“When in doubt,” she says, “gel will get the job done!” ![]() Because the chemical reaction has already occurred with hard gel, it takes the mixing ratio out of the equation, explains Allison Ross, a SuperNail educator based in South Jordan, Utah, who reaches for hard gel when other products aren’t working. The one-step application is not only easy, but also a great option for clients who may have lifting problems with acrylic-which can often be the result of the wrong liquid/powder ratio. “It’s always the perfect consistency right out of the jar,” says Adams. The pre-mixed formula ups the ante further on hard gel’s many advantages. “Clients who are sensitive to acrylic may be able to wear hard gel with no issues,” notes Allie Baker, EzFlow global brand ambassador, based in Medford, Oregon. ![]() How do hard gel’s distinct attributes translate into real benefits for clients and techs? First, no monomer means hard gel is essentially odorless, making the appointment more pleasant for those sensitive to smells, says Somer Adams, owner of Labella Salon in Glastonbary, Connecticut. These are important differences for you to know so you can properly educate your clients. An acrylic nail is more porous (less compact) than hard gel, allowing solvents to penetrate the surface and break down the product for removal. When combined, a catalyst in the monomer reacts with an initiator in the polymer causing the mixture to harden. After curing, a tacky film of uncured gel, called the inhibition layer, is left and must be removed with nail cleanser.Īcrylic, on the other hand, is composed of a liquid monomer and powder polymer. The curing process, called polymerization, creates a strong, compact polymer that solvents can’t penetrate-which means hard gel can only be removed by filing. Hard gel is applied to the nail straight from the pot (no mix ratio required) and each layer is cured under a UV or LED light. It’s made of monomers and/or oligomers (chains of monomers) plus other ingredients that help the gel remain workable, adhere to the nail, harden properly and resist yellowing. Technically speaking, hard gel (also called traditional or standard gel) is similar to acrylic in its chemical makeup. After a proper introduction, your clients will be saying “hello” to hard gel as well! Here, experts reacquaint you with the basics and benefits of hard gel, and share important tips for application and removal. However, like other professional products, when used properly, hard gel boasts plenty of compelling qualities that clients (and techs!) should be talking about. Unfortunately, many newbie nail customers tend to lump them all into one daunting category, which may be accompanied by a fear of fumes, nail damage and other potentially misplaced apprehensions. That being said, she explained that acrylics, when done safely, shouldn’t damage the natural nail and can allow your technician to create a really long and hard nail extension that you might not be able to achieve otherwise.As longer nails continue to trend, even the most conservative clients can’t help but be curious about enhancements. “When you remove acrylics, you have to file them down a lot, and if not done properly, you can file away a lot of the natural nail too,” she noted. Firstly, applying them creates a lot of powder and dust, and there’s very strong chemical smells so you need to be in a very well-ventilated area to do this safely, and some people can actually be allergic to the dust,” said Krisztina, adding that they don’t offer acrylics at DryBy for this reason. ![]() “There’s many reasons for this complexity. According to Krisztina, these also require a very specialist technician to apply and remove. The process involves your technician mixing together a formula using a powder, which is mixed with specific chemicals to form a sort of jelly texture, which is then spread across the nail. ![]() Possibly the most long-lasting of the lot, acrylics also offer a nail extension, and can either be applied over the whole nail or just at the tips to create longer length.
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