Gel nails: what are the advantages of the latest trend in manicure

Like it or not, nails matter and send a message. It’s not something new: archaeologists discovered Egyptian mummies around 7,000 years ago, with their golden fingernails and the flames on their fingers dyed with henna, a natural plant. The ancient Babylonians did the same a few centuries later: they used kohl, a mineral-based cosmetic still in use, to dye their fingernails.

La primera aproximación al esmalte de uñas comes from cultura china, dated de hace unos 5 mil años, aunque no fue hasta la decada de 1920, gracias a la adhesión de la nitrocellulose, que estos products commeenzaron a parecerse a lo que conocemos y usamos Today.

Since then, both types of enamels and enamelling techniques have multiplied. Very popular in recent years, permanent enamel is the favorite of many people thanks to its durability and resistance: if done well, it promises to last at least three weeks without “flaking” or deteriorating.

Another more striking trend, although increasingly common thanks to fashion and social networks—since it abounds on Instagram and TikTok—are nail extensions, notoriously longer than natural ones. Rosalía blew them up, followed by Paloma Mami and now a lot of people are using them in their daily lives. But are they really safe and comfortable?

Two nail experts will help us better understand this trend by using a new material that is much less corrosive and easier to use than acrylic: gel. On the one hand, Gabriela Olea, founder of the nail salon come on baby , which has positioned itself as one of the most recognized spaces in its field, which will soon have a second branch. On the other, Josefina Cerda Reinbach, better known Jo The Nail Artist on Instagram where he has hundreds of patrons shaking hands to be decorated.

At Go Babe, says Gabriela, they work with their fingernails sweet jelly, which are “free of toxic chemicals, odorless and more environmentally friendly”. Basically, “they combine the best of acrylic, false nails and gel”.

In practice, that means “they come off easily, they’re ready-to-use nails, they don’t need to be shaped or structured, and they’re bonded with a soft gel using gel polishes. ‘an ultraviolet LED lamp’. A much easier process that reduces working times, hurts the natural nail less and is more comfortable for the user. According to specialized site Nailists “is the preferred system for celebrities in Los Angeles”, precisely for its “speed, comfort and natural appearance”.

At Go Babe, they work with the Gel-X brand and their line hit a nail. “They are the creators of this revolutionary system, which buries conventional nail extension systems.” To adhere and protect the nail, they generally use the technique of capturewhich consists of applying a layer of this Gel-X on the natural nail, “without lengthening it, just to give it a little more firmness”.

This material makes the nail look more natural than acrylic, allowing for a more realistic finish. In addition, the nails are lighter and more flexible, with less tendency to break. They last between two and four weeks.

Josefina, on the other hand, works with a product known as gum gel, a format “which needs a lamp to harden”, he explains. “It’s more flexible and lighter than acrylic, so it tends to break less and it works well on any nail type.”

In his case, the extension of the nails is done with a mold, “a stickers which sticks to the nail and on which we sculpt the shape and length that we wish to give.

The durability is about a month, “mainly due to nail growth”. It is also very quick to apply, quite resistant, free of odors and contaminants —unlike acrylic, which releases a lot of monomer— and, depending on the chosen thickness, with a very natural result.

“It is a very comfortable method, as it guarantees perfect nails for weeks”, said Cosmopolitan manicurist Ioana Cristescu. “In addition, it is very versatile: it allows any type of shape, length and decoration. It is a flexible material and therefore more resistant to blows”.

The care, according to Josefina Cerda, is basically the same as for a perm. This involves, among other things:

• Do not keep your hands under water for a long time;
• Wear gloves when cleaning, washing dishes or other tasks with corrosive products;
• Avoid hitting them so they don’t pry.

“It is also very important to do the fillings or removals at the indicated time,” explains the nail artist, because this way we avoid wear and tear due to misuse. From Go Babe they emphasize ‘do not bite them or put them in your mouth as this wears out the material. Do not play with them, much less use them as a tool”. What do you mean? As you can imagine: not even to open jars, scratch enemies or remove screws. Nor to remove the sticker or the glue, one of the movements that must be avoided so that the nail survives the expected time.

