Difference between Gel Nails and Acrylic Nails

I'm not a nail expert, but as far as I know, none of the materials is per se better or worse than the other. Rather, it depends on the texture of your natural nails.

As far as I know, on fatty natural nails, acrylic nails are holding better. If you have no fatty nails naturally, then also gel nails should hold good.

But in your place as an unknowing, I would go to a good (!) Nail Salon to get an advice. Who should know it better than anyone doing it professionally? You should then choose a studio that offers both, gel and acrylic nails. Otherwise, the studio will probably recommend what they are offering as well.
2012-07-10 at 11:06

I also love made nails! I would hardly dare to leave the house without them, it just looks so good and aesthetically!

As regards the difference between gel and acrylic nails, in fact, there are two minds. I've heard so many discussions on this topic and some swear on gel, the others on acrylic nails and both have good arguments, which do not necessarily have to be the truth.

I've tried both and I was very happy with both, have noticed no difference in durability, resilience etc and both looked good. Also the price is nearly the same. What is different, however, is the method: acrylic nails dry by itself in the air and gel nails under the UV lamp in the nail salon.
2012-07-08 at 18:24

In my opinion, acrylic nails are much harder and more stable than gel nails. Gel nails are more flexible and therefore, they withstand quite much. Now, if you really want to have very long claws, acrylic nails would be the better choice. In a normal length, it is probably all the same.

Acrylic nails with their acid content, gorge theirselves a little bit in your natural nail and thus, they are really anchored with your nail. If they pull out, it will probably hurt more than with gel nails. Instead, gel nails are accommodating a little bit and if they pull out, it will then probably be not as extreme with the pain.

Otherwise, you should see what you like the most and with which nail style you get best along. Personally, I have acrylic nails and I'm very pleased, they also keep a long time and do not break immediately.

Whether it depends on the person, whether acrylic or gel holds better, I do not know. But this rumor I have heard at least for several times. You should ask your nail designer about this. She should perhaps have learned from experience and she can then recommend something according to your nails.
2012-07-12 at 21:12

In the case of gel nails, a gel is applied, which then have to dry under a UV lamp. This makes it hard.

In contrast, acrylic nails are working acid-based. This acid eats itself something into your real nails, so acrylic nails are harder than gel nails and are also known as a durable alternative to gel nails.

The acrylic nail dries in the air and a disadvantage is, that the natural nail is attacked by the acid more than this is the case with the gel nail.

In most cases, in the nail salons, gel nails are made, acrylic nails are less commonly, but they are useful if you want to have very long nails or if you want to stress them very much, because they keep better in those cases. For shorter nails, on the other hand, there are no differences in durability.

Through the material characteristics, acrylic nails can be processed thinner than gel nails (because gel nails are not as stable and strong, they must be applied thicker). As a result, acrylic nails often look more natural, as they are rather thin than thick.

In terms of the price, there is nothing between acrylic and gel and both acrylic and gel nails need to be refilled every 4 to 5 weeks, because otherwise the nail grows out and is no longer strong enough.
2012-07-05 at 22:39