What is a gel manicure? 

A gel manicure involves a gel polish which needs a UV or LED light. This light cures the polish, making sure it adheres to your nails. This setting means that the polish can last for several weeks in pristine and shiny condition.  

They look just like an old-style manicure, the moment you walk out of the salon. You don’t need to worry about smudging the nail polish and they will stay looking beautiful. It is suitable for both short and long nails. 

You may have heard the term ‘shellac’ when looking into gel manicures. If you’re wondering the difference between gel and shellac – shellac is simply a brand name for a popular brand of gel polish but we won’t be using it in our salon. 

Like all manicures, the treatment starts with removing old polish before moving on to shaping and buffing to bring about the perfect shape and look. A base coat is applied before the technician applies two coats of gel. You then pop your hands under the light to dry. 

How long does a gel manicure last? 

The guidance is every 2 weeks. With care it can still look shiny and vibrant. It’s your natural nail and cuticle growth that starts to affect the overall look. However, it is somewhat determined by how quickly your nails grow and how careful you are with your hands. 

How long does it take to get a gel manicure? 

A gel manicure takes the same time as a traditional manicure sometimes even less as you don’t need to wait for it to dry.  

Gel manicure vs regular manicure 

Most people will find themselves weighing up the different kinds of manicure available at some point. There are pros and cons to the different types. 

Regular polish is quick to apply and quick to remove and you can change your mind as often as want. 

The bonus is that gel manicures are so much more durable and hard-wearing, so they are worth it. They generally don’t chip. You can have striking and inspiring designs done, however, you’ll want to make sure that you pick a suitable design or colour for everything you’ve got coming up in the next few weeks. 

If you use your hands a lot, gel manicures are the way to ensure your nails stay looking good. 

Benefits of gel manicure 

So, to sum up, the benefits of gel manicure are: 

• It dries extremely quickly; there’s no danger of smudging it on the way home. 
• It’s durable; there’s no danger of chipping it within moments of leaving the salon. 
• It lasts for a couple of weeks, compared to several days. 
• It doesn’t fade or lose its shine. 
• It’s an odourless application. 

How long should you wait between gel manicures? 

It’s tempting to leave your gel nails as they are for weeks on end. However, regular gel manicures will ensure the health of your nail’s underneath.  

We recommend having your gel polish changed every 2-3 weeks.  

What else do you need to know before getting a gel manicure? 

There are a few other things worth mentioning about gel manicures.  

A gel manicure is safe during pregnancy. However, because they take a little more effort to remove, it is worth doing this before you go into labour, especially if there is the likelihood of needing a C-section, or you could end up with damaged nails. 

There is quite a bit of variability between different gel manicures.