Earlier, acrylic extensions were the only options for women with short nails who wanted them to look elongated. Acrylic extensions last long and have many advantages, but they contain questionable products that could harm your overall health. The soft gel nail extension is an excellent alternative. While the technique is not novel, one should know everything about soft gel nails extensions before deciding to have one.
More about Soft Gel Nail Attachments or Extensions
You have heard about press-on-style nails. Similarly, a gel manicure is not a new concept either. However, the soft gel nail extension is an exciting procedure that combines press-on nails and gel manicures. The advantage is that they add sufficient length to your nails. Besides, these extensions are robust and long comfortably for two to three weeks. Finally, these soft-gel extensions do not contain harsh chemical compounds you generally find in acrylic nails. So, this procedure proves healthy for your nails. That explains the popularity soft gel nail attachments have enjoyed recently.
So, are gel polish and soft gel nail attachments the same?
No, the names can appear similar, but the manicure processes are not. For example, gel polish does not enhance the nail’s length or shape because you paint gel polish directly to your nails. On the other hand, soft gel nail attachments are distinct attachments that add strength to your nails and protect them. Besides, you can file and shape your nail extensions in whichever way you want.
However, the similarity between the two procedures is the curing process under the UV/LED lamp. Secondly, the removal process is similar because it involves soaking the nails in acetone.
Comparison of soft gel attachments with acrylic nails?
Naturally, soft gel nail attachments draw comparisons with acrylic nails because of their similarity. However, the similarities end with their appearance. Acrylic nails comprise a plastic tip, a monomer liquid, and a special polymer powder to produce the finished product. Soft gel extensions are made of gel. They cover your nail completely. They are similar to a press-on but without using nail glue.
Are soft gel attachments durable?
If you follow the correct procedure, soft gel nail attachments can comfortably last 3 to 4 weeks. However, much depends on your lifestyle. For example, if you lead an active life, the extensions could have a comparatively shorter lifespan.
So, let us now learn how to apply soft gel nail extensions and ensure that they last long.
Soft Gel Nail Application Procedure
The application procedure is different from that of acrylic nail extensions.
Prep your nails as usual by filing the nails, pushing the cuticles back, and buffing the nail surface. You should cleanse the nail surface to remove all traces of moisture or oils because they can interfere with the manicure process.
Selecting the appropriate size for each nail is crucial because the wrong size will not fit the nails perfectly. After choosing the right size, you can proceed with filling the inside portion of the nail tips. Then, apply an acetone layer over the surface.
The next step is to apply the bonder. The bonder plays multiple roles. Besides binding the gel extension to the nail, the bonder is a dehydrator because it can soak up the oils from the nail surface to facilitate the manicure.
The primer application is crucial because it helps the gel extension stick to the nail surface. In addition, the primer ensures to make the nail surface sticky.
The subsequent step is the gel layer application over the primer. Again, curing the gel layer under the UV/LED lamp is critical.
Now, you can proceed with pressing the soft gel extensions to your natural nail. After pressing it on, it is better to cure the nails using a handheld LED lamp. However, the proper curing inside the UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds is essential to complete the curing process.
Now, How Do You Remove the Soft Gel Extensions?
While you can perform the removal procedure at home, visiting a nail salon and seeking professional assistance is better. The professionalism ensures there is no damage to your nails.
The nail salon technician uses a nail drill to penetrate the top gel layer. The drilling process removes up to 90% of the gel layer. Then, you can follow the regular acetone soak method to remove the residual soft gel polish. However, as this process involves using acetone, your nails can dehydrate. Therefore, it is advisable to allow your nails to recover. A week should suffice for your nails to regain their health.
Final Words
You would have noticed that soft gels present a viable alternative to acrylic nails. You get the safety of gel nails and the durability of nail extensions in a single procedure. Hence, the soft gel is gaining popularity globally.