Video: Nail extension with acrylic. Nail extensions: gel or acrylic - which is better, features, pros and cons Extended nails pros and cons reviews

Nails are produced using gel and acrylic methods. They have only one thing in common - they can be made on tips and forms. Otherwise, each of these methods has its pros or cons.

The advantages of acrylic extensions are, of course, the strength of the nail plates, elasticity and a gentle effect on the nail’s own structure. In addition, an easy way to remove such nails using a solution is attractive. This procedure is painless and does not take much time. Also, an undoubted advantage is the possibility of doing everything without damage. These do not break, do not flake and do not require special moisture.

Acrylic nails do not require a break between extensions. Nails under acrylic coating “breathe” freely. Even if acrylic extensions are carried out on thin, weak, bitten nails, the possibility of burns and allergies is excluded. Acrylic nails last a very long time and do not require weekly nail polish. Native, natural nails under acrylic coating become stronger and stronger.

The disadvantages of acrylic extensions include the fact that it is difficult to find specialists in such extensions, since the technology has not yet been well studied. It is necessary to use only proven materials of high quality, avoiding the use of dubious and cheap products. If you do not cover your nails with gel after extensions and wash off the nail polish with a product containing acetone, your acrylic nails will lose their shine.

The positive qualities of gel extensions include their beauty, glossy shine and ease of processing. They are easy to file; after removing the gel, the nails hold their shape better, their fragility is eliminated, and their firmness and elasticity increases. In addition, due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation during extensions, the nail plate of the natural nail is strengthened. Gel nails are touched up once a month, they are durable, chemical resistant and very comfortable.

The disadvantages of gel extensions include discomfort during the procedure. Under the influence of photo rays, a deep effect occurs on the structure of the nail and a burning sensation appears. Gel nails are thicker than acrylic nails and do not look as natural. When designing such nails, you need to limit yourself to a pattern or a single-color varnish, since, under the influence of UV rays, glitter or other substances included in the varnish can dull the shine of the nails and be distributed unevenly over the surface.

You need to choose an extension method based on the condition of your own nails, as well as after weighing the pros and cons of each of the above methods.

Marina Ignatieva

Reading time: 10 minutes

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Every girl wants to be irresistible. To make your look complete and stylish, even little things like nails can play an important role. Beautiful and well-groomed nails make a woman sexy and attractive. But, unfortunately, not everyone has been blessed with such beauty by nature. But don’t worry, modern cosmetology will help you solve the problem of ugly and short nails, and you will soon have a new one - to the envy of your friends.

Nail extension is a simple procedure that will help make your hands neater and your image complete. Before you decide to have the procedure, read interesting reviews and see useful video lessons about nail extensions.

Nail extensions – pros and cons of nail extensions

Exist pros and cons of nail extensions , having learned about which, you will decide whether you need nail extensions or not.

Video: What is nail extension, how is the procedure done?

Pros of nail extensions

Cons of nail extensions

• Quite a high cost of the nail extension procedure;
• When preparing the nail, it will be exposed to mechanical devices, damaging it;
• If you come across an unscrupulous master, deformation of the nail may occur;
• You may develop an allergy to the components that make up the extension materials;
• If the extended nail breaks, it breaks in the middle of the nail plate, which is very painful and does not lead to anything good.
• Extended nails require correction, so you will have to find time and money to visit the salon;
• Natural nails become thinner after removing extensions. You will have to spend a lot of effort to get your natural nails in order.
• Gel nails cannot be removed, they will have to be filed off. Only a master can perform such a procedure.

Materials for nail extensions: acrylic and gel - their advantages and disadvantages

At the moment, there are 2 main materials for nail extensions - acrylic and gel.

Honestly, gel and acrylic belong to the same group of “acrylates”, so it’s impossible to say for sure which is better. Each person chooses the most optimal extension option and follows it. Currently there is a special technology that allows you to combine acrylic and gel : first, acrylic is applied to the nail, which makes the nail stronger, then gel is applied to add shine.

