Acrylic nail extension has been known in the beauty world for decades. For a long time, it was the only reliable way to get long and strong nails for a long time. Much later, the extension gel appeared and displaced acrylic in the beauty industry.
Acrylic and gel what are their differences
Nail extension is one of the most popular types of services that beauty salons provide. In fact, not every girl can boast long and strong nails, but in the modern world this is far from being a problem! The natural nail modeling procedure, or extension, comes to the rescue.
There are several classifications of nail extension. First of all, depending on the material used, as a rule, it is acrylic or gel. Second, by the way of construction, either in advice or in forms. When choosing between acrylic and gel, you need to know about their distinctive features and characteristics.
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Acrylic nails
Acrylate is a combination of liquid monomer and powder; When these two elements are mixed, a mass is obtained which, under the influence of heat, solidifies. This reaction is called polymerization.
In acrylic, surface hardening occurs in 5-7 minutes, but polymerization is considered complete only after 24-48 hours. Any impact, pressure and other loads that occur during the reaction will negatively affect the strength of the nails.
From this it follows that the contraction of the material in acrylic is minimal, because the reaction occurs gradually, almost imperceptible for a natural nail. There is no methyl methacrylate in high quality acrylic. It is a very toxic material, after it the Nails become “rags” ”, the sensitivity increases and is therefore replaced by ethyl methacrylate not aggressive. Acrylic nails can be used safely for 3-4 months. As long as the nail correction is done on time. The correction time is selected for each client in different ways: it depends on the nail length and the condition of the client's natural nails.
Pros and cons of acrylic nails:
+ Acrylic nails are easy to remove; To do this, you must place them in a specialized solution.
+ Acrylic is a durable material. It does not require special care when using nails. Indicated for clients who work a lot with their hands. For example, he works at the cashier, the keyboard, who does a lot of housework, cleaning, etc. Also acrylic nails can please customers with their durability, who make extremely long nails with a variety of designs.
+ Acrylic can be used to repair natural nails, if the artificial acrylic nail is broken, it needs to be repaired!
+ The contraction of the material is almost imperceptible by the customer.
+ Acrylic powder is big and heavy compared to gel, less volatile and less breathable.
+ Design. Acrylic is very flexible and can be used to create impressive designs.
- The smell that you have to inhale during the extension makes many girls reject the acrylic extension.
- Dullness. Acrylic must be polished or it can be varnished or coated.
- Acrylic is originally matte and does not shine. Poor quality acrylic can give a yellowish tint over time, which will not add beauty to extended nails.
The most important thing is that in order to choose the right material, you must first take into account the condition of the nail plate. On weak, sore nails, acrylic and gel may not stick; it is necessary to give the nails time to rest.
There is also a misconception that acrylic can cure fungus. It is a myth !!! It is necessary to remove the material and consult a doctor immediately.
Acrylic Nail Safety
Acrylic nails are believed to be somewhat more harmful than gel nails. But this is only true if we compare an expensive gel system and cheap acrylic, which also removes by soaking. If you work with good materials, follow technology and do not abuse solvents (remove nails by cutting), it is not very appropriate to talk about the dangers of acrylic nails.
More precisely, as with any chemistry (even drugs and vitamins), there is an individual intolerance to the components of the acrylic system. But it is very rare. In most cases, these nails wear well and do not cause any inconvenience.
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Basic principles for working with acrylic.
Acrylic nail modeling is a simple process and consists of several stages.
- Standard natural nail preparation (shaping, pushing cuticle back, removing insulating layer with a file or buffing).
- Degrease with a brush or a lint-free cloth.
- The actual modeling: you dip the brush into a monomer, remove excess liquid, dip the tip of a wet brush into powder, form an acrylic ball at the tip, transfer it to the nail, with the help of a brush it is gives the desired shape.
- If it is not possible to form a nail with a ball, the procedure is repeated.
- After a few minutes of air drying, the acrylic nails are filed with a file or a bur to the expected shape and length.
- Irregularities are cleaned with polisher.
- Nails are treated with a degreaser to remove dust and prepare the surface for a top coat.
- To give the acrylic nails a shine at the end of the procedure, they are covered with a gel polish top or a finishing gel with suitable properties. You can use a regular varnish finish, but the effect will be less dramatic.
- Instead of finishing, marigolds can be decorated with a decorative coating - ordinary color varnish or gel varnish.
- To complete the look, treat the cuticle with a special oil.
What materials to choose for acrylic nails
Regardless of the result you want to achieve, you only need one monomer for all occasions. Just buy a small airtight jar (glass or ceramic) to work with. But with acrylic powders you have to be more careful.
If you plan to make a jacket, you will definitely need white acrylic (for nail tips) and camouflage (pink or beige). It can also be used for one-color extensions, when gel polish is supposed to be coated, for example.
You can buy colored acrylic powders and model fully painted nails or a colored jacket. Acrylic with glitter looks interesting: either you need a glitter acrylic powder, or acrylic and glitter are purchased separately and then mixed together.
Don't forget the finish coat and degreaser. You will also need paper forms to style long nails.
This is what you need for the extension procedure.
In addition to the monomer, acrylic powder, and finish, you will need a few more tools, accessories, and materials. Here is a list of the required minimums:
- 2-3 different files: soft for natural nails, for artificial nails (grain 100-180), for sawdust of hard coatings (grain 80-150);
- Polished hard to polish before finishing;
- Orange sticks;
- A tipped cutter that resists acrylic work;
- Brushes for acrylic (at least 2 standard sizes);
- Degreaser;
- Lint-free napkins;
- Monomer jar with hermetically closed lid;
- Cuticle oil.
