Yes. Fortunately, there is no real downside to painting on top. The only thing to consider is how it may affect the aesthetics of your nails. With the gel manicure already on the nails, you must be careful not to layer up on polish so much that you end up with really thick nails.
Polish change is a mini manicure and pedicure offered by almost all spas and nail salons, it has to do with the removal of the old polish and the application of a new one.
So in summary, yes you can apply gel polish over builder gel - just make sure you follow the right steps for a beautiful and long-lasting manicure.
In most nail spas, to get a normal polish change will cost between $12 to $15 but when talking about gel polish, it costs between the range of $20 to about $25.
Since gel nail polish can be worn for weeks on end without even the tiniest chip, stretching the life of your manicure is tempting. However, Hadley suggests removing a gel manicure after two to three weeks maximum to avoid damaging nail beds and cuticles.
Gel nails usually last 2–3 weeks. While people can safely have gel nails every few weeks, dermatologists recommend keeping the nails bare for at least 1–2 weeks in between manicures. This helps to strengthen, repair, and rehydrate the nails.
If you just allow your gel nails to grow out, they can become weak and brittle as a result of being exposed to water and air, which could potentially damage your natural nails.
To keep your nails healthy, it's safest to have your gels removed at the salon. Removal fees can cost anywhere between $10-$20.
To quickly remove gel polish, most nail salons applying acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to your nails and wrap them in aluminum foil. If residual polish isn't easily removable after a 10 minute waiting period, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, for a clean finish.
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.
Great news for all nail enthusiasts. You can paint over gel nail polish with regular nail polish. Not only is it possible, but it is frequently done. Many people paint over their gel nail polish to spice up their look or to hide a chipped nail from prying eyes.
Experts suggest that nail polish wearers take breaks from gel and acrylic manicures for several reasons. First, gel manicures need to be removed and reapplied every two weeks. This causes wear and tear on the nail cells, and can lead to ridges in the nails and a condition called keratin granulation.
This is so important as the gel needs a full and proper cure, and your Nail Lamp will not be able to properly cure gel polish that has been applied too thick. You can then build up the colour using your thin coats until you're happy. We recommend 2-3 coats, depending on the opacity you're looking for.
Longer Lasting
Gelous UV/LED Gel Nail Polish holds up for 2 weeks or more without any peeling, chipping or fading. Whilst regular nail polish only lasts for 2-3 days before showing signs of wear, with Gel Nail Polish you'll only have to redo your nails simply because they've grown out.
It depends on the salon, but usually during a polish change the nail technician won't file your nails down, won't cut your cuticles (you're never supposed to cut your cuticles at the salon, anyway), and they may skip the soaking part.
"Gel polishes are more flexible, so they stand up to chips; gels are cured under a LED or UV nail lamp and polishes cure in oxygen. Gels have to be removed by soaking in acetone for at least ten minutes, while polishes can be easily wiped away with nail polish remover.”
Post-Gel Problem #1: There are white spots or lines on your natural nail, and/or the nail plate feels uneven. Post-gel damage is typically caused by the removal process. Using the wrong tools and technique can leave tips with microtrauma.
The easiest and fastest way to take off gel polish at home is to use acetone-soaked cotton balls wrapped in tin foil, and then scrape the remainder of the polish off with a nail buffer or nail file, Molly Romah, lead nail artist at Chillhouse spa in NYC, tells SELF.
I'd suggest heading to the salon: you'll be in and out in under twenty minutes, unless you're applying a fresh set (likely). If you're new to the world of nail removal, you'd probably like to know how it's done – not with a bog standard nail polish remover, FYI – so here it is, a step-by-step of what to expect.
Our nail technicians can remove your old polish for you during your pedicure appointment, but if you decide to remove your own make sure you use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back your cuticles.
Gel nails are more expensive than acrylics. That's because gel nails require more equipment, such as a UV or LED light, a gel top and base coat, in order to be applied properly. Not all gel nail polish kits come with tools to remove gel polish however -- keep that in mind too.
"The biggest risk to leaving a gel manicure service on for longer than three weeks is that the extra weight can start pulling on the edge of your nail, causing tears in the base of your nails," says Reynosa. "They can then lift, which peels back keratin layers and causes more mechanical damage.
I'll give it to you straight: The longest you can wear a gel manicure without compromising your nail health is two weeks, says Evelyn Lim, chief educator of New York–based nail salon Paintbox.
"Natural nails can actually become stronger and longer while using gel polish [because] the layer of polish helps protect the natural nail and encourage growth," said Barry Shields, managing partner of Red Carpet Manicure.