Video: Gel nail extensions

Video: Acrylic nail extensions

All methods of nail extension - with tips, with paper forms, with top forms, with liquid tips

There are several types of nail extensions. Each type is different from each other and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Extension on tips
Tips are plastic plates that are attached at one end to the nail before applying gel or acrylic. After applying the material, the extended nails are covered with varnish and a design is applied. The color and size of tips can be very diverse. Exist liquid tips (reusable forms with which an artificial nail is made. This method does not use disposable forms or tips).
An important advantage of liquid tips is failure to use glue . Glue is the most toxic substance used for any nail extension. Using liquid tips you can:

• Create reusable forms, which significantly saves the budget;
• Create the perfect arched jacket;
• Create unique and complex designs;
• Possibility of creating a pedicure.

Correctly selected tips can use only a small part of the nail that protects your nails. After fixing the tips, the nails can be given any shape or length. Here everything depends only on the imagination and skill of the master.

Form nail extensions
The forms are disposable paper bases, the outer side of which is coated with a special compound, and the inner side is coated with an adhesive component. Paper forms are thrown away after use. Exist reusable forms , made of metal . These forms are attached to the nail using a metal clip. For subsequent use, the metal mold must be disinfected.

Nails after extensions - how to care for them?

Many people believe that it is not necessary to take care of your nails after extensions. But that's not true! Any material does not last forever and requires special care, especially since natural nails tend to grow. There is no way to do this without correction of extension plates .

To make your nails look beautiful and not break, it is important to follow some rules:

• Neither gel nor acrylic nails tolerate acetone. So choose nail polish remover without acetone, use non-aggressive household chemicals;
• Do not use wire cutters or scissors. A polisher and file for extended nails will help you adjust the length of your nails;
• Don't hit your nails on a hard surface, do not drop heavy objects on them and be careful;
• Take care of your cuticles. To prevent hangnails from forming and to keep the cuticle moisturized, moisturize it with vegetable oils. If your cuticle grows too quickly, use a special product to slow down its growth;
• Do not take a bath before a manicure, use only softening oils. This will help prevent damage to your nails;
• If after a hot bath you dive into a cold pool, you can damage your nails;
• When painting extended nails with varnish, use only high quality varnishes. Pay attention to the consistency and shelf life of the varnish;
• It is recommended to go for correction at least once every 3 weeks;
• Do not resort to hardware manicure services. It contributes to weakening and brittleness of nails;
• Don't try to fix a broken nail yourself;
• It is recommended to remove extended nails only in salons;
• Do not cover your extended nails with a thick layer of varnish.

These are the basic rules for caring for extended nails, following which you will preserve their beauty and durability.

How much does nail extension cost in salons in Moscow and St. Petersburg?

There are many salons in Moscow and St. Petersburg that provide nail extension services.
Prices may vary depending on the specialty of the craftsmen and the classification of the salon . On average, for nail extensions in Moscow you will have to pay 2500 rubles, the correction will cost you 1300 . In St. Petersburg, for nail extensions, you will have to pay 2200 rubles, and the correction will cost 1000 rubles.
Choose salons with a good reputation and professional craftsmen, so as not to regret your choice!

Beautiful, well-groomed fingernails with a perfect manicure are the dream of every woman. But there is not always enough time to take care of your nails. Every woman at least once in her life wanted to try to grow her nails. Most often, this is hindered by a lack of objective information. Is it harmful, is it convenient or not? We will try to debunk many myths associated with extended nails and evaluate all the pros and cons of extensions.

What types and materials are there for extended nails?

There are only two types of nail extensions: tips and forms. Materials used: acrylic, gel, resin, silk. The composition of the resin is practically no different from the gel, but it is more durable. Silk is the same technology as the gel technology, only a piece of flax, silk or synthetic fiberglass is placed between the tip and the gel layer to strengthen it.

