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Nail extension: types, methods, materials. Modern types of nail extension

For a long time. But first you need to decide on the type of procedure. We will talk about what types of nail extensions exist and how to care for them afterwards.

Features of extended nails

It is advisable to trust nail extension to a professional who will do everything carefully. A specialist can do everything quickly and, at first glance, even beautifully, but there is no need to rush here. Properly prepared handles are already half of a successful extension. Not removing the cuticle can cause the gel or acrylic to lie unevenly, and it will not look very attractive.

If the extended nails visually resemble natural ones, then the manicure will be more durable. Girls decide to build up usually when their own nails constantly break or exfoliate. In addition, they are attracted by the opportunity to wear a beautiful pattern for a longer time. Also, with extended nails, it is pleasing that if one of the nails breaks, it is enough to make it again. In the case of natural nails, it becomes necessary to trim the rest.

These nails also have negative qualities. Usually, the build-up and correction itself is not cheap, and failure to follow the basic rules can lead to flaking of the substance and even to allergies. But beauty requires sacrifice, and therefore the girls boldly go to a beauty salon or a familiar manicure master.

To prevent the coating from peeling off, you must follow these rules:

The previous coating must be completely removed.
Nails should be well polished and treated with antiseptics.
Before building, it is advisable not to wet your hands once again, and especially not to smear them with creams. Pairs of the latter can stand out, thereby contributing to rejection.
Before applying the gel or acrylic, the nails must be degreased.
Correction must be done in a timely manner.

What types of nail extensions exist

We figured out the pros and cons, but what types of nail extensions are there? They are distinguished by the basis on which the material will be laid out.

Extension on tips

Tips are a kind of template made of plastic. This type of nail extension is used when the length of the natural nail is too short. Also, the reason for their use may be the lack of skills in shaping the nail. Types of tips vary depending on the purpose, as well as the color, shape and contact area. The tip consists of two parts - the free edge, which is narrower, and the zone in contact with the natural nail. The last part looks like a notch, which is separated from the narrow part. It is the border between them that is the contact zone, without which the width of the tips does not change.

The shape of the tips can be any - from straight to pointed, and the color is transparent or white. There are also special tips on which the jacket is already drawn. If a girl wants to get a manicure that is resistant to impact, she will choose extensions on tips made of ABS plastic. In addition, this material is not prone to deformation after exposure to high temperatures or chemicals.

This type of nail extension requires another tool - a tips cutter. It allows you to remove the extra length, after which the nail file is shaped. Although many masters manage with simple nail scissors. When reducing the length, it is worth remembering that cutting it will additionally remove it, because the tips are cut off with a margin.

Modeling with artificial materials

If the length of a natural nail allows you to not use tips, a girl can get a beautiful manicure based on acrylic or gel. This type of nail extension involves the ability of the master to create new nails, gradually laying out the material on a special form. It indicates the size of future nails, it remains only to choose the right one and reach its border.

The difference between acrylic and gel is that in the first case, an ultraviolet lamp is not needed. Acrylic will dry on its own within a couple of seconds, but to dry the gel, you need to put your fingers in a UV lamp. That is why self-building is easier to do with a gel, although it requires additional equipment.

Nail Extension Technologies

Regardless of which type of nail extension was chosen, the next step is to determine the technology. There are several ways to model a full-fledged artificial nail.

Gel

Today, this material is very popular among salon visitors, which was facilitated by such advantages of the gel:

There are also disadvantages - they are removed for a rather long time and become less resistant if there is a sharp change in temperature.

The gel extension technology itself consists of the following actions:

handles must be treated with a disinfectant;
in the first type of nail extension, first a separate tip is selected for each nail;
then we get rid of the cuticle, which can simply be lifted with an orange stick;
the free edge of the nails is processed with a nail file to give the desired shape;
the top layer of the nail surface is removed;
dust is removed and a base coat is applied, after which the nails are wetted with napkins;
now either tips are glued, or a form with dimensions is fixed;
gel is laid out to form the nail;
pens are sent for half a minute under the light of a UV lamp;
the main layer of the gel is laid out, which dries for 3 minutes;
after drying, the nails are again filed to get rid of excess material;
when the nail is completely ready, you can make a design.

