Acrylic -vs- Gel Nails

What’s the difference? 

I remember getting acrylic nails just before my wedding.  I knew that the photographer would be taking pictures specifically of my hands and wedding ring, and I wanted my nails to be perfect!  So, off to the beauty salon I went!  Acrylic applications were the only answer at the time, and yes, my nails were beautiful, and I loved them!  That was, until, it was time to have them removed.

I remember that my nails were so damaged from the acrylic, that it was horrible!  My nails were so flat, weak and brittle, and it took months for my nails to recover, that I never wanted to do that to myself or my natural nails again.

I resorted to giving myself a manicure every two weeks, which would include conditioning cuticles, lightly buffing the natural ridges in the nail, and filing them to the length and shape that I wanted.  I spent about three hours each time.  The only problem is that with regular nail polish, I had to touch up my nails and wait for them to dry again almost every two days.  The polish would chip and fade, and the maintenance required with regular nail polish seemed like a waste of time.  I was even buying the high priced nail polish to no avail.  Then, I heard about Gel Nails.

I visited a nail salon and questioned this new product, only to discover that the nail techs really didn’t know much about Gel Nails.  Specifically, I wanted to know if this new application would also damage my natural nails like acrylic.  I really couldn’t get a straight answer.  But, that didn’t stop me, and I kept doing research until I finally found my answer!

Gel Nails ARE much healthier for natural nails than acrylic.  The benefits far outweigh anything else!

The first thing I learned is that you do not need to “rough up” your nail like they do with acrylic.  The only thing is that you need to condition your cuticles, lightly buff the natural ridges, and then file them into shape before the application.  Hey!  That’s what I’ve been doing for just routine maintenance.  I watched a few videos on line that basically taught me how do this at home and it seems no different that applying and removing regular nail polish.  The biggest benefit is that when using the Gel Nails, you ‘bake” the gel onto your nails and you can get that done much quicker because of the UV lamp.  And, you don’t need to touch-up the polish every few days – it will actually last for two to three weeks without touch-ups!  Sign Me Up, right?

Whoa, not so fast!  As I told you, I did the research and found that the majority of products that are available regarding gel nails, acrylic nails, tips, glues and yes, even regular nail polish are toxic!  Yikes.  There they go again.  They’re so excited about selling you their products that they conveniently forget to mention that part.  So, the question now became; can I find Gel Nail products that are toxin free?  Yes, I did, and I am going to share this with you shortly!

Just so you know, The Department of Toxic Substances Control had issued a report in April, 2012 showing that investigators found toxic chemicals in nail products that had "claimed" to be toxic-free. 

Uh, I'm a woman, and yes, I use nail polish almost daily.  Cancer is a word that unfortunately has become more familiar lately, so my ears perked up, and I listen more. 

The study focused on three chemicals known as the "Toxic Trio": 

• formaldehyde, 
• toluene
• and dibutyl phthalate.

Exposure to the chemicals has been linked to cancer and birth defects, according to the state.  "It is just disheartening, distressing and disturbing as a consumer and a regulator," said the director of the department.  The results were surprising and showed that regulators need to work more closely with manufacturers to ensure that labels are accurate, and to determine whether there are safer.

Okay, so what’s the answer?  I found the Elegance Gel Nail System, available through Sisel International.  They offer everything you need, and even added nail tips, glue, base coats and top coats and more to the selection.  I’ve ordered the basic nail kit which includes everything you need to get started doing your own salon-quality nails.  Right now there are 21 different colors, in addition the pink and white (for French Manicures).  It’s an excellent price that will improve my own nails, giving me the extra time that I so badly need.  Plus, I don’t have to run all over town looking for toxin free products.  It’s all delivered straight to my doorstep!

I’d be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the Elegance Gel Nails, so please feel free to contact me.  I’ve got extra time on my hands…,

Joan Bailey

Sisel Brand Distributor