Tips- these are plastic templates that are applied to natural filed nails using special glue. Then the border between natural and artificial nails is equalized. Using tweezers and a file, the nail is given the desired length and shape, and gel, acrylic, resin and silk are placed on top if desired. All together it takes 3 hours.

Forms- these are plates made of foil or plastic with a window for the nail in the middle. The form is applied to the nail, and the edge of the window is placed under the edge of the natural nail. The extension material is applied on top, after which the form is removed from under the nail - and the desired shape is given using a nail file. But you must keep in mind that you can only extend nails onto forms if the length of your nails is at least 1 mm. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to place the mold. The whole process takes 1.5-2 hours.

What is the difference between different extension materials? And what is better for you specifically: gel or acrylic?

Acrylic It is a mixture of powder and liquid – a special liquid. When applying acrylic to nails, it hardens in a couple of minutes - so you need to have time to apply it, and then carefully file off all the unevenness and lumps.

Pros of acrylic extensions:

High-quality acrylic does not contain methyl methacrylate, a very toxic material that turns nails into hypersensitive “rags.” It has now been replaced with non-aggressive ethyl methacrylic.

Acrylic on forms is stronger and more durable than gel.

Acrylic has unlimited color possibilities. Acrylic nails can be done in any color and with any glitter.

By wearing acrylic nails, you can do household chores without worry - which is very important for modern women.

Acrylic extensions are very suitable for nails that have a small nail bed or poor shape (for example, bitten or with very rounded edges).

Disadvantages of acrylic extensions:

First of all, when applying acrylic extensions, there is a possibility of allergies to the chemicals contained in acrylic.

Even high-quality acrylic does not allow air to pass through, and after three weeks it must be removed to allow the nails to breathe.

Acrylic coating requires special filing and sanding, and such dust has a very strong and unpleasant smell and can cause allergies.

You will have to remove polish from acrylic nails with a liquid without acetone, since the chemical components contained in acrylic are dissolved by acetone.

Acrylic does not spread well, so after application it takes a long time to level and sand.

Acrylic is initially dull and does not shine; even polishing does not give the same effect as gel. And over time it may begin to turn yellow.

Gel– this is a newer material for extensions, as it is a chemically developed polymer and is as close as possible to a natural nail in properties and functions. The most modern gels are gels with a non-stick surface, which after hardening create a perfectly smooth, shiny layer. In addition, the gel has a “breathing” effect and hardens only under the influence of UV rays, without having an unpleasant odor.

Pros of gel extensions:

Gel is a porous natural polymer; it allows air to pass through and allows your nails to breathe.

Under the gel, the nails continue to grow and stop peeling.

The gel hardens in a UV lamp, and ultraviolet treatment eliminates the possibility of fungus appearing.

The gel is “self-leveling”, that is, when applied to the nail, it spreads and becomes smooth. In addition, it has the same elasticity as a natural nail and moves with it. Therefore, artificial nails do not fall off. And the varnish from such nails can be removed with acetone.

Gel nails are highly shiny, do not turn yellow even after a long time and have a perfectly smooth surface.

Disadvantages of gel nail extensions:

Treatment with a UV lamp also has a downside: a photochemical reaction occurs, which is accompanied by the release of heat, and the nails “sear” very much. And when the gel is removed, it has to be removed with a file or a device, which can injure the nail.

Gel on molds is more fragile than acrylic and may crack more easily. But you won’t be able to remove the gel coating yourself; it can only cause harm.

Ideal technology "Acrylic+gel". Acrylic in the first layer gives the nail strength, and gel in the second layer gives shine.

Resin first began to be used in medicine in dental treatment. This is a light-hardening substance that does not contain chemically hazardous components. The technology for resin extensions is similar to gel extensions.

Pros of resin extensions:

Natural appearance.

Nails are elastic and have a natural color.