Table "Types of gels"

Existing types of gels for nail extension are presented in the table.

Acrylic

Like any procedure, this extension has a number of positive qualities:

Acrylic extensions also have negative sides:

nails exfoliate faster than after applying the gel;
there is a risk of an allergic reaction;
after removing the coating, the nails have an unaesthetic appearance.

Step by step acrylic building is performed as follows:

the hands of the client and the master are thoroughly disinfected;
then the top layer of the nail plate is completely cut off until the surface becomes perfectly flat;
dust resulting from sawing is removed;
a base agent is applied to the nail, degreasing its surface (primer);
a form is fixed on a natural nail or glued tips;
primer is reapplied;
then acrylic is gradually laid out with a brush, and a little further than the desired length;
when the acrylic dries, the mold is removed;
there is a final creation of the shape of the nails and the alignment of their surface;
a transparent coating is applied to the nails, after which a pattern can be created.

Combined

This type of nail extension is designed to combine all the best qualities of gel and acrylic types. It will make it possible to make nails more durable, as with acrylic extensions, but at the same time shiny, like with gel ones. It is also impossible not to mention the greater number of options for creating a design.

In turn, the combined extension is of the following types:

acrylic base. The gel is applied over the base material and makes the nails shiny.
Gel base. Typically, this extension subtype involves decorating gel nails with acrylic elements, for example, sculpting.
Alternation of materials.
Correction of acrylic nails with gel.

Whichever of the extension subtypes is chosen, you should remember to take good care of your nails. A small minus of the procedure can be called its duration. Also, the type of combination, in which the design on the gel is done with acrylic, is usually used before some kind of event. It can hardly be called everyday because of the inconvenience that modeling can bring.

Silk

With this nail extension, fabric is used - linen, silk, fiberglass. Due to their softness, they are pre-soaked in a special substance that has the ability to polymerize. Additionally, basic materials can be used, i.e. gel and acrylic.

Silk extension technology:

The use of silk extensions allows you to save natural nails, as well as help them become stronger. As a result, the manicure is very neat and natural.

Video "Tissue technology"

The video presents silk technology, the type of nail extension - on tips.

Nail care after extension

Any type of nail extension allows the owner to get a neat manicure. But in order not to waste money on early correction, you need to monitor your hands and, if possible, take care of them.

The service life of artificial nails will increase if:

wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or floors;
do not try to pry or open something with your nails;
keep nails and hands clean, not forgetting to moisturize the cuticles;
have a special glue with you that allows you to get rid of small cracks before going to the master;
For more serious damage, contact a specialist.

When you really want to have gorgeous long nails, and your own begin to break when they reach a certain length, you should not be upset. Nowadays, any woman can become the owner of gorgeous nails in a matter of hours, without having to undergo any painful or unhealthy procedures. Thanks to the rapid development of technology in the twentieth century, it was possible to make a huge leap from false nails to nails that are built up and do not differ at all in appearance from natural ones.

Ways of nail extension.

All types of nail extensions come down to two methods: forms and on tips.

Tips are plastic templates that are superimposed on natural sawn nails with the help of special glue. Then the border between natural and artificial nails is equal. With tweezers and a nail file, the nail is given the desired length and shape, and gel, acrylic or silk is placed on top, if desired. In principle, tips are the same plastic nails that are sold in stalls in the passages. Just don’t pick up, glue, or file them properly, you yourself won’t succeed.

