What goes into gel nail polish?

  • Written by News Co Media


Gel nail polish is an alternative nail polish formulation which consists of methacrylate compounds and photoinitiation compounds such as benzoyl peroxide. Unlike conventional nail polish, these mixtures aren't simply applied and left to dry. Gel polish is made up of acrylic monomers and oligomers that bond together when placed under UV light. This ‘curing’ process turns, the once-liquid gel turns into a hard, chemical-resistant coating. in a matter of seconds, the once-liquid gel turns into a hard, chemical-resistant coating.

So how does it work?

When you want to buy gel nail polish, they cost more in the salon than regular manicures do - and you almost always need to get them done in a salon. These manicures also take longer to finish. Your nails will get shaped and clean, your hands will be taken care of, and the base coat is applied before the colour. This is where the application process changes. After the base coat has been added, your nails will be placed under a UV light to "cure" aka dry the polish. People love to buy gel nail polish because they last considerably longer than standard manicures. Gel polish doesn't chip, so you can keep it on for weeks at a time. Under normal circumstances, you would only need to get it changed or removed when your nails grow out too far. If you’re trying to grow your natural nails out, gel is also a reliable choice. It adds a layer of protection that helps keep your nails from breaking. One drawback of gel polish is that it's very hard to get off. You may have to go to the salon that provided your nails or a reliable retailer for gel polish removal. If you get gel manicures regularly, you'll need to use high SPF sunscreen to protect your hands from the potential UV light damage from sustained exposure. With this in mind, gel manicures are fantastic if you use your hands a lot and want your nails to last.

How does it compare to other nail options?

Should you opt for a manicure using traditional nail polish, the technician will remove any old polish from your hands, shape and prime your nails, give you a little hand massage, then apply the base coat, polish, and top coat. Many people all over the world love the simplicity and ease of use that comes with traditional nail polish because it can easily be applied at home, without any extra equipment. Regular nail polish is easy to apply and remove, so you can change the colour as often as you'd like. With this in mind, traditional nail polish has one key drawback: it's easy to chip and damage. It can take a long time to dry, but even if it dries without issue, it doesn't tend to stay on the nails for very long. Flaking is often the first symptom of damaged traditional nail polished applications. This will often result in frequent touch-ups and reapplications, which becomes both frustrating and time consuming. But luckily, this is where you buy gel nail polish comes in.

How do I find some near me?

You will find services to assist with nail application and decorations in most major metropolitan areas, regional hubs and some services that will even come to your home or workplace. For recommendations to buy gel nail polish, you should consider asking a friend, family member or colleague who has recently had their nails worked on who they used and what they thought of both the service and the finished product. Independent review boards or pages are also fairly reliable sources of information as most don’t allow the companies reviewed to amend or remove reviews they don’t like or agree with.