Disadvantages of resin extensions:

Quite a high price.

How beautiful it is to have artificial nails is up to everyone to decide for themselves. Some advantages are undeniable: extensions correct the unattractive shape of your nails and give a pleasant color to your nails. To extend your nails or not is, of course, up to you. But, if you have no contraindications and have a strong desire, then why not? After all, only by doing something can you sometimes understand whether you need it.

For various reasons, not all women can grow long nails to make their hands appear graceful and sophisticated. Two types of nail extensions come to their aid: acrylic and gel. This article is about gel extensions and the main trends in nail design 2018.

Pros of the gel

Gel is a modern material for nail extension. In its properties, it is closest to the properties of a natural nail than acrylic. The gel hardens in a special UV lamp or LED lamp. A significant plus is that the gel is odorless. Once cured, the gel creates a durable, shiny surface that can be customized with a variety of designs. In addition, such material as gel damages the nails less, which is an advantage of gel extensions.

The gel material on nails is very durable and lasts quite a long time, usually more than four weeks. Most often, girls turn to a nail stylist for extensions earlier, because an overgrown nail looks ugly. Nail extensions using gel allow you to choose any length and shape.

There are a few more disadvantages to nail extensions. Some types of gels can “cook” when dried in a lamp, which of course does not have a positive effect on the natural nail plate.

When removing gel nails, the material is cut off, thereby thinning its natural plate. Some girls, after extending their nails with gel, cannot get them in order again for a long time, even using various strengthening agents for the nail plates.

Cracks may appear due to strong temperature changes, this is especially common in winter, which will lead the girl to correction. And if the gel plate breaks completely, then it is impossible to “repair” it, you will have to do the extension on this nail again.

In some cases, it happens that the gel. This will also be followed by a correction. Using cheap, low-quality material will most likely lead to disastrous results.

Despite some disadvantages of gel nails, many people prefer this material. If a girl decides to get her nails extended for the first time, then it is better to consult with a specialist; he will be able to recommend the most suitable method of extension for her, taking into account the type and structure of the nails.

Fashionable nail design with gel

Nowadays, trends are increasingly coming down to the fact that many advanced ladies no longer make designs on all their nails, voluminous flowers, or glue large rhinestones.

Hits 2018:

• manicure with negative space, minimalistic and graphic design;

• we decorate one or maximum two fingers in an original way;

• more often we ask you to do a lunar, monochromatic, or maximum of three colors manicure in different color variations;

• classic, color and with geometry;

• matte and ruffian manicure.

As for the length of the nails. In 2018, long nails are rapidly returning to fashion. Influential celebrities Nicki Minaj, Kelly Osbourne, Adele, Beyoncé and Rihanna became trendsetters. They prefer a spectacular manicure. As we see, nails are decorated with sparkles, beads, and rhinestones.

And the choice is yours! But don’t forget about common sense, try to choose with your specialist the length and design of your nails so that you feel comfortable.

All girls care about their appearance. To do this, they regularly do special procedures. One of the most popular is nail extensions. After this, they become long and beautiful, which is what every lady dreams of. The procedure itself is quick and painless, which attracts even more attention. But few people think about whether it is harmful to grow nails.

Advantages and disadvantages

This procedure evokes extremely positive emotions in most girls. However, nail extensions have pros and cons that are important for everyone to know about. It is from these that some possible risks arise.

pros

The benefits of nail extensions seem obvious. In fact, their number is much greater than it seems. These include:

This is enough to interest any girl in the procedure. But you should always think in advance about possible negative consequences.

Minuses

There is nothing that is without its shortcomings. When building up, everyone still faces the negative side. What can a girl expect:

• Damage to natural nails. When artificial plates are removed, cosmetic damage remains on their own.
• Risk of harm. Under certain conditions, nail health may be harmed.
• The importance of the master's skills. If you entrust the work to an inexperienced person, you can seriously damage your nails.
• A number of contraindications. If you are pregnant, have fungus on your fingers, have wounds or have plate injuries, you will not be able to attend this procedure. If you have diseases of the endocrine, digestive or excretory systems, as well as taking certain medications, artificial modeling is also prohibited.

