Nail extensions with gel polish: features and types of procedure

Issues discussed in the material:

What is gel nail extension?
What types of gel extensions exist?
What is the difference between types and shapes of extensions?
What is silk extensions?
Which is better: acrylic or gel coating?
How to grow your nails yourself?
What is the procedure for nail extension and correction?

Manicure is an important element that can complete a woman’s look. Salons offer different types of this service, and clients have to choose: get nail extensions with gel polish or the classic version. To do this, it is important to understand the types of coverage, know the differences and all the pros and cons of each of them.

Nail extensions with gel polish - what is it like?

One of the options offered by salons is today’s fashionable nail extensions with gel polish. The procedure itself is very simple, takes little time, is also absolutely painless and allows you to create a very beautiful manicure. This type of gel polish extension can last about a month on average. The marigolds have a very natural appearance, and the materials do not harm health.

Gel polish extensions are perfect for women with weak and brittle nails, as well as those whose nails are not very beautifully shaped. This procedure can be done continuously for 10–12 months. Then you need to let your nails rest for a couple of months. With regular correction, the gel will help you grow your own nails to the desired length, as well as strengthen them.

Extensions with gel polish have many advantages, thanks to which the procedure is in demand among women:

artificially elongated nails look natural;
gel polish perfectly hides the imperfections of your own nail plate;
large selection of design types;
the coating is durable and can be worn for a long time;
no need to renew your polish every 2-3 days.

But this procedure also has a number of disadvantages that are important to know about:

takes on average 2 hours;
the cost of the service is quite high;
worsens the condition of natural nail plates;
you will need regular caring procedures to restore your nails;
It is advisable to perform correction every 2-3 weeks so that the manicure looks neat;
To remove gel polish, you need the help of a specialist.

The duration of the procedure depends on the experience of the extension specialist. A beginner and inexperienced specialist can spend up to 5 hours on this, while an experienced master can do it in 2–2.5 hours. Naturally, the time increases if you have chosen a complex design.

On average, the lower limit of cost fluctuates around 1,000 rubles, and the upper limit is approximately 4,000 rubles. But it should be borne in mind that a low price may also indicate a low qualification of the master.

Pros and cons of gel extensions

The positive aspects of using gel for modeling artificial nail plates include the following:

The material does not emit a smell either during operation or after hardening.
The natural origin of the gel contributes to its good perception by your own nail plates. It does not cause allergic reactions or irritation.
Gel extensions prevent the formation of fungus on the nails, since the material allows light and air to pass through to its own nail plate.
This material is very convenient and easy to use. Its versatility allows you to produce various volumetric decorative elements for nail design.

The disadvantages of using gel for nail extensions include the following:

The durability of gel artificial nails is lower than that of their acrylic counterparts.
Gel nails do not like sudden changes in temperature; this can cause cracks to form on them.
If the nail is broken, then in order to restore it, you will need to completely cut off the old artificial surface and create a new one.

Materials and tools for nail extensions

The necessary tools for nail extensions under gel polish are shown in the photo. These are brushes, tips, buffs for polishing, an ultraviolet lamp, containers for mixing materials, tweezers, manicure scissors, wipes for removing the sticky layer.

You will also need degreasing and antiseptic liquids, moisturizing cuticle oil, primer, base and top coat, and colored gel polishes.

Types of gels for nail extensions + lamp

There are different types of gels that are used depending on what type of extension you have chosen:

Basic colorless gel - provides good adhesion of the material to the surface of the nail plate, used in three-phase extensions.
Sculpting gel - also used in the three-phase method in the second stage. Serves to form the nail.
Camouflage gel - gives a natural look to the coating. With its help it is good to do French nails, your nails look like real ones.
Finishing gel - used to add gloss, serves to consolidate the result.
Gel chewing gum is a new type of material used to artificially increase length. The extended nail is formed from the middle of the natural nail plate, and it hardens on its own after 2 minutes, so the use of an ultraviolet lamp is not necessary at all.

The simplest type of extension is using a single-phase gel, so this option is recommended for beginners. Single-phase gel performs all the functions of other gels used in three-phase extensions. It adheres the material to the nail plate, helps to form a new nail, and also gives it strength. The process goes like this: the nail is degreased, gel is applied and dried. It is possible to apply a second layer if the result is too transparent or the coating has streaked. But this is optional.

