MODERN TRENDS IN NAIL EXTENSIONS

Nail extension with gel or acrylic, which is better? What is needed for nail extension

INNA CODRU , NOVEMBER 29, 2017

Our hands are very important to us. They don't just allow us to touch and feel, grab, hold and gesticulate. They help us express ourselves.

On a conscious or subconscious level, HANDS are the first thing we notice when we meet someone. All this is mainly due to the ancient ritual of shaking hands, which we still use today (a gesture of peace to demonstrate that the hand does not hold any weapon) to greet our friends and acquaintances.

With all of this in mind, it's easy to see why our nails are such an important part of our hand care ritual. Since ancient times, long nails have indicated the status of their owner, and to this day, a QUALITY MANICURE is a sign that you are proud of your appearance.

A LITTLE EXCURSION TO HISTORY

While nail extensions may seem like a fairly modern pursuit, women have been trying to add artificial length to their claws since ancient Egypt.

In many early civilizations, long nails were considered a sign of wealth and status. It was celebrated both in Egypt and in other cultures (especially Asian ones), and the length of the nails was added using materials that were only available to the rich, such as ivory or gold.

Since then, the technology of changing, coloring and caring for nails has advanced significantly. However, the nail extensions we are used to today began with a strange event that happened to one dentist.

In 1954, dentist Fred Slack broke his nails on the job, and to fix this, he invented the first artificial nail, using a material he normally used to restore and strengthen teeth. It was this that served as another revolution in the nail industry. Fred showed off his new nail to his brother Tom, who found the discovery extremely interesting. After experimenting with different materials to perfect their invention, Fred and Tom patented a successful version and founded Patti Nails.

Today, there are many nail extensions and services available for those who want to enhance the look and strengthen their own nails, but they are all still based on Fred Slack's original concept.

TYPES OF NAIL EXTENSIONS

When it comes to getting beautiful nails, women are given a very wide choice today. But how do you know which procedure to choose? What is right for you? Before making a final decision, keep reading and find out everything you need to make a decision.

So, let's talk about the most popular nail extension methods today:

1. Acrylic building;
2. Gel extension;
3. Fabric extension (wrapping made of fiberglass, silk, linen);

1. Acrylic extension

Acrylics are the oldest form of nail extension in the modern beauty industry and have long been a staple for extensions due to their high wear resistance. Acrylic itself is a mixture of liquid monomer and polymer powder. These two substances, when combined, form a hard protective layer that is applied to the natural nail.

The procedure is a multi-step process that usually involves preparing the natural nail by cleaning, shaping, polishing and trimming the cuticle before applying artificial tips to add length (if required) and acrylic on top.

Acrylic nail type is more durable than others. Nails with such a coating have greater elasticity, greater elasticity, they do not crack when strongly bent. They are suitable for the type of women who lead a fairly active lifestyle, where the likelihood of damage to the nails is quite high.

• Acrylic nails are very strong and durable and can be worn for quite a long time.
• You can get rid of acrylic nails at home without the help of a professional.
• Acrylic nails can be given any look that their mistress wishes, using decorative varnish or other materials that are used to decorate nails.
• Generally cheaper than applying a gel nail.
• Can be fixed without the help of a professional extensions specialist.
• Great for adding length to short nails.

• May cause damage to the nail bed as the natural nail cannot breathe under acrylic. When acrylics are removed, the nail underneath is often very weak, twisted, and brittle .
• Can sometimes look more artificial than gel nails.
• After removing the lacquer from the acrylic nail, it loses its original shine (use liquid with acetone), but this can be easily corrected by yourself with a polishing file, or with ordinary clear varnish.
• The application of acrylic nails is associated with chemicals and fumes, so pregnant women are advised to avoid this procedure.

2. Gel extension

Gel for nail extension is a special mixture that is applied either on top of an artificially extended nail or directly on a natural nail. This strengthens the nail and promotes its natural growth. The gel is usually applied in very thin layers, with the nail technician "drying" or "sealing" each layer with UV light. So the end result is both hard and flexible, but with a naturally glossy finish.

While gel can be applied over artificial nails to add length, they are especially good for people with very short, weak, or bitten nails because they allow the nail to strengthen and grow normally under the underlying layers of the gel coat.

• The gel does not harm the natural nail and can be used to strengthen, protect and stimulate natural nail growth.
• The gel is odorless, unlike some acrylic or liquid nail systems. The gel is also more flexible.
• Gel is considered a safer and more environmentally friendly option than acrylic.

• Less durable than acrylic and therefore not as durable.
• They are thicker than acrylic
• Most gel coat options require the use of UV light when repairing damage, making it very difficult to repair damage at home.
• Afraid of a strong temperature difference (in winter - from the street immediately to a warm room, for example), this will crack the gel nails.

Separately, it is worth writing about the removal of gel nails . Such nails should be removed by a nail specialist (preferably the one who did the extensions for you), and under no circumstances (!) try to remove your gel nails at home. Currently, there are various gelling systems, some of which need to be polished, while others need to be impregnated.

As a customer, you cannot be sure that a gel removal system is right for your nails and that it will leave them in good condition - which is why this step should be left to a professional.

3. Fabric extension (Fiberglass wrap, silk, linen);

How does this happen? Fabric building, carried out with the help of silk, linen, fiberglass (fiberglass). Glue is applied to the surface of the nail (or fabric strips with an existing adhesive layer are used), a piece is cut out of the fabric corresponding to the shape and size of the nail. Apply the fabric to the nail, maintaining a distance of 1mm from the cuticle, then smooth over the surface and press the material a little. The tip is trimmed at a distance of 2 mm from the edge of the nail - this ensures a strong fixation and minimizes the risk of tissue rupture. If there are no bubbles on the surface of the nail, then the result is fixed with a layer of hardener. The nails are shaped with a nail file and the surface is polished.

Translucent silk masks microcracks very well, and fiberglass glows beautifully in ultraviolet light (which is especially attractive for nightclub lovers). Also, this extension is suitable for those whose hands are prone to excessive sweating. Suitable for people with certain forms of allergy to acrylic. Such an extension opens up wide possibilities for creating all kinds of decorative coatings (using fabrics of various structures) in nail design.

• Relatively cheap material.
• The duration of the procedure is relatively short.
• Together with the gel forms a strong nail frame.
• Strengthens the nail plate itself

• Doesn't last long.
• Requires regular correction after changing the varnish coating.