Acrylic Nails vs Gel Nails

Acrylic nails vs Gel nails: Which are better to have?

Acrylic nails vs gel nails is always an important topic whenever a woman wants to have artificial nails. There is always a big competition when it comes to choosing between acrylic nails and gel nails, although acrylic nails came before gel nails.

Acrylic nails are more popular than gel nails. They can either be placed on the tips of your fingernails or the whole fingernail itself. Acrylic nails are also the strongest artificial nails among all, mostly when applied correctly and when the correct nail care is practiced, they will last for a long time.



There are two different types of gel nails: light cured and no-light cured. Light cured gel nails are hardened by placing them under a halogen or ultraviolet lamp. No-light cured gel nails are set by spraying or brushing the surface with a gel activator, or dipping the brushed fingernails into water. Light cured nails tend to look more natural and are easier to apply and maintain than no-light cured gel nails. Gel nails are said to be an enhancement because the long-term goal of wearing gel nails is to allow your own nails to grow healthy and beautiful under the gels, so it is as if your gel nails are actually a protective armour for your real nails as they grow again.

There are some various of advantages and disadvantages that might help you decide the right choice of nails for you and if you can't decide it is best that you talk to your nail technician or simply email me and I will help you.

Here are some of the advantages of acrylic nails:

Acrylic nails are easily available than gel nails, so it would be a lot easier for you to have acrylic nails because most of the nail salons offer these over the counter. These nails are commonly preferred by women because they tend to be the strongest, cheapest, and longer lasting than gel nails. Acrylic nails are well known for being more durable than gel nails. Among all artificial nails, these are the ones that last the longest without spending a lot of money and they don't need lots of maintenance. One good thing about having acrylic nails is when it gets damaged or break, you can almost always fix it temporarily and easily by yourself. The process of removing it is more easier, simple, and straightforward if done by a professional nail technician. The nails can be soaked rather than filed off.

Here are some advantages of gel nails:

Gel nails tend to look more natural and glossier than other types of artificial nails. They are better looking on the nail and have a natural feel when wearing them due to their thinness, flexibility, and light weight. Gel nails tend to look natural because of its crystal clear texture that's why it can be mistaken for regular nails. Gel nails are said to be odorless compared to acrylic nails because they don't use offensive smelling chemicals when removing and applying. These strong chemicals used in acrylic nails tend to cause more damage on your own natural nails than the chemicals used in gel nails. The curing time for gel nails is considerably shorter than acrylic nails. When applying the chemical there tends to be less filing involved rather than other artificial nails.

Disadvantages of having acrylic nails:

Acrylic nails can damage your natural nails in a harsher manner than gel nails, since acrylic nails are using stronger chemicals in applying it. When done incorrectly, acrylic nails can look fake instead of natural or can even look worse. Natural nails may have a difficulty in growing under acrylic nails because it tends to be thicker than gel nails.

Disadvantages of having gel nails:

Gel nails don't last long and are less durable than acrylic nails even though they are more expensive. When applying nail polish to the finished gel nails, they don't stick as much and can therefore be removed easier compared to acrylic nail. When damaged or broken, gel nails are more difficult to fix than acrylics because there are not as many salons providing this service and they can't easily be fixed at home because of the gel chemical used. So, when damaged, you need to set an appointment right away with your nail technician. When removing the gel nails, it usually done by filing off not unlike acrylic nails that you can just soak in water.

When looking and deciding for artificial nails that will suit you best, it is always the best way to know the advantages and disadvantages for you to lessen any damage that you will may acquire to your real natural nails. Acrylic nails are always in contrast with gel nails that's why there is always a topic for acrylic nails vs gel nails.


**Thank you so much Rubyran, monibela and quinn.anya for the photos.