In three-phase extensions, three different gels are used: adhesion to surfaces, modeling and giving strength. Each product is applied separately and must be dried at each individual stage.

Biogel is the latest breathable material made on the basis of resins. Thanks to its natural composition and the vitamins and minerals it contains, it nourishes the natural nail and has a beneficial effect on its condition. The material is very soft and flexible, and can be removed using a special liquid without cutting. The biogel extension process itself looks like this:

The nails are degreased, shaped, the surface of the nail is polished, and the cuticle is pushed back.
Next, apply primer and bonder and dry.
Special shapes are attached to the fingers.
Biogel is applied to the mold, then the coating is dried under an ultraviolet lamp.
Cover with a second layer and dry again.
At the end, the nails are polished with buffs and a finishing gel is applied.

As for the lamps used in the process, their main characteristic is power, since the drying time of the gel polish directly depends on this. It is recommended to choose lamps with a power of 36 W. This will not only significantly speed up the procedure, but also improve the quality of work. Try not to skimp on equipment. A not very expensive kit may include a 9 W lamp, but this is very little to do a really good job.

In addition to power, attention should also be paid to the material of the case. If you often work on the road, it is recommended to purchase a lamp with a metal body. This will protect the device from damage and scratches.

Technology of applying gel polish to extended nails

It is not advisable to steam your nails; it is better to apply a special cuticle remover and push back or trim the cuticles.

Use a special file for extended nails to file the free edge.
Artificial nails do not need to be coated with primer, but degreasing the nail plate is essential.
Some people recommend using a base. It is needed so that the gel polish adheres to the surface of the extended nails. When applied to natural nails, a base coat is necessary: it protects against negative effects and ensures adhesion of the layers. Covering artificial nails with a base is not critical.

Note! Extended nail plates must be impeccably smooth - only then will the gel polish look presentable. It is recommended to polish the surface of the nails before applying base.

The base must be dried under a UV lamp for two minutes.
Apply the first layer of gel polish without streaking to the side ridges and cuticle, sealing the free edge, and then polymerize. If a streak has formed, it can be removed with an orange stick (before drying in the lamp). Sealing is necessary to make nails aesthetically pleasing by hiding their thickness.
If necessary, apply the thinnest possible second layer of gel polish and also dry.

Cover your nails with the finishing topcoat and place under the lamp for two minutes. Which top is better to use? There are two options:

finishing top with a sticky layer for gel polish - will provide a high-quality coating without chips;
finishing top with a sticky layer for hard gels (for extended nails) - perfect for such a coating and will last until correction.

A finish without a sticky layer will not work, as it will not preserve the integrity of the gel polish on artificial nails.

Dry the top under the lamp.
If desired, make the design with rhinestones. Without removing the sticky layer, apply a single-phase transparent gel to the coating in the places where the rhinestones will be located. Place the rhinestones and outline with a thin brush with gel. If the rhinestones are small, you can apply them directly to the top before drying.
Dry in a UV lamp.
Remove the dispersion layer.
Care for extended nails with gel polish

Girls, chasing fashion and practicality, sometimes forget that under layers of gel, real nails suffer from a lack of useful components and oxygen. On damaged nail plates, no extended nails or gel polishes will stick firmly and look aesthetically pleasing, which means that care is necessary.

Firstly, it is necessary to exclude any mechanical impact on the artificial nail plate. Simply put, stop mercilessly using your nails as a household tool. Gel is a very fragile material, which in case of unexpected destruction can ruin the natural nail.

For at least a couple of days after applying gel polish, it is recommended to do housework with gloves.

Secondly, making nail baths is not advisable, but rubbing valuable oils and vitamins into the cuticle is what you need. The nutrition of nails comes from the cuticle, which means that all useful components must get there.

Nail extensions with gel polish at home and correction

Many women do not go to salons, but perform the procedure on their own. In this case, it is important to follow the following rules:

It is not recommended to use hand cream on the day of extensions, as it can penetrate into the pores and remain there. In this case, even if a degreasing liquid is used, the quality of the coating may suffer.
It is imperative to pay attention to the treatment of the cuticle, this will prevent its premature regrowth, and the manicure will retain its neat appearance for a longer period.
Before the procedure, you should take into account that medications such as hormones and antibiotics can affect the quality of adhesion of the gel to the surface of the nail plate. Also, the adhesion of the material may deteriorate during the menstrual cycle.
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The procedure should not be performed on sick, peeling nails, or if there is fungus. First they need to be completely cured.
Make corrections in a timely manner, as long breaks in procedures negatively affect the condition of the nails.

