Artificial nails have been around for a long time. They have evolved over the years from press on nails that covered the natural nail with plastic nails shaped like natural nails to acrylic nails, and UV gel nails are the newest technology available for artificial nail applications. Artificial nails can give anyone that perfectly manicured look to their nails.
Press on nails that covered the entire nail that were applied with the equivalent of crazy glue for the nails, were not very durable and would pop off after a short period of time, usually less than a week. Acrylic nails are still a good option but are not the best thing for your nails, UV gel nails are not as harmful as the acrylic options.
How Does UV Gel Work?
Upon an initial visit to the local nail salon, if the nails are very short then an artificial tip will be added. The salon tech will pick the nail tip that best fits for each finger of the hand. The nail tip will be glued to the finger and then the UV gel will be applied. The UV gel comes in a small container that looks like a small cosmetic product container. The UV gel is than painted on the nails after each nail is painted on one hand the hand is placed in a small UV lamp machine. The UV gel is backed under the lamp until it sets around five minutes. Once the UV Gel is set than the nails are filed with a small electric filing tool. The process is repeated, each nail is painted with the UV gel and once all the nails are painted with the UV gel the hand is placed back into the UV machine to bake. After the second round the nails are wiped clean, the UV gel leaves the nails shiny and very natural looking, the UV gel looks so finished that some folks choose not to have their nails painted.
How Long Does UV Gel Last?
The UV gel nails will have to be “filled in” around once every two weeks it depends on the individual and how fast their nails grow. As the natural nail grows out the UV gel will grow out with them, leaving a gap between the UV gel and the nail bed, this is somewhat unsightly and will need to be corrected. The “fill in” process works by the manicurist filling down the UV gel some and than painting the nails again with UV gels. Typically the “fill in” process is about half the cost of having the initial set of UV gel nails put on. Every six months the UV gel and the nails will have to be removed to allow the nails to breath and to prevent fungus from building up underneath.
UV gel nails are a healthy option than acrylic nails, they look beautiful and are very durable. The cost is reasonable and worth the hour long pampering session. UV gel has revolutionized the nail tech industry.
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