As someone who has either bitten or relentlessly picked at their nails for greater than a decade, the primary few times I experienced nail extensions — each gel extensions and acrylic suggestions; more on their differences in a minute — were a revelation. Not only did the added length make it nearly inconceivable for me to mess with my fingers, but for the primary time, I actually loved the best way my nails looked. Once I got adjusted to the more frustrating features of getting long nails (taking contacts out, typing, etc.) I used to be hooked.

With each extension options, my nails (and cuticles) look neat and uniform for weeks longer than a conventional polish or gel manicure. While I am unable to afford either treatment on a regular basis, getting some extra, artificial nail length is something I save for rare occasions, like weddings or vacations. Now, getting my nails done is a special treat.

In the event you’re latest to getting nail extensions, selecting between gel extensions and acrylic suggestions might be confusing. Since neither are a very inexpensive beauty treatment, it is vital to know exactly what you are asking for while you go right into a salon. This guide should help.

• Kelly Drummer is a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati.
• Brittney Boyce is a nail artist and gel extension specialist based in Los Angeles.
• Shirley Cheng is a nail artist based in Latest York City.
• Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff is a nail artist based in Latest York City.

• What are nail extensions?
• What are the differences between acrylics and gel extensions?
• Do gel extensions last longer than acrylics?
• Are gel extensions safer than acrylics?

Before we will talk in regards to the differences between gel extensions and acrylic nails, now we have to first understand what nail extensions are. In a nutshell: additional length and layers added the nail bed. “Extension is a process that involves hard gel or acrylic built on a natural nail,” says Kelly Drummera cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati. “Gels, acrylic, and even powder ‘dip’ nails are all based on acrylic polymers, and the polymerization is a component of the applying process.”

Quick science lesson: Through the polymerization process, “small molecules called monomers are joined together to form larger, stronger three-dimensional polymers,” explains Dobos. “How and where the monomers link together determines just how strong the resulting product is.” The final result must have the ability to “hold as much as each day wear and tear which might be hands are exposed to,” she adds.