On average, the wearing time for extended nails is from 2 to 5 weeks. This depends on the individual characteristics of the body, external factors and, of course, the quality of materials. As natural nails grow, which becomes noticeable after an average of 3 weeks, corrections need to be made. It is much easier to do than re-extending your nails. The following can be said in favor of the correction:

the procedure saves your time;
she can help you grow your own nails to the desired length;
During the correction process, gel polish remover, which has harmful properties, is not used.

Thus, you don’t have to repeat the extension procedure, but perform corrections periodically. It is carried out as follows:

At the beginning, as always, they do a manicure. The master removes the cuticle, files and shapes the nails.
The shiny coating of the gel polish is removed using a buff, and the irregularities are sanded down.
The nail is degreased and a primer is applied.
Next, you need to hide the nail that has grown along the base using a base coat, which is applied to the entire surface of the plate.
The base is dried under an ultraviolet lamp and the dispersion layer is removed with a special cloth.
Then they paint it twice with colored gel polish, paying attention to the regrown edge.
At the end, the finishing gel is applied and the coating is dried again in the lamp, the dispersion layer is removed.

Long nails without extensions: alternative options

If this service is not available to the client, manicurists can offer an equally high-quality alternative:

Strengthening with biogel . This product is used to protect short nails from brittleness and splitting, and also promotes their intensive growth. The biogel contains organic components and vitamins, so it is considered hypoallergenic and safe. This product is inexpensive, so if you have an ultraviolet lamp, it can be used at home - both as a remedy and instead of a base for varnish. There are also colored gels on sale that act as a full-fledged decorative coating.

This product is also used as a material for nail extensions. The procedure is carried out using the same technology as using gel, but the master combines basic, modeling and colored biogels. As a result, extended nails look just as beautiful, but at the same time they are elastic and low in strength.

Gel polish coating . This decorative coating, thick in consistency, is applied in several layers to polished nails, drying at each stage in an ultraviolet lamp. Gel polish is suitable even for the shortest nails, protects them from mechanical damage and lasts for at least 2 weeks. The service of applying such a coating is priced relatively inexpensively, and nail technicians can be found both in specialized nail studios and in cosmetology centers. The disadvantage of gel polish is that after removing it, the nails become thinner and weaker.

How to restore nails after extensions

During the extension process and after removing the gel coating, the nail plates are damaged due to constant filing and exposure to chemical compounds. Here are a few simple rules to follow to restore their condition after the procedure:

Only wear gloves when cleaning and washing dishes.
Rub Vaseline into your nails regularly. You can lubricate them with iodine at night.
Take vitamins.
Eat and drink more dairy products.
For some time you will have to give your nails a break from the extension procedure.

Many women prefer nail extensions with gel under polish, because this is the safest way to create a beautiful and neat manicure. The coating is durable, strengthens nails and allows them to breathe. Many representatives of the fair sex like that gel polish lasts at least 2-3 weeks, so they don’t have to think about updating it regularly. Women also say that the procedure helps to grow their nails to the desired length and make them more neat. Moreover, extensions are very simple to perform, and you can easily do it yourself at home.

Fashion trends: is it important to get nail extensions?

Every woman wants to have well-groomed hands with a beautiful manicure. But the condition of the nails is not always pleasing; without proper care, they often become thinner and break off at the edges, which spoils their appearance.

One solution to this problem is nail extensions. Nowadays, this method is relevant for most women.

Synthetic and natural materials such as gel, acrylic, fabrics - linen, fiber, silk - are chosen as extension products. A specialist can do nail extensions both in a salon and at home.

Modern trends in nail design: naturalness, moderation. Therefore, nails should look as natural as possible. Including their color and shape - no frills. The rounded shape of nails, smooth lines, without sharp or predatory transitions, are considered relevant today.

The length of the nails should be average, but this nuance depends on the individuality of the nail plate itself - each woman has her own. The longer the nail plate, the more attractive and natural the elongated shape will look.

Gel nail extensions require a lot of experience - this procedure is complex. Getting a flawless manicure and a good mood will require a lot of time and patience, but the result is worth it.

Author: Olga Rogozhkina, especially for Mama66.ru