Can I Use Nail Tips With Polygel
Yes! That’s actually one of the coolest parts of working with polygel. You can shape the formula with a dual form so that you don’t need nail tips to create extra length, or you can start with gluing tips and applying the polygel over the top to blend, reinforce, and shape them. Polygel gives you more options than a Cheesecake Factory menu, so don’t be afraid to try something different each time.
How Do You Take Polygel Off
Now, this is where it gets a little tedious, but dont let it scare you. Just make sure you set aside some time to take your nails off. This definitely isnt something you want to do if you have to leave for work in 30 minutes! The first time I took my nails off, it took me about an hour. Yup, just to take them off.
I first started by cutting the excess tips off. DONT cut straight across the tip, do it at an angle. Then I took the e-file and filed off the rest of my nail, as close to the nail bed as possible. But please please please be careful when doing this! Its so easy to damage your natural nail bed. Its better to play it safe and use a hand file to gently file off the excess polygel if youre a beginner. Seriously, the lighter the hand the better.
There are also videos out there that show you how to soak your polygel nails in acetone once you only have a thin layer left. But polygel is a file-off product, not a soak off one. So you need to have a super-thin layer of polygel left in order to soak it off. Im too impatient for that though and would rather just learn how to file them off myself.
Update: Quick update on how to get polygel nails off. I learned that taking them all the way off and putting them all the way back on every few weeks is super damaging to your nails and it takes FOREVER. I highly suggest filling them instead.
What Are Gel Nails
Gel nails are not extensions they are formed by brushing three coats of gel onto the natural nail. A base coat is first applied, followed by a polish colour and then a protective top coat. After being applied, each coat is cured under a UV light for a few minutes.
- They give a shiny, fresh look.
- They are more flexible than acrylic nails and therefore less likely to chip off.
- Drying time is much quicker than a regular manicure.
- There are no unpleasant fumes during application.
Cons:
- They only last for up to 2 weeks.
- Exposure to UV rays can be dangerous to skin.
- The UV light can also cause heat spikes which cause pain to the nail bed.
- If badly applied, the gel can peel off.
- The removal process also involves soaking in acetone.
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Why Choose Polygel Instead Of Acrylics
Polygel base takes the best features of liquid and acrylic powder and LED hard gel in a patented formula that is easy to use. Probably the most annoying thing for nail technicians when working with acrylics is that theres a very strong smell and that can quite often give people headaches if they are not used to it. Acrylic also creates dust in the air and makes a mess. Some hotels and spas tend to not use acrylic for these reasons. Polygel opens up the possibility for these rooms to offer their nail clients to improve their service because it is free of monomers and turns harder so that it only falls on the table and dont stay in the air.
Polygel is also very lightweight, much lighter than acrylic, so you can hardly notice using it. This does not mean it is not so strong, in fact, it is stronger than hard gels and much more flexible than acrylic. Polygel base takes the best features of liquid and acrylic powder and LED hard gel in a patented formula that is easy to use.
Are Polygel Manicures Safe For Your Nails
If applied and removed properly, Polygel manicures are perfectly safe for your nails. In fact, Polygel can be considered safer than other nail enhancementslike acrylicsas no chemicals are released into the air during application. But keep in mind that Polygel nails should always be removed by a professional.
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How Long Do Polygel Manicures Last
According to Lim, Polygel manicures can last up to three to four weeks. The longevity of your Polygel manicure will also depend on the length of the nail and your lifestyle, adds Aaron. If youre involved every day with activities that are rough on your hands, your Polygel manicure may not survive the full month.
Polygel, like acrylics, is certainly more expensive than a basic gel manicure, but in my experience, it lasts almost twice as long. If you get a light nude or pink color, its hard to tell when the manicure has grown out, making it last even longer than you might think.
Polygel Nails Are The Long
When it comes to nail art these days, you can find a ton of options out there that are longer lasting and durable enough to keep your manicure from chipping just days after leaving the salon. An acrylic overlay, for example, can hold on to polish for about two to three weeks longer than natural nails, and also protect the nail from easily breaking. Gel polish also holds on lot longer than regular nail polish, though these kinds of manicures typically have their own hangups as well, including but not limited to the fact that peeling off the polish is never good for your nail, even with how tempting it may be.
If you’re looking for a nail art option that’s potentially less damaging than a gel manicure and that requires less exposure to chemicals than acrylics, polygel nails might be your next best option.
