Nail salon 93101 | TLC Nail Lounge: Manicure pt.3

Can you get a manicure with short nails?

Generally, for very short nails I wouldn't recommend going any longer than the length of the nail plate. For example, if your nail plate is around 1/2 and inch, when I comes to adding length, i wouldn't recommend going longer than 1/2 an inch. When it comes to a standard manicure, you can definitely get them done.

What is better for your nails gel or dip?

Dip powders generally need to be redone in two to three weeks, while the standard for gel is three to four weeks. Resins in a dip powder may be susceptible to water and household cleaners, while gel is solvent resistant. If your client uses or washes their hands regularly, a gel service might be better for them.

What is a natural nail manicure?

Natural manicures—which focus on strengthening nails—give you a breather from polish (and the chips that need retouching) and can easily be done at home. This simple treatment—which can also be used when doing a pedicure—helps protect your nails and cuticles, and prevent cracks, splits and yellowing.

What lasts longer gel or dip?

A good dip manicure will last anywhere from three to four weeks, which is just a tad longer than a gel manicure.

What Are Gel Nails?

Let’s cover gels first. Gel nails are made by a three-step process, which consists of brushing a base coat, nail polish, and top coat over your natural nails. With each coat, the nail is placed under a UV light for somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes to cure. Once cured, the layer of gel polish hardens and won’t smudge like a regular nail polish. The final result is nails that sport a glossy and freshly manicured look.

If you want to extend the length of your natural nails, gel nails also come in handy. Gel extensions, we’re looking at you! This popular technique consists of an extended tip, typically made of acrylic, that’s attached to the ends of your nails. Next, your nails undergo the normal process of applying a gel nail polish system and being placed under a UV lamp to set.

What Are Acrylic Nails?

Moving onto acrylics! Acrylic nails are made of a combination of liquid and powder that’s laid over your natural nail with a brush. Once the mixture is applied, your nails are filed and shaped to emulate the look of natural nails. After your acrylic nails are shaped, each nail is painted with a base coat, nail polish color, and top coat. Nails are then set under a fan to dry.

What Is The Difference Between Gel And Acrylic Nails?

Although gel and acrylic nails can provide similar results, there are key differences with each nail style. As we mentioned above, gel nails typically consist of brushing coats of polish on your natural nails and are cured with a UV lamp. Once complete, gel nails will usually last for around 14 days without chipping. Toward the end of this period, gel nails may start to peel or lift at the corners.


When you’re ready to remove gel nails, all you need to do is soak them off, and you’re good to go. Typically, a cotton ball soaked in acetone is placed over the nail, then each nail is wrapped in aluminum foil. After around 10 minutes, the gel polish is easily able to be removed. While gel nails can be prone to peeling, they are known to be more flexible than acrylic nails and won’t damage your natural nails.

On the flip side, acrylic nails provide a hard, protective layer due to the powder and liquid hybrid mixture they're created with. Since acrylic nails are so durable, you don’t have to worry about your nails cracking, breaking, or lifting while you have the acrylics. However, acrylic nails tend to look less natural than gel nails. These nails are also challenging to remove without damaging your nail bed. To keep your acrylic set intact, you’ll have to refill your nails every few weeks. And once you remove acrylic nails, you’ll have to wait for the damaged nails to grow out to get your nails back in shape. Typically, acrylic nails are removed in salon by a nail technician, whereas gel nails can be removed more easily at home.

What Is The Best Nail Style For You?

As with many things in life, the answer to this question really boils down to your personal preference. If you love natural-looking nails, gel nails are a great choice. They’re also a great pick to help prevent your nails from getting damaged. On the other hand, if you’re trying to avoid cracking or peeling nail polish, acrylic nails will suit your needs. Keep in mind, if either gel or acrylic nails are incorrectly applied, you run the risk of damaging your nails. The key to getting the best gel or acrylic nails is to rely on a licensed nail technician to give you your manicure.



Artificial Nails: Dermatologists' Tips For Reducing Nail Damage

Artificial nails can lengthen short nails, making your fingers look long and slender. They can also be hard on your nails.
To get acrylic nails (a type of artificial nail) to stick, the surface of your natural nails must be filed until they feel rough. This thins your natural nails, making them weaker. Chemicals in the products used to apply artificial nails can irritate the skin around your nails and elsewhere.

The list of health risks doesn’t end here. To remove artificial nails, you often need to soak in acetone or file them off. If you want to wear artificial nails for more than a few weeks, you’ll need touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks to fill in the gaps that appear as your nails grow. Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails.

In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched.

Still, some people love the look of artificial nails. If you’re one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage:
Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails. Gel nails are a little easier on your nails because they’re more flexible. This means your own nails are less likely to crack.

You’ll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.

Go to a salon that uses an LED curing light rather than a UV curing light. Gel nails require ultraviolet (UV) light to harden. LED emits lower levels of UV radiation than a UV curing light. An LED light also cures more quickly, which reduces your UV exposure.

Ask your nail technician to skip the cuticle trimming. Cuticles are often trimmed when you get any type of manicure. That’s a problem. Cuticles protect your nails and the surrounding skin from infection. When you trim or cut your cuticles, it’s easier for bacteria and other germs to get inside your body and cause an infection. Nail infections can take a long time to clear.

Cut cuticles also tend to feel rough when they grow back, so a nail technician may continue to trim your cuticles to keep them smooth.
Reserve artificial nails for special occasions. If you love the look of artificial nails, getting them only for a special occasion can reduce nail problems. Time without artificial nails gives your nails a chance to repair themselves.

When you’re not wearing artificial nails, a regular or French manicure can leave your nails looking fabulous.

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