Acrylic nail extensions have 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, 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 provided by nail salons. In fact, not every girl can boast long and strong nails, but in the modern world this is far from a problem! The procedure for modeling natural nails, 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. Secondly, due to the way it is built, whether it is in advice or in forms. Choosing between acrylic and gel, you need to know 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 that, under the influence of heat, solidifies. This reaction is called polymerization.
On 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. is a very toxic material, after it the nails they become "rags", the sensitivity increases and therefore it is replaced by ethyl methacrylate not aggressive. Acrylic nails can be safely used 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 length of the nails 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 checkout, 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 client.
+ 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 stunning 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. Over time, poor-quality acrylic can give a yellowish tint, 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 and 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 immediately consult a doctor.
Acrylic Nail Safety
Acrylic nails are believed to be somewhat more damaging than gel nails. But this is only true if we compare an expensive gel system and a cheap acrylic, which is also removed by soaking. If you work with good materials, follow the 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 medicines 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 down 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 preparation of natural nails (shaping, pushing back the cuticle, removing the insulating layer with a file or polishing).
- Degrease with a brush or a lint-free cloth.
- The actual modeling: you dip the brush in a monomer, remove the excess liquid, dip the tip of a wet brush in powder, an acrylic ball is formed at the tip, transferred to the nail, with the help of a brush it is rubbed off. give 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 down with a file or bur until they achieve the expected shape and length.
- Irregularities are cleaned with polish.
- Nails are treated with a degreaser to remove dust and prepare the surface for a top coat.
- To give acrylic nails a shine at the end of the procedure, they are covered with a top for gel polish or a finishing gel with suitable properties. You can use a normal 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 tightly sealed 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 the tips of the nails) and camouflage (pink or beige). It can also be used for one color extensions, when the gel polish is supposed to be coated, for example.
You can buy colored acrylic powders and model completely 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.
Don't forget the topcoat and degreaser. You will also need paper forms for modeling long nails.
This is what you need for the extension procedure.
In addition to the monomer, acrylic powder, and finish, you'll 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 (100-180 grit), for sawdust for hard coatings (80-150 grit);
- Hard polish to polish before finishing;
- orange sticks;
- A collated burr that stands up to working with acrylic;
- Brushes for acrylic (at least 2 standard sizes);
- degreaser;
- Lint-free napkins;
- Monomer jar with tightly 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 acrylic. With prolonged contact, it loosens the polymer and makes it look like slimy putty. Moistened swabs should be applied to the nails and firmly pressed (with foil or special caps). Withstand 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 motions. A pusher or scraper specially designed for this purpose is usually used as a tool. With this method of removing acrylic, 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. Do not even try to remove acrylic with a file - it is too hard and inflexible material and the modeling layer is thick. You need a carbide nozzle, preferably in the form of a cone or a cone with a rounded end, medium abrasive. Too powerful a router is not needed 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 to the very natural nail. It is better 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 safer than chemical removal.
What else can you use acrylic modeling for?
Besides 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's not that uncommon for a natural nail to chip, break, or be "eaten away" by a fungus. And its restoration is necessary in order to still feel an attractive woman. Acrylic is ideal for these purposes.
It is necessary to file down a place of damage a little, to degrease it. And just simulate the missing piece of the nail. After that, the excess acrylic thickness is removed (with a file or a router). If the nail is covered with varnish or gel polish, then such repairs will not be noticeable at all.
In pedicures, nails damaged by the fungus are restored with acrylic. Preliminarily, with a softener, a cutter removes all damaged tissue. And the acrylic is placed directly on the skin and the remnants 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 bur 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. Also, such 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 a very low cost. A thin layer of acrylic requires very little powder and a couple of drops of monomer. But strengthening is obtained conscientiously: acrylic surpasses gel in its resistance characteristics.
Also, hardening of the gel takes longer and usually requires sawdust. If you confidently work with acrylic, then after it hardens, it is enough to walk over the reinforcing layer with a hard polisher and degrease it.
In which online store to buy an acrylic system?
Buying online has its own risks. You don't have the opportunity to get the tools and materials in your hands in advance. Therefore, it is better to stop at the trading platform that offers a huge assortment of everything you need and works with trusted providers.
Take a look at the acrylic section of the Nails Plus online store. You can choose from a wide range of acrylic powders and monomers. 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 here and get an 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 accumulation. With the advent of powerful lamps (36v), the gel nail extension procedure has become faster.
+ bright shine, it is preserved even after removing the varnish.
+ Design. 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 chemicals. Gel nails cannot be dissolved in any chemicals that housewives use. House cleaning will not bring surprises.
– Since the gel is brittle, it can easily crack when used.
– Gel nails cannot be repaired, only removed.
– Reacts to temperature changes (for example, in a sauna or severe frost, you need to wear gloves).
– It is not so easy to remove nails made using 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, glasses and gloves.
– May cause a strong sensation of burning in the lamp.
Based on the above, it is quite difficult to choose the extension technology, material: gel or acrylic? Answer the question with confidence: "Which nails to choose?" – impossible, it is 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 technology "acrylic + gel", thus combining the strength of the material and the beauty of gloss, but, of course, it's up to you! You can learn to build with gel and acrylic in our nail extension courses.