used by pregnant women or allergy sufferers.

In addition, the great advantage compared to other methods is the price – gel manicure is not expensive and the cost of its implementation can range from 100 to 200 PLN depending on the effect and decorations you want to achieve.

Despite the many advantages of a gel manicure, it cannot be denied that, like any permanent styling, it also has its drawbacks. What can effectively discourage us from using a gel manicure is the difficulty in completely removing it from the nail plate. The gel mass does not dissolve under the influence of acetone, we can only remove it using files with different gradations or a professional nail milling machine. Removal of the gel mass is laborious and improperly performed may have a negative effect on the condition of the nails.

The disadvantage of gel manicure it is also time consuming in its implementation. On average, the process of applying the gel itself can take from 1,5 to 2 hours, because the manicure technique, i.e. applying subsequent layers, is hardened each time in the lamp.

The disadvantage of the gel is that after it is cured in a lamp, it is characterized by low flexibility, which makes the gel susceptible to mechanical damage, e.g. fractures. Also, under the influence of temperature, the gel may crack slightly and be more susceptible to damage.

Applying the gel on the nails requires professional skills, because improperly made and applied with too thick a layer may look unnatural and cause damage to the nail plate. Therefore, it is best to use the services of a beautician with experience in performing gel styling.

Some people give up this form of styling, choosing a cheaper method such as hybrid manicure or acrylic manicure. A significant disadvantage of a gel manicure applied to a natural nail plate is the need to file and mat the plate before applying the styling. Although it does not require too deep intervention, improper implementation may lead to sawing and weakening of the nail plate.

Durability and replenishment of the resulting regrowth can also be a huge disadvantage of gel nails. In the case of supplementing the gaps in the old gel and not noticing that the old mass has become aerated, the nail plate may become discolored, and even serious fungal infections may occur.

It is worth remembering that each styling, also the one made with the gel method, is completely safe, as long as it is done professionally, correctly and with the use of appropriate products and equipment.

Are hybrid nails safe for pregnant women? Read on: Hybrid in pregnancy – general contraindications, risks, alternatives

Effect of gel manicure on the nail plate

We usually make nail stylization using various methods, including the gel method, dependent on the effect it has on the nail plate. A beautician who performs a gel manicure on a daily basis, carrying out the treatment professionally and with appropriate products, minimizes the possible side effects of such styling.

Performing a gel manicure should be avoided by women who like to DIY and work in the garden, because doing these activities may lead to gel cracking and, consequently, damage to the nail plate.

Gel nails are perfect for women with short, neglected and brittle nails or for women with a nice nail shape and good condition of the nail plate.

The gel applied to the nail plate can have a positive effect, as it hardens it and protects it from breaking, tearing and allows the natural, healthy nail plate to grow. However, on the Internet you can often find information that gel manicure destroys the nail plate and makes it weak, thin and excessively brittle.

There is a lot of truth in this, but these effects are not caused by the performance or wearing of a gel manicure, but by its incorrect removal from the nails. The fastest way to damage the nails is to force the gel to remove it by tearing, prying, scraping or excessively filing the gel mass. In order to remove the gel from the nail plate, it is best to go to a professional beauty salon, then we can avoid mechanical injuries of the nail plate. Correct removal of the gel manicure is a key step in caring for the shape of the nails and their condition.

Also, the proper application of the gel manicure has a significant impact on the condition of the nail plate. When applying the gel mass, the nails must be properly prepared, matted and degreased. The application of the gel itself must be done professionally, the gel must not come into contact with air, and the tools should be disinfected before starting the styling. Incorrectly performed gel styling may lead to the formation of green spots on the nails indicating the development of mycosis as a result of getting moisture and air under the gel layer.

Performing a gel manicure is inevitably associated with the use of UV / LED lamps that emit ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin discoloration or accelerate skin aging.

Some gels, like most nail polishes, may contain harmful substances that can damage the nail plate. Mainly, when choosing a nail gel, avoid substances such as dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene, which are toxic and even carcinogenic.