“Aunt, are you sticking your fingernail in the cocoa? » Carlos Peguer, of podcast The dick and the quinqui” , to the Spanish singer Ana Mena, who had nails much longer than the average person. “Of course… like this outNo dad inside“, she replied, about the way she took cocoa butter from a container.

It is that with these extensions, there are several situations of daily life that will change. In this same conversation, they mention ordinary little moments that become very strange, like calling the elevator—she has to do it with her fist—, flushing the toilet—she just has to use her knuckles—or use any touch screen. The Queen of Embarrassing Situations collects the cards from the floor of a completely smooth slab. Fashionable discomfort.

If you opt for one of the two techniques we have discussed —soft gel or gum gel—it does not imply having them as long as Cardi B. The length is always discussed with the professional who does the service. At Go Babe, says Gabriela, they first assess the natural nail and then suggest: the most important thing is that it is compatible with the lifestyle. For example, “in bitten or greasy nails, a long nail extension will never last long,” he mentions.

“A lot of places you go to get your nails done and they don’t explain anything to you, but it’s important to have some knowledge and explain the procedure and how it works to the client. That way the client’s nails won’t be not damaged and there will be no harmful results,” he warns.

This can be the great fear of many people. If you are unlucky enough to have this happen to you, there is a standard procedure. If it’s a nail gum gel, the ideal is to remove the complete extension, because “if the product is lifted a little and you leave it for a long time, water may leak and a fungus may form”. That’s why it’s important to “take it off and don’t stick it back in the house”. In no way hit with the droplet.

“If the natural nail is also broken and bleeding, it must be removed very carefully and only redone the extension once completely healed”, he warns. “As manicurists, we can only work on healthy nails,” he warns.

while with the sweet jelly, Gabi specifies that “it does not happen that a nail breaks, since its material is flexible, which makes it more durable. But one might come loose.” In case that happens, at least at Go Babe they have a warranty. “If you lose one due to an accident, you can book with us to fix that nail, and you just pay for that.”

You may have heard it from a lady in a store or it’s just a voice in your subconscious saying, “longer nails are harmful.” But this is not the case. Or that’s what the two specialists say.

“Generally there is a myth that extensions or permanent enamel damage the natural nail,” says Josefina. “A lot of people are terrified of it, but the truth is extensions don’t harm them; what causes the damage is a bad procedure or bad care,” says Gabriela.

This is why the evaluation or the first conversation with the manicurist is very important: he must not only evaluate your nails and their condition, but also your lifestyle and your intentions. In this way, it will be possible to determine the most comfortable length or that best suits your life, which will also reduce the risk of breakage.

“One of the most important things in manicure is communication with the client: you have to educate her, because sometimes she doesn’t know anything about nails and she risks suffering damage if you don’t give her the right information”,

“The hygiene that the nail salon has is also very important: it is crucial for a safe service,” says Josefina. Wearing gloves, changing and disinfecting tools between each client, as well as the work table, are essential.

If the place where you are planning to do this does not have these basics, it is better to retire and opt for one that meets the sanitary standards that keep you safe.

In the case of soft gel, it is important that it is always done by a professional, because it is in this part of the process that many nails end up being damaged. “We take nail health very seriously and that’s why we carry out the removal very carefully,” explains Gabriela Olea.

What does gel nail removal involve? “We first spin the enamel that is on the extension, then we apply a remover and wrap the fingers for about 10 minutes.” After some time, the product is removed using an embosser and a sponge file, always very carefully. “It’s important to note that the closer you get to the natural nail, the less file you need to use,” he says.

Those gum gel Those that Josefina Cerda works with must also be professionally removed, as a lathe is used to do so. “A bad removal, or removing them yourself at home, can remove layers of the natural nail and thus weaken them”, he underlines. In fact, she believes that’s where the myth comes from that extensions or permanent nail polish damage the nail.

“People let it go for a long time, and if it’s removed incorrectly, it can damage the nail plate a lot,” he says. As for the technique, it “avoids making a full out if they’re going to make a new serve immediately.” In this case, always try to leave a base to protect the nail. This way, customers can come back every month without a problem.