Forms are a plate of foil or plastic with a window for a nail in the middle. The plate is put on the finger, and the edge of the window is substituted under the edge of your nail. And on top with a brush lay out a layer of material (gel or acrylic). When it hardens, the form is removed from under it, and the nail is corrected with a nail file. The use of an extension form is advisable only when the natural nail has at least a small tip (1-2 mm) protruding above the fingertip. In this case, a form is placed under this free edge, which allows you to increase the length of the nail. It also serves as an aid for applying gel or acrylic during nail extension procedures.

Nail extension with gel and acrylic.

According to the type of material used, nail extensions are divided into two main types: acrylic and gel.

Gel nail extension is very popular due to the fact that the nails acquired in this way have not only beauty and naturalness, but also strength and sufficient elasticity to prevent the nail plate from chipping off. Nails extended using gel technology are able to please with their beauty for up to 4 months in case of timely correction. The gel substance from which the artificial nail is formed tends to harden under the rays of a UV lamp. After polymerization, the gel becomes strong and elastic, providing high comfort gel nails. The special qualities of the gel give the nails a natural shine and a beautiful smooth structure of the surface of the nail plate. In terms of price-quality ratio, we will especially highlight the "Vernis" gels.

Nails that built up with acrylic, have their own characteristics, which are directly related to the properties of the material used in the process. Acrylic is a substance that has a powdery appearance, and in order for it to acquire the consistency necessary for successful building-up, it is diluted with a special liquid - monomer. Only an experienced specialist can apply acrylic beautifully and accurately, because acrylic hardens very quickly when interacting with the air. In addition, acrylic in the process of building has a characteristic smell that not everyone likes. After drying, the smell disappears.

You can build up nails with both gel and acrylic both on tips and on forms.

In general, speaking about the differences in gel and acrylic extensions, we can say the following: gel extensions are simpler in technology and more practical to wear, but at the same time more expensive. Acrylic nails are cheaper, when using acrylic, you can make a much more diverse nail design, but at the same time, acrylic tends to peel off and acrylic nails are built up - a process that requires a much higher qualification from the master.

We will talk in more detail about nail extension on tips and forms, as well as gel and acrylic extensions in subsequent articles.

Many women prefer extended nails to their native ones, because they are stronger and do not require constant care: they rarely break, and the color coating lasts for a long time, no matter how much you wash the dishes. To get the desired result from the extension procedure, you need to understand its technology and find a qualified master. We'll help you get the first half done.

Types of nail extension

There are several types of nail extensions, but acrylic and gel have been the most popular for more than a decade. Both materials are strong and durable, but each has its pros, cons and supporters. To choose a material, you need to determine for yourself its main qualities and compare them, which we will continue to do.

Safety

This parameter is one of the most important for all girls, because it is extremely important that after removing the extended nails, your nails do not turn into brittle and exfoliating plates. Acrylic and gel are of different quality, which determines the subsequent condition of the nails. If the master is experienced and uses only high-quality materials, then the extension will be harmless for you. By the way, nails can suffer even if you have contraindications to this procedure.

Strength/durability

Acrylic and gel nails require careful treatment (in moderation). They are many times stronger than human ones, do not react to water and retain their shape, but they should not be tested by repair work.

Nails extended by a qualified specialist using high-quality materials will last at least a month, or even longer - it all depends on the growth rate of your own nails. If the non-native nail is cracked, then the acrylic nail can be quickly repaired by applying a new layer of material, and the gel nail will have to be completely removed and restored.

Material structure

Gel differs from acrylic in its porosity. Despite the fact that it also perfectly holds the varnish coating and is not subject to deformation, this material is able to pass air and moisture, that is, to ensure normal metabolic processes of the nail plate. Acrylic completely covers the nail and needs to be removed quite often to allow the nails to rest and take in nutrients from the outside.

Extension procedure

Acrylic coating is created only with the help of a special powder, liquid and brush. A thick mass is quickly applied to the nail and distributed over its surface during the hardening process. The gel also has a viscous consistency, but is able to spread over the nail. To fix it, a UV lamp is used.