Following all the rules and properly performing a gel manicure may weaken the nail plate over time, especially when styling is worn for a long time. Therefore, it is worth taking a week’s break from gel nails from time to time and intensely moisturize the nail plate and the skin around them with special conditioners, natural oils, e.g. argan, jojoba or macadamia oils.

What does brown nail color mean? Check: What can brown nails mean?

The influence of UV rays used in gel manicure

Performing a gel manicure requires the use of a lamp that hardens subsequent layers of the gel thanks to the emitted ultraviolet radiation.

UV / LED lamps are generally available equipment in various price ranges and with different parameters. When performing a gel manicure, the exposure in the lamp is short, but several times and intense, so can it be considered safe for our skin and nail plate?

To begin with, it is worth finding out what ultraviolet radiation is and what it is characterized by. Ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 100 to 400 nm. The shorter the radiation waves are, the more visible they become and the longer they become, we call it X-rays. The first studies on the impact of UV radiation on human health were carried out from 1801, i.e. from the time of their discovery. Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three types:

1. UVA radiation, which is characterized by wavelengths from 315 to 400 nm and accounts for 95 percent of all UV radiation that reaches the earth. This radiation is pigment-forming, it can cause erythema, cause photoaging of the skin and contribute to neoplastic changes;
2. UVB radiation covers the wavelength range from 280 to 315 nm and accounts for about five percent of solar radiation. This radiation is responsible for getting a tan, feeling pain after too long exposure to the sun, causes skin burns, neoplastic changes, and also stimulates the production of pigment and vitamin D in the skin;
3. UVC radiation is characterized by wavelengths from 100 to 280 nm and is practically completely absorbed in the atmosphere thanks to oxygen and ozone molecules, and it is difficult to talk about the impact of this radiation on human health, as its amount reaching the ground is negligible.

The UV / LED lamp used in the gel manicure emits UVA waves. Many studies show that the radiation generated during the operation of the gel curing lamp does not significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.

American scientists Dr. Robert Sayer and Dr. John C. Dowd proved in the course of their research that UV / LED lamps do not increase the risk of skin melanoma. The research used the guidelines of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and proved that UV / LED lamps used for nail styling in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations do not emit such radiation that could increase the risk of skin cancer. Nail styling with a UV / LED lamp every 2-3 weeks for 6 to 10 minutes, in intermittent series, is less risky than exposing the skin to sunlight.

Thus, the use of a UV / LED lamp when performing a gel manicure is safe and there is a negligible potential risk that the radiation emitted from the lamp may cause undesirable effects. UV radiation during gel manicure may have a stronger effect in people who are hypersensitive to UV radiation stored in genes or in people who take medications and supplements that increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation.

Therefore, to sum up, the use of UV / Led lamps in nail styling with the gel method is safe, as long as it is used correctly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation and with the use of good quality, recommended and professional lamps.

How is a skin cancer recognized? Check: Five atypical signs of skin cancer

Gel nails and blue pus infection

Gel manicure, which is a safe form of nail styling, may result in the appearance of yellow-green, and sometimes green-brown spots on the nail plate. The reason for the occurrence of such discoloration is the blue pus stick (from Latin Pseudomonas Aeruginosa) called by beauticians a green bacteria.

The blue oil rod is a gram-negative aerobic bacterium (it can also grow in anaerobic conditions) with a wide tolerance to the conditions in which it lives. The staining that arises as a result of infection with this bacterium is the result of bacterial excreta, which most often turns green, which causes the nail plate to become stained.

This bacterium occurs naturally in water, soil and human skin. This bacterium grows best at 37 degrees Celsius and feeds on keratin, which is the main building block of the nail.

Factors affecting the risk of blue pus infection include frequent soaking of the hands, repeated injuries of the nail plate, improper nail care, aeration of the gel styling, as well as applying a new layer of gel on the stratified styling.

The main cause of green bacteria infection is poorly prepared nail plate associated with failure to remove all air bubbles formed on the cuticle line and covering them with another layer of gel or the formation of micro delamination between the gel mass and the nail plate. Contaminated water or dirt easily enters the space between the gel and the nail, creating favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria.