“Polygel is considered to be a hybrid formula that combines the durability of acrylic with the elasticity application of a builder gel,” LeChat Nails educator Syreeta Aaron told POPSUGAR. Polygel is sold in the form of a thick paste and is similar to acrylic in the way that it’s applied to the nail, though the major difference is that it hardens upon being placed under a UV lamp.
“It’s basically a mixture of acrylic powder and a clear gel,” Aaron said. “With polygel you’re able to maneuver for a longer period of time. It allows you to manipulate it for as long as you like, versus acrylic, which dries and hardens soon after applying.”
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Are Polygel Nail Kit Easy To Use
While PolyGel requires more steps in the application process than nail polish, the steps are simple and straightforward. PolyGel is often sold in kits with thorough instructions and all the necessary products and tools to successfully apply the product. PolyGel is designed to be used both in the salon and at home.
PolyGel is the perfect solution for people who do not have the patience to sit through the application process for acrylic nails and for those who do not enjoy stiff, thick or unnatural looking nails.
Why Does My Polygel Keep Lifting
This issue starts with the slip solution has not been completely dry before you apply polygel on your nails. Too much or too wet polygel will cause it to pop off. Polygel that is not completely dry will cause it to lift around the edges first.
Always give enough time for the slip solution to dry completely before you affix your polylgel on your nails and you will prevent this lifting problem.
Another possible cause is your polygel nails are too long for you to work with. Long polygel nails will be subject to more stresses and bending. These forces will weaken the chemical bond between nails and poplygel and cause it to lift around the cuticle lines first.
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Is It Easy To Work With Polygel
Yes! Extremely easy actually! Polygel has the consistency and malleability of putty. There is no need to worry about the ratios of liquids and powders Polygel is pre-mixed, so you just open the container and boom! You can start right away.
So youre probably wondering how a putty-like substance could possibly work with nail art Well, dont worry. Yes, the Polygel is sticky and it will string up when touched. In order to avoid this, a Slip Solution needs to be applied to the surface of the Polygel. This changes the surface from sticky to slippery, so that you can easily do your nail designs and manipulate the Polygel in your desired shape.
What makes Polygel even easier to work with is that you, as the nail technician, can take your sweet time in finishing the design. There is literally no rush! Until the Polygel has been cured, it will not set.
Polygel Nails Wrap Up:
After you finish reading this article to the end, I hope you know more than you need to on this PolyGel nail topic than before, from the meaning of the name, its history, what it is and how to do it at home and some knowledge of which brand to buy.
You should feel good that you now know what a lot about PolyGel nails are and you can decide whether they are for you to try.
If they are, then happy PolyGelling.
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All You Need To Know About Gelish Polygel
When we heard that Gelish were launching Polygel, we couldn’t wait to find out all about it. So, we tracked down the lovely team at Nail Harmony, the UK distributor of Gelish and Polygel, made them a cup of tea and asked them lots of questions to get the lowdown on this revolutionary new nail system.
How Polygel Nails Are Applied
Unlike most regular acrylics, which are pre-shaped, polygel can be applied directly to your natural nail and sculpted into your desired shape. “For some lengths and shapes, I will use polygel to add a higher apex to the nail for added support,” Gerstein adds. Most nail technicians start by applying a dehydrator to the nails to help the polygel adhere to the nail better. They then use a base coat to prime the nails and let them dry. After this step, most polygel is applied similarly to hard gel. The nail tech will use a brush to apply a small amount of the polygel to each nail and sculpt it into the desired shape.
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Everything You Need To Know
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Stocksy
For the better part of a decade, my only major New Years resolution was to stop biting my nails and picking at my cuticles. From the ages of 10 to 20, I looked at the resolution as a practical choice. It was solidnot too big of a goal and not too small. Doable, but still a noble cause. I tried everything from professional manicures to press-on nails to sheer willpower. No matter what though, the second the polish started peeling off my nail or I skipped a manicure for a week or two, the habit returned. I now know myself well enough to know that if I dont have a fresh manicure, the bad habit will return almost immediately, so I try to schedule regular nail appointments whenever possible.
Gel manicureshave been helpful in maintaining polished nails for long periods of time , but once one nail chips or peels, its usually less than 24 hours before Ive peeled them all off. The only thing that has helped me in the long-run? Acrylic nails. Theyre nearly impossible to mess up and last for much, much longer than a gel manicure on a natural nail. If done incorrectly, though, acrylics can potentially expose you to a variety of chemicals. Whats more, the risk of exposure to chemicals even exists with perfectly done acrylics, and the process is never particularly cheap. Given all of this, I started to limit acrylic nails to a once-a-year treat. Even then, though, sometimes I would leave the salon thinking the nails looked unnatural or too long.
