Polygel

1. What is acrylic gel?

Acrygel is a versatile product that can be used to shape, extend and build natural nails. This gel-like substance combines the best properties of acrylic and gel. It offers the durability of acrylic and the flexibility of gel.

Compared to acrylic, acrylic gel feels much more flexible and lighter, but it is harder than gel. The product retains the shape you have given it and can only be leveled with a gel brush and liquid. Acrylic liquid is necessary to prevent the polygel from sticking to your brush. Acrylic gel only hardens under a UV/LED lamp, so you can easily continue to model it. The product consists of short molecular chains that connect when you harden the artificial nails in a UV lamp.

2. Pros and cons of polygel nails?

As with any artificial product, polygel has its pros and cons. Below we have listed some of the pros and cons of polygel nails.

2.1 Advantages

• Polygel nails have a durability of 3-4 weeks.
• Because the product only hardens under a UV/LED lamp, you can work at your own pace and continue modeling.
• Polygel nails combine the best properties of gel (flexibility) and acrylic (durability).
• Unlike acrylic liquid, polygel liquid has no irritating odor during application.

2.2 Disadvantages

• You have to shape (model) Polygel yourself, it does not level itself.
• Unlike acrylic nails, polygel nails take longer to apply because acrylic gel needs to be cured in a UV/LED lamp.
• If you apply acrylic gel nails incorrectly, the artificial nails can cause heat spikes during curing.

3. How long do acrylic nails last?

On average, polygel nails stay on your nails for about 4 weeks. The exact duration depends on the speed of your nail growth and the type of manicure you have chosen. For example, if you choose a nude or natural color, the growth of your nails will be less noticeable and you can enjoy your manicure longer.

4. Why choose acrylic gel?

Acrylic gel is the ideal product for nail stylists who are unsure whether to choose gel and acrylic . By combining the best properties of gel (flexibility) and acrylic (durability), polygel considered the most durable nail technique in the nail world. Just like acrylic and gel, acrylic gel can be used to extend, build and shape natural nails. Moreover, the product is easy to use, even for beginning nail technicians, because you can continue to shape the product until it is cured under a UV lamp.

5. Supplies needed for an acrylic gel manicure

For a polygel manicure, you need several supplies. First of all, you need several tools to prepare the natural nail plate, such as a cuticle pusher, cuticle pliers, file, buffer, ... In addition, you need a UV / LED lamp, gel brush, dappensdish jar of nail prep, primer, base coat, polygel of your choice, polymer liquid, a gel polish color and a top coat.

6. Which nail lamp is suitable for acrylic gel?

Acrylic gel can be cured with both older UV lamps (with replaceable bulbs) and newer UV/LED lamps. However, it is important to consider the wattage of the nail lamp. A 48W nail lamp is recommended for curing polygel. Curing times vary by brand and are usually listed on the packaging. In general, average curing times for acrylic gel are as follows:

• 120s in a UV lamp
• 30-90s in a UV/LED lamp

7. How to apply, touch up and remove acrylic nails?

Correct application, touch-up and removal of an acrylic gel manicure is essential to prevent damage to the natural nail plate and to avoid contact allergies. If the nail matrix is ​​damaged, irregularities in the nail plate can occur that are sometimes irreparable.

Read the blog here on how to how to apply polygel correctly .

8. Is polygel bad for your natural nails?

Acrylic gel nails are safe for natural nails if you apply polygel correctly applies , updates and removes. After removing the artificial nails, it can take up to 12-24 hours for your natural nail plate to regain its normal strength. This is because artificial nails increase the moisture content in the nail plate by approximately 10-15%. It is therefore important to be careful when removing the artificial nails to prevent damage to the natural nail.

9. A tube or jar of polygel?

Working with an acrylic gel jar is the most efficient way. This is because you have much less loss compared to working with a tube. When a tube is almost empty, you have to cut it open to use the rest and there is always a part loss with each nail. In contrast to working with a tube, you never have any loss with an acrylic gel jar. If you have acrylic gel left on your spatula, you can simply put it back in the jar.

10. Difference between gel and polygel

Polygel has different properties than gel: it is not self-leveling, but you can shape your nails until they cure in the lamp. Polygel nails are known to combine the durability of acrylic and the flexibility of gel, making them generally lighter and stronger than gel nails.

11. Do you need experience to apply acrylic gel?

As with all nail techniques, some experience is recommended. It is very important that artificial nails are applied, trimmed and removed correctly to minimize damage to the natural nail plate. If you have experience with acrylics and gels, you will probably get the hang of polygel quickly. However, if you are not experienced with these techniques, we recommend taking some training first.

12. Is acrylic gel easy to work with?

Polygel is very easy to work with, especially if you have experience with gel or acrylic. The material has a thick consistency that makes it easy to shape. Unlike acrylic, there is no need for a liquid to powder ratio. Instead, the polymer liquid ensures that the polygel does not stick to your brush. In contrast, acrylic liquid is needed to cure artificial nails. What makes polygel even more appealing is that it only cures under a nail lamp, which means you can work at your own pace. This also makes it a great option for beginning nail technicians looking for a material to create extensions.