gel or acrylic
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geeg
Judge Gigi-Honorary Geek
System Comparison for Salon+ - Gigi Rouse
Maybe this article will help you to decide!
When comparing artificial nail enhancement systems, it is important to remember that every nail system comes from the Acrylic Family. Whether it is a Liquid and Powder system, a premixed system (gels) or a Fabric/ Wrap system, all have their roots in the family of acrylic. So to say We use Acrylic in our salon, for instance although technically correct, does not identify to a client the service that is on offer. Acrylic therefore is a misnomer as all artificial nail structures are acrylic. One either uses a UV cured Gel, a Liquid and Powder or a Wrap system or a combination of one or more of these three.
It is also important to understand that ALL professional nail enhancement systems are perfectly safe to use and there is no system that is safer to use than another. ALL nail systems are organic. There is also no system that is thinner than another, as thick or thin nails are dependant on the skill of the technician who is applying them and every system can be thin, natural-looking and strong if the application is well balanced.
**Which ever nail system you use, it is important to remember that manufacturers all recommend that the technician work in a well ventilated area preferably with extraction ventilation at the source of application. Many of the problems associated with the performing of nail enhancement services (such as possible overexposure to odour, Activators and dust inhalation) would be avoided if technicians followed all of the manufacturers advice.
So what are the advantages of one system over another you may ask and is there one perfect system that will suit every client?
Please remember that there are High end and Low end products in each category and comparisons are based on High end product lines only.
Wrap System (this applies to generic product lines)
L Longevity of Service over a one year period - Aging occurs more quickly than with other systems and new sets need to be applied 3-4 times per year
J Strength using a tip & overlay - Strong and flexible
J Strength as a natural nail overlay Strong and flexible
J Appearance Natural looking
L To correct misshaped nails - Corrective action on misshaped nails is difficult to achieve and time consuming
L Suitable Nail Types Non-nail biters regular shaped nail plates
J Natural Nail Repairs Wonderful, natural-looking, strong repairs on natural nails
L Ease of application Product needs to be applied in many thin layers
J Ease of removal Rapid 10-15 minute soak off
J Learning curve - simple method of application
L Odour yes
The Down Side L - For the technician
Overexposure to Spay Activator can cause respiratory problems for some and skin sensitivity and odour is also a consideration**
Cynoacrylate resin vapours may cause eye problems
Client choices become limited as nail enamel is a must as the product ages and discolours
Liquid and Powder System
J Longevity of Service over a one year period - Long-lasting 1-2 times per year
J Strength using a tip & overlay - Strong and flexible
J Strength as a natural nail overlay Strong and flexible
J Appearance Natural looking
J To correct misshaped nails - Corrective action on misshaped nails is easy to achieve
J Suitable Nail Types All nail types including severely bitten
J Natural Nail Repairs Wonderful, natural-looking, strong repairs on natural nails
J Ease of application Quick and easy using a tip or free form sculpted
J Ease of removal Rapid 15- 20 minute soak off
L Learning curve - techniques need practice to produce a high level of skill
L Odour yes
The Down Side L - For the technician
There is an odour associated with most Liquid & Powder systems although odour can be minimised and there are low-odour products on the market if this is an issue.**
UV cured Gel System
J Longevity of Service over a one year period - Long-lasting 1-2 times per year
J Strength using a tip & overlay - Strong and flexible
L Strength as a natural nail overlay chipping of the product along the free edge is a common problem when used on this type of nail.
J Appearance Natural looking
J To correct misshaped nails - Corrective action on misshaped nails is easy to achieve
J Suitable Nail Types All nail types including severely bitten
L Natural Nail Repairs Not suitable for strong repairs on natural nails
L Ease of application Product needs to be applied in layers each layer cured for 2 minutes under a UV light. May be used over a tip or free form sculpted
L Ease of removal Gel nails can not be removed by soak off It is necessary to file the product away to completely remove.
L Learning curve - techniques need practice to produce a high level of skill
J Odour - No
The Down Side L - For the technician
Gel is sticky. Wear gloves or over exposure to gel can cause skin sensitivity and allergy**
The dust particulates from filing gel are the finest of any system**
foxxyzinha
Essex Girl Abroad Geek
What an in-depth response - what would we do without you gigi??! As you know I'm still debating whether to start with Brisa or L&P so I too will be printing this out to help me to make my decision. Thanks very much xx
*JOANNE*
Well-Known Member
what a brilliant article geeg
page saved
page saved
Jen Smith
theHOTWAXroom
joannerowsell said:
Ditto!
kateyork1
CND Grand Master Geek!!!
