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But the UV curing method used to achieve those enduring results has elicited a fair share of safety concerns.
Should the controversy deter us from our preferred salon service?
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Meet the Experts
What Is a Gel Manicure?
Gel nail polish is painted on similarly to classic lacquer.
Each coat of gel polish will need to be cured for about 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
They also stay glossy for the duration of the manicure.
How Long Do Gel Manicures Last?
Because of natural nail growth and wear and tear, anything beyond that usually does not look great.
There are ways to improve wear with strengthening base gels."
Unlike classic gel manicures, the polishes don’t necessarily need to be applied by a salon pro.
The steady hand and long-lasting results of an in-salon gel manicure can’t be beaten.
Are Gel Manicures Safe?
UV lights and theirpossibly carcinogenic side effectsare the primary safety concern when it comes to gel manicures.
However, she adds that it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
“Over the last couple of years, gel manicures have become the most popular service in any salon.
Can Gel Manicures Damage Your Nails?
Gel polish can be fairly drying, leaving your natural nails more brittle underneath the polish.
However, experts agree that the worst of the damage comes from improper removal.
The biggest disadvantage to gel manicures is improper removal, Gibson Tuttle shares.
Between gel appointments, you should also takeadditional steps to strengthen your nails, such as applyingcuticle oil.
First, file the gels to break the topcoat seal, says Gibson-Tuttle.
Then, place cotton balls soaked in pure acetone on your nails and wrap your fingertips in tin foil.
Let them sit for 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove the polish.
Once the timer goes off, use a wooden nail stick to gently lift the remaining polish.
According to all three experts, acuticle oilor serum is your BFF post-gel mani.
We also recommend"slugging” your nailswith an occlusive like Vaseline to keep them nourished.
You should also be wearing sunscreen for an added level of protection.
If you find your nails react poorly to gel nail polish, consider along-lasting alternative.
Zhivagui M, Hoda A, Valenzuela N, et al.
DNA damage and somatic mutations in mammalian cells after irradiation with a nail polish dryer.Nat Commun.
2023;14(1):276.
