Different Nail Systems in 2022

The professional nail industry is changing constantly and every year manufacturers bring new product onto the market. Besides traditional polish(varnish) there are a multitude of different methods you can use to achieve your dream look, alternate systems which may be better suited to your nails than others. Offering multiple systems shows your clients that you are able to provide the best and most diverse service possible. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each system available.

All About Regular Nail Polish – Simple to put on simple to take off

We are all familiar with traditional nail polish aka nail lacquer or nail varnish. Nail polish originally came from China back to 3000 BC, where the upper classes used it as a distinction of rank and dynasty. In 1917, Cutex launched the first ever commercially manufactured version and soon became popular around the world. Traditional nail polish is made from a blend of nitrocellulose, solvents and pigments. Whilst it is not the most complex of products to formulate, it is a highly flammable product. In 2012 one of the largest manufacturers in the UK (Decorative Industries, Northampton) suffered a catastrophic fire which led to massive changes within the industry.

Many people love traditional nail varnish because it can easily be applied without any expensive equipment (such as UV lamp) and easily wiped away with polish remover ’aka non-acetone’, so you can change the colour as often as you'd like. Change your outfit, change your polish to match.

However, traditional nail varnishes have major disadvantages; it's easy to chip and can take a very long time to dry. Although there is an existing long wear type polish what may last a day or two longer, out of all our services regular nail varnish will still have the shortest lasting finish.

This is where gel polish comes in.

All about gel polish – A ground-breaking technique

Who wouldn’t want a manicure that lasts long, stays glossy, and dries in a few seconds? Gel nails first appeared in the U.S. in the early 1980s however soak-off gel nail polish is relatively new, it started becoming popular in the nail industry in 2012.

Gel polish is made up of acrylic monomers and oligomers that bond together when place under a specific UV or LED light. A chemical process begins when chain reaction creates heat and the gel begins to set. Each brand has a slight difference in component, some has higher or lower gel content. Gel polish is also called soak-off gel, their molecules have high weight and elongated structures leaving space between them, which lets solvents get inside to break it down. This is why it can be removed by soaking it in acetone.

However, there is one drawback of gel polish against normal polish is that it is harder to get off; it has to be soaked off in acetone for at least a few minutes before it can be removed.Gel polish is applied directly over your natural nails and it’s not strong enough to add extra length. If you are committed to keeping your natural nails strong and healthy and at their current length, this will be the perfect choice. If you want long, flashy nails then we've got more options...

All about Hard Gel – Extra length and different styles

UV gels are a type of nail enhancement that can add extra length and create different shapes and styles. The first UV Gel system was introduced and UV lamp created by James Giuliano in 1982 but was met with limited success until the end of the ‘90s, when gel nails returned on the U.S. nail scene, now with much-improved formulas. The biggest difference between Hard and Soft Gel nails is porosity and removal. Hard gel has a structure that is tightly woven and low molecular weight, this makes it lightweight yet strong and durable. Due to this tight structure, acetone cannot penetrate to break down the gel and this is why filing is used to remove hard gel from the nails.

All about Acrylic – Soakable extension?

In 1957 a dentist, Frederick Slack broke his nail at work; to repair it he used an aluminium foil and dental acrylic to create an artificial nail. After experiments with different materials, he collaborated with his brother and finally created what we know as acrylic nails. All of the systems we use grew out of dental technology, used for bridges and crowns. "All materials subsequently used also belong to the acrylic family, but the term 'acrylic nails' has stuck to the method of using a liquid monomer and powder polymer." -Marian Newman

Acrylic nails are made out of a combination of acrylic powder and liquid monomer. It sets faster than gel and tends to be harder. However, a major drawback is the strong smell from the liquid monomer and rigidity of the enhancement making it quite hard to shape and file. It also doesn’t suit every nail type due to its firmness, some clients need more flexibility.

It’s a shame there isn’t a fusion of gel and acrylic, this would meet the demands of the majority. Well, actually there is...

All about Acrygel - The lovechild of acrylic and gel nails

Acrygel is a newcomer to the nail industry, with many people questioning what makes them so different to the previous options. It is a hybrid, acrylic powder in gel base pre-mixed in a tube or container. It is both strong and flexible, unlike hard gel which is only strong but lacks flexibility. It has the strength of acrylic and provides the flexibility lacking in acrylic systems. Acrygel is odourless and has an unlimited time for moulding as opposed to acrylics which sets almost instantly. Acrygel sets with the use of a UV/LED lamp.

Acrygel is a new system so there will be mishaps whilst techs are getting used to this hybrid system...even the most experienced tech needs to head off to nail school from time to time to keep on top of all the latest industry developments.

All about Dip powder – Nail trends tend to come and go

The trend isn't exactly new per se but you’ve probably heard of Dip powder nails because it is trending this year on social media.

The dip manicure process takes about the same amount of time as a gel manicure but rather than polished on, the colours come from a powder “dip” applied between base and sealant coats and can be applied on both natural nails or nails with tips. Dipped nails are durable like acrylics, but they’re also flexible like gel nails. The solutions used are (almost) odourless, and they dry in just a few minutes without UV or LED light. This makes the process convenient, time saving and cheaper than the other methods. The system lacks the potential for creative, long extensions that gel, acrylic and acrygel offer.

This guide only gives you a basic information about the different systems with no claim for completeness. While powder dipped, gel, and acrylic nails all have many things in common, each manicure comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

With many diverse systems available it is advisable that over time, all techs continuously train and practice in order to be able to offer their clients the perfect system that suits their individual needs.