Excellent - was thinking of doing conv course myself so I can offer Gel aswell as L & P -very helpful answer Geeg. Very helpful post Zoe - cheers for that.
christi
Softie Walter Geek
Me too!
I have tryed the Gel , but only on myself, i don't think i am qualified to to practice on anyone else without doing a course.
I would love to try this by doing a more in-depth course, and this answer from Geeg is excellent to know when researching different systems.
Thank you Geeg i too will be printing off this info!
Good question Zoe!
luv 'n' Hugs
Thanks Angie, All this bloody time n all lol....(sorry peeps private joke lol)
xxxxxxx
I have tryed the Gel , but only on myself, i don't think i am qualified to to practice on anyone else without doing a course.
I would love to try this by doing a more in-depth course, and this answer from Geeg is excellent to know when researching different systems.
Thank you Geeg i too will be printing off this info!
Good question Zoe!
luv 'n' Hugs
Thanks Angie, All this bloody time n all lol....(sorry peeps private joke lol)
xxxxxxx
Sassy Hassy
Well-Known Member
You can always rely on Geeg to give you the full answer!!
Gigi, just a quick question! As a gel user of nearly 4 years I was intrigued to read that you advise wearing gloves. I know that gel is the system most likely to cause an allergic reaction, but I am very clean and tidy with my aplication - I don't get it on my skin or my clients'. I also keep a very clean desk and so don't sit with my arms in the dust. So should I be concerned about not wearing gloves?
The other thing I must start doing is wearing a dust mask, especially for a full removal, or where a client has hammered their nails (pardon the pun!!) and there is a lot of filing prep. But, so many of my clients come in and comment on our NSS salon up the road, they talk about the putrid smell and that the techs all wear masks as though it's a bad thing. I really want to wear a mask to protect my lungs, but don't want to scare my clients (or passers by) that having product applied is hazardous. Would I be best to put a note on my price list - or something similar so I don't scare people off?
Many thanks, Sarah
ps - is this one of your copyright articles, or can I print it off and place it in our client info file for the salon.
Gigi, just a quick question! As a gel user of nearly 4 years I was intrigued to read that you advise wearing gloves. I know that gel is the system most likely to cause an allergic reaction, but I am very clean and tidy with my aplication - I don't get it on my skin or my clients'. I also keep a very clean desk and so don't sit with my arms in the dust. So should I be concerned about not wearing gloves?
The other thing I must start doing is wearing a dust mask, especially for a full removal, or where a client has hammered their nails (pardon the pun!!) and there is a lot of filing prep. But, so many of my clients come in and comment on our NSS salon up the road, they talk about the putrid smell and that the techs all wear masks as though it's a bad thing. I really want to wear a mask to protect my lungs, but don't want to scare my clients (or passers by) that having product applied is hazardous. Would I be best to put a note on my price list - or something similar so I don't scare people off?
Many thanks, Sarah
ps - is this one of your copyright articles, or can I print it off and place it in our client info file for the salon.
geeg
Judge Gigi-Honorary Geek
Feel free to use the article however you want but i do like to be credited for my articles .. thanks for asking.
As far as the wering of gloves goes, if you work clean then there is no need to wear them but I always advise to do so in an article of this kind so that all the bases are covered. (remember that anyone of any experience can be reading these articles in the magazines)
I do not wear gloves when working with gel myself for the same reasons, Sassy.
Also with your level of experience you may not make much dust?? If anyone queried the mask, I would just say that it is a normal requirement for anyone concerned about breathing in dust all day long!! Plasterers and builders wear them as a normal precaution, chiropodists when they are sanding skin etc. I think it's a pretty normal procedure. One of the better things that NSS do in fact. Funny that really ... they don't mind working with hazardous liquid MMA but do the mask thing religiously .... Of course they are all using drills and making huge mounts of dust.
As far as the wering of gloves goes, if you work clean then there is no need to wear them but I always advise to do so in an article of this kind so that all the bases are covered. (remember that anyone of any experience can be reading these articles in the magazines)
I do not wear gloves when working with gel myself for the same reasons, Sassy.
Also with your level of experience you may not make much dust?? If anyone queried the mask, I would just say that it is a normal requirement for anyone concerned about breathing in dust all day long!! Plasterers and builders wear them as a normal precaution, chiropodists when they are sanding skin etc. I think it's a pretty normal procedure. One of the better things that NSS do in fact. Funny that really ... they don't mind working with hazardous liquid MMA but do the mask thing religiously .... Of course they are all using drills and making huge mounts of dust.