The blue oil rod may also be undiagnosed in the early stages of development and insufficient cleaning of the plate at the beginning of the gel styling procedure may be the result of infection.

The bacteria can also be transferred to the nail from non-disinfected tools, a file that has been used repeatedly on different clients, or in the absence of hygiene during styling. If you notice any discoloration on the nail plate, the first thing to do is to completely remove the gel mass.

The nail plate cannot be covered with any preparations, i.e. gel, varnish, etc., only antibacterial preparations or tea oil should be rubbed into it. Avoid excessive contact of your hands with water and cover them with gloves. It is also advisable to wipe your hands immediately after washing.

The infected nail must grow back and when we react immediately after the first signs of infection appear, no major complications should arise. The problem may arise when the bacterium affects a large part of the nail, the placenta and the skin, then it is necessary to visit a dermatologist or podiatrist to clean the lesion and choose a preparation that will soothe the lesion.

Untreated infection with the blue pus bacilli can lead to fungal infection or onycholysis. Nails become brittle, dull and very brittle. Therefore, at the first symptoms, therapy should be started as soon as possible.

Are the UV-C sterilization lamps safe and effective? Read on: Are UV-C sterilization lamps a good way to disinfect from the coronavirus?

How to take care of gel nails?

Gel nails are not too capricious in style, and their care is not difficult. Styling with this method, in order to be aesthetic, durable and safe for a long time, requires the use of several care principles.

The first rule should be applied before making gel styling and concerns proper preparation of nails for manicure. Before applying the gel, you should stop using oils and greasy creams and avoid oiling and paraffin therapy. Too greasy surface of the nail may cause poor adhesion and poor adhesion of the gel to the natural nail plate.

Avoid excessive moisture and mechanical damage within 24 hours after gel styling on nails, as the preparations used for styling are subject to polymerization. After completing this process, the gel mass becomes more durable and less susceptible to external influences.

Another rule in the care of gel nails is to avoid contact of the nails with cleaning agents or acetone. Chemicals and cleaning agents may damage the gel mass and irritate the skin of the hands, so always use rubber or latex gloves when carrying out household chores.

Gel nails are quite susceptible to mechanical injuries and cracks. It is therefore very important to avoid blows, pressure, nail biting, hammering nails into a hard surface, and careful use of a knife or grater while cooking.

An important issue in the care of gel nails is to avoid sudden changes in temperature from low to high. A sudden change in temperature makes the gel structure more brittle and can cause the surface of the gel to turn yellow or even crack.

You should also avoid long-term baths in the bathtub or in the swimming pool, because the natural nail evaporates under the gel mass and becomes very brittle, which affects the possibility of damaging the gel mass or its detachment.

Gel manicure requires regular corrections 3 to 4 weeks after styling, during this period the epidermis grows on the nail plate, which can deprive even the most beautiful-looking styling of its aesthetics and elegance.

Hence, another rule of care for gel nails, which prohibits the use of softening baths when removing cuticles and mechanical removal or cutting of cuticles, because it is not difficult to damage not only the nail plate, but also the gel mass. It is recommended to use special preparations for removing cuticles, which you just need to apply and wait for a while and use a wooden stick to safely remove them from the nail plate.

When caring for gel nails, say goodbye to using scissors or a guillotine. Shortening of gel nails should only be done using a file with an abrasive coating from 100 to 150 or using special milling machines for artificial nails.

Beautiful nails, made with the gel method, look aesthetically only in the company of a well-groomed and moisturized epidermis. An important issue in the care of gel nails is the use of moisturizing creams and oils. Bathing with salt or lemon juice should be avoided as they can damage the structure of the gel nail.

Gel nails are most often an extension of the natural nail. Before applying the gel, the natural nail plate is sawn and sanded, which makes it thinner and weaker, and any damage to the gel may also damage the natural nail plate. These few care rules listed above are not too difficult to follow and thanks to them, the manicure will have an impeccable and aesthetic appearance for a long time.

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