Acrylic after hardening has to be cut down to simulate a smooth and even surface, and the gel is evenly distributed by itself. The UV lamp helps to prevent the life of pathogenic microbes and the development of fungal infections. The gel extension procedure takes less time and even brings some benefits to the nails, in addition to beauty.

Appearance

Gel favorably differs from acrylic in its glossy sheen and unlimited color possibilities. Acrylic in most cases has neutral shades: beige, peach, pink, white. In addition, it tends to turn yellow after 2-3 weeks.

Allergenicity

Acrylic has a specific smell that can cause allergies. The same can be said about its dust, which is formed when cutting off excess material from the nail plate. The gel is hypoallergenic and has no negative effects on the body.

Removal of extended nails

Acrylic is able to penetrate too much into the nail and to remove it, as an application, you have to remove the top layer of the native nail plate, which is very harmful. With an unprofessional extension, the nail can be very damaged. The gel is removed using a special tool and almost does not require any mechanical action.

Separately, it should be noted that nail extension has contraindications, ignorance of which can lead to serious damage to natural nails. This procedure is not recommended for people with diabetes, fungus, skin diseases, pregnant women, people undergoing chemotherapy. This is not the whole list of contraindications, so check with the master if nail extension is safe for you.

Extension methods

Gel and acrylic nails are extended using two possible technologies: on tips or on forms (single or reusable). In the first case, plastic templates are used. The nail is cut off a little, glue and tips are applied to it. After the border is smoothed with a special file, with its help they reach the desired length and shape of the nail. The selected extension material is applied on top. This option is suitable for people whose free edge of the nail has a length of at least 1 mm.

Otherwise, special forms are used for building up (made of paper, foil, plastic or metal). The form is placed under the regrown nail and fixed on the finger. Modeling material is laid out on it. Forms are coated with a special composition that prevents it from connecting with acrylic or gel, which makes it easy to remove them after the material hardens. Please note that the master disinfects the forms if he uses reusable ones.

Stages of nail extension

The extension procedure should begin with an examination of your nails. In no case should there be any injuries or open wounds, trimmed manicure should be carried out no later than 2-3 days. After the master brings the nails into the desired form: files them, disinfects and degreases. Further, the build-up occurs in one of the suitable ways using the selected material.

Many masters practice the use of acrylic in the first phase of extension and gel in the second. In this case, the nail is very strong and with a glossy sheen. However, this method cannot be used continuously; the nails must be freed from superimposed materials so that they can "breathe".

The cured material must be brought into the desired shape and its surface leveled, if we are talking about acrylic. Next, the nail is varnished or sculpted. The gel can only be dyed at the end of the extension, acrylic allows you to add glitter and dyes.

The time of the correction depends on the growth rate of your nail plates, but, as a rule, it is necessary to carry out this procedure once every 2-4 weeks. Completely remove the material once every 3 months, and give the nails a rest for several weeks. You can solve the problem of frequent staining with the help of gel polishes.

The condition of the nails after building up is different for everyone, so it is impossible to predict the damage or benefit brought by foreign materials. Much depends on the skill of the specialist, the quality of the instruments and means used, the state of your body. Pay attention to the accuracy of the work performed.

The condition of the nail is very dependent on how carefully the transition from the natural plate to the artificial one is smoothed out. If the master uses an aggressive file or rushes, it can greatly disrupt the condition of the nail at its base. It will take a long time to grow it, cut it off and strengthen it so that it acquires its former strength.

Nail extension by any of the above methods is acceptable and good in its own way. You need to choose based on a comparison of materials and recommendations of your master, the absence of contraindications.

Every woman dreams of having long, strong nails with a skillful design adorning her fingers? However, the reality is that only every fifth woman can boast of naturally strong nails. The rest are content with "shorties", and even this minimalistic size, given the rhythm of the life of a modern woman, is extremely difficult to maintain. The same women of fashion that have in their “combat arsenal” long and strong nails, like stilettos, cannot always boast of their ideal shape.