As a rule, people turn a blind eye to such shortcomings. Only a few give them meaning.

Harm

When applying extensions, every girl runs the risk of ruining her natural nails. Therefore, questions about whether nail extensions are harmful should be considered at the stage of preparation for the procedure. A negative impact can be caused by the fault of the master, from the process itself, as well as from the material used or the characteristics of its application.

Damage due to the fault of the master

Often, all sorts of risks are complicated by a lack of experience or dishonesty of the master. The final beauty of the plates and the health of the nails in the future depend on it. If you choose the wrong nail salon, the damage to your nails grown there can manifest itself in the following:

It is important to take the issue of choosing a master for such work seriously. It is advisable to give preference to proven specialized salons, where clients are served by experienced manicurists.

Main harm

Not everyone experiences harm from nail extensions. But if you repeat this procedure regularly, the risk of encountering it will increase. Even with the involvement of an experienced master, a girl may suffer from the following problems:

It is difficult to say for sure whether extended nails are harmful. Much depends on random factors and the master. But there is a difference in the materials used.

Gel and acrylic. Harm

As a rule, nail extensions are made with gel or acrylic. There is a difference between these two materials, expressed in the special advantages of each of them. However, they both can do their damage.

Gel

The gel shines very brightly and does not lose its shade for a long period, while it is very easy to apply to the surface of the nails. The main advantage of gel nail extensions is providing natural plates with access to oxygen. However, it requires cutting down every 2 weeks and can also crack occasionally.

Is it harmful to extend nails with good gel? All the problems listed in the main section can affect this tool. Also, people who use gel are more likely to experience the development of nail fungus and allergic reactions, and the artificial plates themselves sometimes cause serious injuries to natural ones.

It also has a special negative impact associated with additional equipment. We are talking about an ultraviolet lamp that is used to dry gel nails. Foreign doctors have noticed that cancerous tumors often develop in those who dry their nails under a UV lamp. It is believed that an increased dose of ultraviolet radiation destroys skin cells, increasing the risk of malignant tumors. Thus, a 48-year-old woman who visited a nail salon 8 times a year was diagnosed with skin cancer. If you adhere to the normal build-up frequency, then it is almost impossible to encounter such a problem due to the fault of the UV lamp.

Acrylic

Are acrylic nail extensions dangerous? They are considered the least harmful, because... the amount of hazardous substances in them is insignificant. The main advantages are the rapid restoration of natural nails, high strength, no need to use a UV lamp, and the possibility of long-term wear. The disadvantages include an unpleasant odor after the extension procedure, the gradual appearance of a yellow tint and the need for additional sanding.

Peculiarities of the harmful effects on humans include an increased risk of developing infections that are caused by bacteria accumulating in the interlayers of the plates. Also, the chemicals that are used when using acrylic have a serious impact, penetrating into the skin, which can seriously damage the natural nail.

Care

Any nails after extensions require constant care. If this is not done, problems will arise and their appearance will suffer. You need to follow simple rules:

1. You only need to grab things with your fingertips.
2. It is forbidden to cut artificial plates, because this will cause injury.
3. When coming into contact with chemicals, wear rubber gloves.
4. You should regularly remove dirt under your nails using a toothpick.
5. The edges of the nails and cuticles should be lubricated with oil twice a day.
6. It is recommended to lubricate your hands with vitamin E cream daily.

conclusions

Is nail extension harmful or not? It all depends on the experience of the master, the quality of the materials used, the absence of contraindications and proper care. But even if these points are observed, there is a small risk of harming yourself, even if the probability is low. Everyone must answer this question for themselves, because for some the risks are unacceptable, while others never take them seriously at all.