How to remove acrylic nails
If the gel can only be removed mechanically, then with acrylic you have a choice - it can be removed in two different ways.
- Soak in a special liquid.
- Cut with a strawberry.
In the first case, you need a liquid to remove the acrylic. With prolonged contact, it loosens the polymer and makes it look like slimy putty. Moistened swabs should be applied to the nails and pressed firmly (with foil or special caps). Withstands the time indicated in the instructions for the liquid. The tampons are then removed and the softened material is removed from the nails with shearing movements. A specially designed pusher or scraper is often used as a tool. With this acrylic removal method, there is practically no risk of mechanical damage to the nails. But with frequent soaking in such a strong solvent, the nails become thin, soft and brittle.
For mechanical removal, a router is required. Don't even try to remove the acrylic with a file - it is too hard and inflexible material and the modeling layer is thick. You need a carbide nozzle, preferably cone-shaped or cone-shaped with a rounded end, abrasive medium. You don't need too powerful a router for such a procedure, acrylic can be removed at low speeds. The work requires certain skills, here it is important to remove the acrylic layer not even the very natural nail. It is best to finish the rest of the material with an artificial nail file, taking care not to damage the nail plate. If all conditions are met, mechanical removal in the case of acrylic is more convenient and safe than chemical removal.
What else can you use acrylic modeling for?
In addition to acrylic construction and decorative acrylic sculpture, there are a couple of procedures where the ability to handle the acrylic system will help you a lot. Let's take a closer look at them.
Nail restoration
It is not so uncommon for a natural nail to chip, break, or get "eaten" by a fungus. And its restoration is necessary to still feel an attractive woman. Acrylic is ideal for these purposes.
It is necessary to file the place of damage a little, degrease it. And just simulate the missing piece of the nail. After that, the excess acrylic thickness is removed (with a file or router). If the nail is covered with varnish or gel polish, such repairs will not be noticeable at all.
In pedicures, nails damaged by the fungus are restored with acrylic. Preliminary, with a fabric softener, a cutter removes all damaged fabric. And the acrylic is placed directly on the skin and the remains of the nail bed. With the help of a large brush, the future nail is given the desired thickness and shape. After drying, it can be finished with a strawberry or a hard file. The acrylic “prosthesis” of the nail is ready.
Strengthening under gel polish
The gel is most often used to strengthen the natural nail plate. However, no one forbade this procedure to be done with acrylic. In addition, said reinforcement can be removed by soaking it together with gel polish. While the gel is removed only mechanically.
In addition, the procedure is obtained at very low cost. A thin coat of acrylic requires very little dust and a couple of drops of monomer. But the strengthening is achieved conscientiously: acrylic surpasses gel in its resistance characteristics.
In addition, the gel takes longer to set and generally requires sawdust. If you work confidently with acrylic, after it hardens, it is enough to walk over the backing coat with a hard polish and degrease it.
In which online store to buy an acrylic system?
Buying online has its own risks. You do not have the opportunity to have the tools and materials in your hands in advance. Therefore, it is better to stop at the trading platform that offers a large variety of everything you need and works with reliable suppliers.
Take a look at the acrylic section of the Nails Plus online store. You can choose from a wide range of acrylic and monomer powders. And in the tools section there is an excellent selection of specific brushes for modeling acrylic nails. Here you will find:
- The opportunity to consult with the store manager for free and ask any questions about the status of the order;
- Reasonable prices for all nail products;
- An excellent selection of recognized brands;
- Very convenient order form;
- Fast shipping of purchases through a convenient delivery service for you.
Gel nails
There was an acrylic gel, it also refers to acrylates, there is a misconception that the gel is made on the basis of natural resin, But gel and acrylic belong to the same acrylate system and are considered completely artificial materials.
What is "gel"? Mix polymer and monomer from here and got oligomer. An oligomer is a substance that has an intermediate state, it is a thick, gelatinous substance. This mixture is odorless, the hardening mechanism begins in a special UV lamp, under ultraviolet rays. Thus, the polymerization reaction occurs faster, which causes an unpleasant sensation on the client's nails - a strong burning sensation.
The gel is a hypoallergenic material, it can be liquid, thick or solid, it quickly takes the desired shape and greatly simplifies the work of the master.
Pros and cons of gel nails:
+ Without smell.
+ Quick build-up. With the advent of powerful lamps (36v), the procedure for gel nail extension has become faster.
+ Bright shine, it is preserved even after removing the varnish.
+ Design. The transparent gel has a glass effect, which is why a large design looks so beautiful and unusual. This mica, shell, honeycomb glitter, etc. A variety of colored gels will delight the most capricious customers - these are glitter gels, stained glass, mother-of-pearl, dense gels for French painting.
+ Not susceptible to chemistry. Gel nails cannot be dissolved in any chemicals that housewives use. Cleaning the house will not bring surprises.
- Since the gel is brittle, it can easily crack when used.
- Gel nails cannot be repaired, only removed.
- Reacts to changes in temperature (for example, in a sauna or severe frosts, you should wear gloves).
- It is not so easy to remove nails made with gel technology, They can only be filed, which damages the state of the natural nail.
- The gel powder is very fine. It is better to work with special hoods and vacuum cleaners, wear a mask, goggles and gloves.
- May cause a strong feeling of burning in the lamp.
Based on the above, it is quite difficult to choose the extension technology, the material: Gel or acrylic? Answer the question confidently: "Which nails to choose?" - impossible, it's a matter of personal preference. Therefore, each girl chooses for herself which technology is suitable for her.
It should be noted that many masters stop at the “acrylic + gel” technology, thus combining the strength of the material and the beauty of glitter, but of course, it's up to you! You can learn how to build with gel and acrylic in our nail extension courses.
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