Photo from the site: womansecrets.club

Fortunately, the nail industry does not stand still. For more than a decade, manicure masters have been using the gel nail extension procedure on forms, which allows you to create nails of any length and shape that are no different from real ones, except that ... they are stronger. The technique and sequence of gel nail extension on the forms, as well as the essence of the procedure itself - all this is under the eye of the "Perfect Manicure".

Gel nail extension technique on forms

To begin with, let's figure out what the forms for nail extension are. As you know, there are two options for nail extension:

On forms
On tips

Tips are ready-made plastic blanks for future nail tips. They are fixed on an adhesive basis, and modeled using a gel.

Photo from the site: nailart-sho.ru

Forms for creating nails are a kind of substrate with a small window for the nail plate. In the course of work, a modeling gel is applied to the substrates and natural keratin, which after polymerization will be an artificial free edge of the nail. For the convenience of forming this very free edge, there is a drawing in the form of graph paper on the forms, which allows you to calculate the approximate width and length of the formed nail. The basis itself - the form - is removed after the end of the procedure. That is why the nails created on the basis of the forms look thinner than the nails formed on the tips.

Photo from the site: onlinepeek.ru

Forms are of two types:

Disposable, they are also called soft. They are made from paper or flexible plastic and are used only once. Due to the fact that they have a supple structure, they are easy to fit to any contour of the natural nail. However, they can wrinkle during the build-up process and require an accurate “fit”.

Photo from the site: allfornails.ru

Reusable molds are made of hard plastic or metal. Their price is much higher than that of disposable forms, but due to repeated use, they will quickly pay for their cost. In addition, in the process of working with them, such troubles as deformation, the formation of gaps and the flow of gel through them are excluded. The main thing is to choose the forms that are ideally suited to the shape of the natural nail bed, and then you will never have problems with the formation of an artificial nail.

Photo from the website: www.nazya.com

It is believed that extensions on forms require more filigree work and experience from the master, while tips are easier to use. However, the nails formed on the forms look more natural, and this determines their popularity. Fortunately, the Internet is replete with all sorts of video tutorials on gel nail extensions on forms that show the entire procedure with extreme accuracy. A little practice and diligence, and even such a procedure can be handled at home.

What do you need to build nails on the forms?

To build nails on forms, you should stock up on a special kit, which should include the following tools and components:

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Antiseptic.
Express cuticle remover. You can get by with a regular bath to soften the cuticles.
Pusher or orange stick to push back cuticles and pterygium.
Manicure scissors and tweezers for cutting cuticles and side ridges.
Nail files and buffs of various degrees of abrasiveness for creating, decorating and polishing nail plates, both natural and artificial.
Brush for removing nail dust.

No antiseptic anywhere! Never miss this important moment. Untreated nails, hands and tools are a risk for fungal infection. As an antiseptic, medical alcohol, a solution of chlorhexidine, or special disinfectant sprays for manicure are suitable.

Dehydrator for degreasing natural keratin and removing the sticky layer from gel polish.
Primer for adhesion of a natural nail to an artificial material.
Base and top gel coats.
Modeling gel for creating an artificial nail.
Gel brushes.
Colored or camouflage gel polish to create a design, decorative elements, if this item is provided.
Lint-free wipes for removing the sticky layer and degreasing the nail plate.
UF lamp (nail modeling gel polymerizes only under the influence of UF radiation, LED lamp is not suitable for extension. But LED lamp can be used during nail design with gel polishes).
Forms for nail extension.

Stages of gel nail extension on forms

In order to better understand the process technology, consider the procedure for gel nail extension on forms in stages:

Stage 1. Treatment of fingers and nails with an antiseptic.

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Stage 2. Hygienic manicure. Cuticle trimming and pterygium removal.

Photo from the site: krasotkapro.ru

Stage 3. Sawing the free edge of the nail plate. Removing gloss from the surface of the nail with a buff.