Look at your hands for a second. Are your nails looking a bit tired? Maybe you are typing away, working on a new business plan, and you just look down and think… ugh, I really need a fresh set. We totally get that feeling.
But then you look at the service menu at Yen Nails Aurora and see the big debate staring back at you. Acrylics or gel? It is honestly the most common question we get asked here at the salon. Do not stress about it. We will explain everything to you in simple terms through our upcoming demonstration. The information will be presented to you now in plain language, without any complicated salon terms.
You can think of acrylics as the strong, classic option. We mix a special liquid and a fine powder together. It turns into a little bead of soft dough that we shape right onto your natural nail. And the really cool part? It hardens just by sitting in the room air. No special lamps are needed for this part.
Why do people love them so much? They are strong. Like, really strong. If you work hard with your hands… or if you want those super long, pointy nails you see all over the internet, acrylic is your best bet. It builds a tough shell.
But there is a downside. They are pretty stiff. Because they do not bend at all, hitting your nail hard against a drawer or a door really hurts.
Then we have gel nails. These come in a little pot or bottle and look like super thick honey. The funny thing about gel is that it will never dry just sitting there. You have to put your hand under a special LED or UV light to make it cure and harden.
People go crazy for gel because it looks incredibly natural. It is shiny, lightweight, and actually has a little bit of flexibility. If you accidentally hit your hand, the nail may bend slightly instead of breaking straight away.
The catch? Soft gel protection may not suffice for broken, peeling, and very thin natural nails.
We see a lot of videos online talking about nail safety. It is smart to pay attention to that stuff. For example, some folks worry about the lights we use for gel. According to a study from the American Academy of Dermatology, the risk from these salon lamps is super low. But hey, we always tell our clients to rub a little sunscreen on their hands before they come in. It is just an easy way to play it safe and keep your skin happy.
Also, fun fact… both acrylic and gel actually come from the exact same chemical family. One is not secretly more toxic than the other. At the end of the day, the way the nail technician applies them and, more importantly, takes them off is all that counts.
It really just depends on your day to day life.
If you have naturally okay nails and just want a gorgeous, shiny color that lasts for weeks without chipping… gel is usually the winner. But if you bite your nails to the quick, or you need some serious armor because you are rough on your hands… acrylic is the way to go.
At the end of the day, the product is only as good as the person applying it. That is why we are so picky at Yen Nails Aurora. We look at your actual nail health before we even start. If your nails need a break, we will tell you. We just want you to leave our salon feeling amazing and confident.
And yes, hygiene is a massive deal for us. We perform cleaning operations between all customers who visit throughout our entire operating schedule. People want to have peaceful moments without thinking about germs.
Do not worry if you still have trouble deciding what to select. Just come to our location and see us. Let us see your hands, discuss your normal practice and see what we make of it together. Call for an appointment at 905-727-6030 to get one’s name down. We look forward to meeting you!