Meet the Expert
How To Do Polygel Nails At Home
Our step-by-step guide on applying Polygel nails includes some of everything right from why you need it and how to do it to FAQs. If you are interested in trying it out check out this step-by-step guide.
Several approaches to manicures, but the poly gel nail method may elevate your mani to new heights. It is like a hybrid of gel and acrylics, combining the best of both worlds without drawbacks.
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Can You Do Polygel Nails On Your Own
Polygel nails are great since they do not harm your natural manicures in the process of making them. They are thought to be safer than alternatives like acrylics since they lack a strong odor and do not need the mixing of monomers as acrylics do.
Since it is a novel concept, not all nail techs will be knowledgeable about it. Make sure you do your homework and locate a salon and artist who are well-versed in using this product
Add The Necessary Layers Of Protection
First, add the base coat and cure with the light for 60 seconds. Then, add nail strengthener and cure for another 30 second. It will be tacky, so be careful! No petting your dog or running your fingers through your hair. This step is so important for the health of your nails. Polygel nails can be super damaging if you dont take the proper steps to avoid injury.
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What Are Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are extensions of natural nails. Applying them involves filing the natural nail bed down, and then adding a mix of acrylic powder and liquid. This creates an acrylic which is used to mould the artificial nail. After this, nail polish can be applied to the smooth surface.
- Acrylic nails can last for up to 4 weeks.
- They are very hard and resistant to damage.
- They provide a smooth surface for applying nail art.
- Clients can choose the length of the nail.
Cons:
- They can cause damage to natural nail beds.
- They sometimes look less natural than gel nails.
- When applied, the process involves unpleasant chemicals and fumes.
- Unlike regular manicures where nail polish can easily be removed, acrylic nails have to be soaked in potentially harmful acetone.
Can You Do Polygel With Nail Tips
The traditional nail tips can be used in PolyGel nail applications to extend the overall length.
In acrylic nail application, if you want to add length to your nails, you would glue the nail tips to the nails free edges. Since this nail tip attaches to the nail by a thin blue line, care should be taken when your are pressing PolyGel down on it. If you happen to break a nail tip loose. you will have to clean up all the gel before you can reattach a nail tip.
If you want to do your PolyGel with nail tips, here is how you would do it so the nail tips will not break away:
- Do all these necessary steps: glue a nail tip to the free edge of your nail, properly prep the seam, apply dehydrator/pH balance solution, apply gel base coat and cure for 30 seconds.
- Take a tiny bead of PolyGel and gently press it across and cover the seam. Use your PolyGel brush to feather the edges with minimal slip solution and cure for 30 seconds.
After curing, this thin PolyGel will strengthen and keep the nail tip in place so it can withstand the press-down force as you try to form the next PolyGel bead to cover the whole nail.
And that is how you do PolyGel with PolyGel with nail tips.
So, it is much easier and simpler to use a dual form to extend your nails for PolyGel.
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Do I Need To Go On A Training Course And If So Why
Polygel is a completely different nail system to acrylics and gels and theres nothing else like it on the market. We recommend that the Polygel course is completed and an accredited training certificate received before offering Polygel as a service to your clients. This is important for your insurance as it may be invalid if the relevant training has not been carried out. Also, you need to already be professionally trained in the application of tips and sculpting as there will be no time to learn this on the course.
Is Polygel Manicure Safe For Your Nails
When applied and removed correctly, Polygel nails are an excellent technique for your manicure. They are considered safer than other options, like acrylics, and do not have a strong odor or require mixing or monomers. That said, it is a relatively new approach, and not all nail technicians will be adequately trained. It is important to do your research and find a salon and technician that has plenty of experience with this application. It would help if you also considered the various brands that can be used to find one that works best for you.
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Can You Remove Polygel Nails With Acetone
Haile suggests filing polygel, starting with a 150-grit nail file and a 100/180-grit buffer to remove length and product, then gradually increasing to a 220/280-grit buffer to smooth it out. But you can also use acetone to remove polygel, similar to how you would with gel. If your polygel nails are past their prime, watch this video tutorial, grab your gel polish remover tools, and follow the step-by-step tutorial, here:
