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Gel Polish, Hard Gel, Dip, and Acrylic. What is the difference?

I get many phone calls from new clients who do not know what to ask for when booking an appointment to have their nails done. It can be confusing because a lot of the terminology is similar. I am going to attempt to clear up some of the confusion. 

Let’s start with gel polish.  Gel polish offers long-wearing color that should last around 2 weeks. Gel polish offers a smidge of protection for your nails but not much. It is stronger than nail polish but not as strong as an enhancement product. Gel polish is great for people with decent natural nails or just looking for a special occasion application. Gel polish is usually removed by soaking it off with acetone. The problem with soaking off products like gel polish is first off, it does not soak off well. The product is usually then scraped or filed to remove it. Doing this over and over every couple of weeks significantly thins the nails. Second, the nails are prepped over and over again. This is why we do not offer just a gel polish-only application. We apply a structured base to your nails that we do not remove. This gives us something to file against and protects your natural nails. We only prep the new growth one time. This keeps your nails strong and healthy. Soaking in acetone also significantly dries out your nails and skin. Keep reading and we will tell you why we love structured nail bases made of soft or hard gel. 

Next in the line-up, we have structured gel which can be soft gel or hard gel. Both of these products are very similar. 

Soft gels have more adhesion properties and are more flexible or rubbery. Soft gel can only be used on short to medium nails. It does not have enough strength to support longer nails. 

Hard gels have more strength and less adhesion. We can use different bases to give us adhesion and strength with hard gels. Hard gels can be used on any length of nails. 

We can use combinations of these to get the perfect formula for your nails. Hard gel is literally a gel. It usually comes in a pot and looks like hair gel. There is no such thing as “powdered gel”. “Powdered gel” is just acrylic nails with gel polish on top of it. If you have been getting powdered gel you are being lied to. You have acrylic. 

Hard gel is a fantastic enhancement. It can be applied thin, has zero odor, files easily, is super strong, and it is flexible.  At our salon, we call this service a structured gel manicure. It is a gel polish manicure with a layer of structured gel that we choose based on your nail type. We apply a thin layer of hard gel over your natural nails and then apply gel polish on top of that. The hard gel gives your nails a ton of strength and allows you to grow your nails as long as you like. You will not get any chipping or breaking of your nails with normal wear. 

Note: I said normal wear and tear. You can destroy any enhancement if you want to. If you take simple steps like using cuticle oil several times a day, wearing gloves, and not using your nails to pry things open or scrape things with your nails then they will last beautifully until your next appointment and stay shiny as well.

 Hard gel nails when correctly applied will usually not lift. The reason you do not get lifting is that the enhancement is flexible. When you bump your nails and your natural nail flexes, the product will flex, which prevents the enhancement from lifting. Hard gel is also extremely lightweight. Many new clients are very surprised by the fact that they don’t feel like they are wearing anything and how natural their nails can look while remaining super strong. We recommend a 3-week maintenance schedule to keep your nails looking great. Hard gel can also be used to create extensions for your nails.  If you are looking for longer nails, book a Full Set of Extensions.  

If you ever need your gel removed, please book an appointment for a removal and we will safely file off your gel and apply a nail strengthener. 

Dip Powder nails. Dip powder is not anything new. It has been around since the 1980s. It’s basically acrylic powder and nail glue. 

Dip powder nails, also known as SNS (Signature Nail Systems), are a type of manicure where acrylic powder is applied to the nails in several coats, which are then sealed with glue or resin. The process involves applying a base coat to the nails first, then dipping them into a jar of colored powder. The process is repeated several times to build up the desired level of color and thickness. After the final coat of powder, the nails are sealed with a clear top coat.

Dip powder nails are popular because they are long-lasting and can provide a durable, natural-looking finish. They also require minimal drying time and are less likely to chip or peel than traditional nail polish. Dip powder nails can be done at home or at a salon, but it is important to follow proper application and removal procedures to avoid damaging the nails.

 While dip powder nails have several benefits, there are also some downsides to consider. Here are some of the most common:

  1. Difficulty in application: Applying dip powder nails properly can be tricky, and it requires a certain level of skill and experience. If not applied correctly, dip powder nails can look uneven, thick, or clumpy.
  2. Potential for damage: While dip powder nails are durable, they can still cause damage to the natural nails underneath. If the nails are not properly prepared before application or if the dip powder is removed incorrectly, it can lead to weakening, peeling, or even breaking of the natural nails.
  3. Risk of infection: Dip powder nails require multiple dipping and brushing steps, and the tools used in the process can harbor bacteria if not properly sanitized. This can increase the risk of infection if the tools are shared or not cleaned properly between uses.
  4. Removal process: The removal process of dip powder nails can be time-consuming and can also damage the natural nails if not done correctly. The nails need to be soaked in acetone for an extended period, which can lead to dryness and brittleness. The nails are then prepped over and over which leads to damage and significant thinning of the natural nails. 

Lastly, we have Acrylic nails. 

Acrylic is a powder and a liquid. Acrylic has a strong odor and should only be used with proper ventilation. Acrylic nails can be used to make nails stronger and longer just like hard gel. While acrylic is strong like a hard gel it is also very rigid. Because of the rigid nature of acrylic, it makes it more likely to lift because it does not flex with your natural nails like hard gel will. If acrylic nails are not properly filled then they are subject to lifting and bacteria growth. This is especially true if you are going to a discount salon.  Acrylic is much more difficult to file than hard gel and is heavier feeling.

There are beautiful acrylic nails out there unfortunately, most of the ones we see are poorly applied nails from discount salons. I also find that acrylic nails look more fake and bulky. If you would like to transition out of your acrylic nails and into a structured gel manicure, we are happy to help! We will gently soak off your acrylic nails to maintain the integrity of your natural nails. We will never destroy your natural nails by prying or picking your nails off. After your nails are soaked off we will apply a thin layer of hard gel over your existing nails and then apply gel polish on top of that. You are then well on your way to growing your nails as long as you want or keeping them short. Make sure when you call to book your appointment that you tell us you have acrylic on and you would like to transition. We love showing people how amazing hard gel is.

Why do we only do structured gel nails? We are a gel-focused salon. What does that mean? It means that our primary focus is on gel nail services. We feel like this is the best product to deliver the kind of nails that we love to produce. In the last decade, all of the innovation, research, and development is going into gel nail products. This means that they are continually evolving and getting better and better. Acrylic is basically the same product it has been for the last 30 years. There are also different types of gel for different types of nails. Let us choose the right one for you. Gel gives our nails the kind of strength and durability that we are looking for when we choose products to use on our clients. If you think you can’t wear gel, it’s because you haven’t worn ours. Our clients go 3-4 weeks between appointments without chipping, cracking, or breaking. Seeing is believing. We do NOT offer acrylic or dip powder nails.