What is the difference between acrylic, gel, and solar artificial nails?

Question

i went to the nail salon today and was going to ask the people there but they were all oriental and didn't speak english very well. they did however do a great job on my nails. i ended up going with the gel nails and it does look great and for $10 more it was well worth it because my sister in law just did my nails in acrylic and they started to pop off in a couple days. however i have no clue what solar nails are and i saw that as an option as well. can anyone clue me in as to the difference of the 3?

Answer 1

Nails according to a seasoned nail professional....ME!

First things first....I do not recommend going to any nail salon where they don't speak English as their native language. This is not meant to be racist oir anything either. There are a couple of reasons why I said this. Let's say you are having problems with your nails and are concerned with them. How are you going to ask these people an in-depth question that may require the technician to have an advanced knowledge of nails, nail structure, and product chemistry in order to answer your question both thoroughly, and correctly when they can't even understand you in the first place?  The people that run these salons most often run what are commonly referred to in the nail industry as 'discount' salons. These are loosely defined as any salon that charges about $20-$25 for a full set of acrylic nails. OK, back to your question...

- Acrylic nails are made by the tech combining a monomer (the liquid), and a polymer (the powder). The resulting mixture is then applied to your nails either over plastic tips (the easy way, I hate tips!!!), or is sculpted over your nails to create the nail enhancement. The mixture of liquid and powder hardens in minutes through means of an exothermic reaction. Basically, they harden once they are combined together and are exposed to air, and body heat (from your nails). The end result is a long lasting, durable nail.

- Solar nails. This is simply a term used most commonly by these discount salons to describe what amount to acrylic Pink & White nails. In short, Solar nails ARE acrylic nails. The only thing different is the colors used during the application. MANY peolple mistakenly believe that Solar Nails are something other than acrylic, They think that these nails are stronger, longer-lasting, non-yellowing, and overall- just better than acrylic nails are. Well, as a licensed nail technician who has been around for many years in the nail industry: I'm telling you the truth. They are acrylic nails. No better, no worse. But, they are acrylic nails either way. Don't be fooled by this misleading term. And don't let anyone tell you they are better than acrylic nails. If they do, then just try this one out on them and see what their response is. Simply ask them "What makes these solar nails better than acrylic nails?" I bet they have no idea, because they don't know the answer! They are just going by what other people, and techs have told them. Well, don't believe it. Moving on...

Gel nails. These are nails which are made from chemicals which are very similar to acrylic nails are made from. In fact, both are from the family of chemicals called the acrylics. The difference is that one is a liquid and a powder that is applied to your nails, and air hardened. The other is a gel - literally. The UV gel is applied to your nails in several thin layers. Each individual layer of UV gel MUST be cured under a UV lamp for 2 minutes. There is NO liquid and powder used ion the application of UV gel nails. Here is a pic of some very high quality UV nail gels in their raw form. This is what you should see being applied to your nails at the salon:

http://www.cnd.com/Home/homelink-consume...

Notice the fact that they are NOT a powder? Well, there is a common scam that takes place mostly in the discount salons. You ask for gel nails. The tech then applies liquid and powder to your nails. Remember what that is? You're right, it's acrylic. Excellent. OK, when the nails are finished, sometimes the tech will apply a UV gel topcoat to your nails - if anything at all, and call the end result "Gel" nails. The scam is that gel nails always are higher priced than acrylic nails are. Well, in this case, the customer IS getting acrylic nails, but is paying for gel nails instead. Trust me, it happens ALL the time in these places. Some techs will go as far as telling the customer that they are using a "Powder" gel on your nails, LOL! Hmmm, Powder gel. Sorry folks. There is no UV gel products on the market with that name. A gel is, um, a GEL. Not a powder. Do not be fooled by this scam. It is VERY common.

Now, when top of the line gel products are used, and a highly skilled technician applies therm, the result should be a very thin, very glossy and realistic, lightweight nail enhancement. Gel nails are very durable. In your case, yes, you could have them applied over your natural nail as a way to strengthen them instead of lengthen them. However, neither acrylic, or gel enhancements can be cut down to shorten them. Both MUST be filed. Thats just how it is, sorry. BUT, what may make things easier on you is to use real, high quality nail files to shorten them instead of an emery board, if that is what you have been using? A good nail file of about 150-180 grit will remove any excess length in minutes. An emery board will take forever!

OK, I've gone on long enough. Besides my fingers are now tired from typing, LOL! I hope this helps to answer your questions?

Best wishes!

Answer 2

Solar Nails according to a beauty advice website.

Solar nails are similar to the acrylic nails but they use a different product - usually white or pink acrylic nails. Solar nails often look like a French manicure. Like the acrylic nails, the solar nails also should be refilled every three weeks.  

My input:

Solar nails are actually acrylic nails made by Creative Nail products.  They are pink and white nails.. A lot of nail salons will offer them as solar but NOT use Creative nail products but regular pink and white acrylic.  They are not solar nails.

Pink and white nails are just two colors of acrylic.  Pink on the nail beds and white at the tip to look like a permenant french manicure.

I prefer uv liquid gel nails. They are more flexible than solar nails and look more natural if done right.  I also love my gel nails because they NEVER lift.  I usually get a fill every 3-5 weeks and my nails grow fast.

Hope that helps.