Gel manicures definitely last longer, and if you like that plush, ultra-glossy finish, it's the way to go. However, the removal process for Shellac is much gentler on the nails, which makes switching up your colors easier to do.
For longer lasting, with more colour options, choose gel. For shine and ease, choose shellac. Talk to your nail technician and they may also have individual recommendations for you.
Your shellac nails should remain shiny and chip-free for 14 to 21 days if you take care of them responsibly. Don't worry about your day to day activities: taking out keys, working on the computer and (light) cooking are no match for shellac.
The main difference between gel and Shellac polish is the formula. Gelish is a gel form of polish whereas Shellac is actually a form of permanent nail polish as outlined by the Apprentice Beauty Blogger. A gel polish is liquid gel which is cured under a UV lamp.
A trained nail tech can remove both without damage, but generally speaking, removing gel polish requires a lot of scraping and filing down, which is annoying, time-consuming, and can be a little rougher on the nails. Shellac, on the other hand, is much easier to take off (and, thus, less prone to damaging your nails).
If you're looking for a long-lasting manicure, you can't go wrong with either shellac or gel nails. Both manicure variations last between 10 and 14 days. But shellac nails are partially made with standard polish, so they're more vulnerable to chipping than gel nails.
Additionally, while Shellac appears to help avoid the damage to the nails caused by acrylics, SNS goes a step further, according to Vo. “SNS is positively good for nail health. The SNS dipping powder system is fortified with no less than four vitamins, plus the all-important mineral calcium.
Gel nails are more durable than Shellac-brand nails. I've had clients with manicures that last up to three weeks without chipping! That said, this polish is harder to get off and may inflict more damage to your natural nails.
Any polish that is cured onto your nail has the potential for nail damage. Usually, shellac and gel manicures begin by intentionally damaging the top layer of the nail bed to essentially "rough it up." They do it because the polish adheres better to a textured surface.
Shellac was the first hybrid polish, produced by CND, and you can expect manicures to last about two weeks. Some may find that the chip-free finish lasts longer than this, but it's recommended that you get them removed after 14 days as by this time your own nail will have started to grow out.
“As long as there's no lifting [of the gel polish], let your nails grow and simply file down the lengths,” says CND brand ambassador Winnie Huang, who also encourages daily nail conditioning with a cuticle oil.
“Lifting occurs when there isn't a correct bond between the product and the nail plate. Therefore, the best way to prevent lifting is through proper prep of the nail plate and product control. It's important to be very thorough when removing cuticle stuck to the nail plate—a quick swipe of the file isn't enough!
“The optimum time between CND Shellac manicures is 2 weeks,” says Marian. “However, slow growing nails can go up to 3 weeks. The main reason is that after 2 weeks the Shellac starts to take a little bit longer to remove as it continues to harden.
Cotton pads will be soaked in acetone, and wrapped around each nail, to dissolve the polish. Next, aluminum foil is wrapped, in individual pieces, around the varnish-vanishing cotton wool to keep it in place.
You can remove them easily enough yourself, with nothing more than a few cotton balls, some foil and nail-polish remover. Here's how to safely remove shellac or gel polish at home. Using a nail file, gently buff away the shiny layer of hard-to-dislodge polish until it takes on an opaque appearance.
Most gel clients can easily go 3-4 weeks between fills. However, it can be beneficial to start out with 2-week intervals until you see how she is adapting to her nails. As time progresses the intervals can be extended to 3 or 4 weeks. The key is consistency and regularly scheduled appointments.
Over time, the bond between your nail and the polish starts to break down, causing the gel to lift away. And while we really do get how annoying it is, we urge you not to start picking or peeling.
In our experience, SNS can last up to one week longer than Shellac nails without chipping, and SNS also creates a thicker-looking nail from all that powder getting added on. But we've found Shellac to be a little less damaging to our nails long-term than SNS nails.
Both powders and gels are easy to apply and the result is a durable mani that lasts you around three weeks. What's more, the removal process is comparable to Shellac in speed and ease (it typically involves soaking your nails in an acetone solution) and they cost roughly the same.
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.
Gel nails are durable, long lasting, and scratch-resistant. However, the chemicals and removal process can be damaging for some people. People should have gel polish professionally removed, and they may want to take breaks between manicures.
Chris Adigun who specializes in nails shared with the American Academy of Dermatology that UVB rays used in gel manicures “do penetrate the skin to damage DNA and collagen, which can lead to premature aging and may increase skin cancer risk.” She adds that LED curing lamps also emit UVA light.