Tough As Nails: Making a Manicure Decision

By Angela Pender
Staff Writer

Other than finding the perfect color for your nails, what is the hardest part of going to the nail salon?

Figuring out what kind of nails you want can be just as difficult as picking a color. Whether you want your natural nails, acrylic nails, or gel nails, the decision can be a tough one.

You would think going to the nail salon would be quick and easy, but with so many choices it’s hard to choos. Don’t worry hopefully after reading this, I hope your trip to the nail salon will be made easier.

First, not a lot of girls may have ever gotten gel nails, or even know what the difference is. Gel nails refer to a special kind of durable polish. Gel polish colors are usually beautiful and more vibrant than regualr nail polish. Gel polish hardens after placing your hands under UV lighting.

When getting gel, you should make sure that your skin is not sensitive to the light and try not to go as often because UV lights as we all know may result to skin cancer.

Dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel from a Dermatologic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York says, “Over time, this (gel nails) can be very damaging to the nail beds” because it may cause your nails to become thinner and weaker, but they may not always be true.

Gel nails also last about three weeks longer than regular nail polish, you don’t need time to let them dry, and they don’t chip!

To have your nails last even longer you can even have acrylic nails and gel polish combination, ensuring that your nails stay glossy and shine for a long time, saving you money in the long run.

If you want to be on the safe side, ask the manicurist to apply sunscreen to your hands to reduce your chances of harming your skin while drying gel under UV light exposure.

Also, when removing the polish, only soak nails in acetone not your whole hands and fingers so it won’t irritate your skin. To save even more money, they also have gel nail polish sets where you can do it at home, without the UV lighting that last just as long.

Luckily now with the updated technology, many brands have changed to LED curing, which doesn’t have the horrifying UV side effects.

Nail companies such as OPI and Essie use LED lights, so ask your salon if they carry that option. Every girl loves the feeling of a fresh manicure, but we love saving that nail run and keeping our cash even better.

Email Angela at:
apender1@live.esu.edu