Gel vs Shellac Nails: Difference and Comparison

Gel, also referred to as “hard gel,” is formed of acrylic monomers and olefins that link together while exposed to UV radiation. Unlike Shellac, a gel manicure may be moulded to fit the curve of the nail, whereas Shellac has a stronger, glossier texture.

Key Takeaways

1. Gel nails use a polymer resin that hardens under UV light, while shellac nails combine gel and traditional nail polish.
2. Shellac nails have a more natural appearance and cause less damage to the nail bed than gel nails.
3. Gel nails last longer, up to three weeks, compared to shellac nails, which last up to two weeks.

Gel vs Shellac Nails

Gel nails are used to paint fake nails and add designs to them, and they can be hardened by UV light. They have a glossy finish and last longer than normal nail paint. Shellac Nails are an in-salon nail polish invented by Creative Nail Design and is a hybrid of gel and normal nail polish.

To generate fake nail additions, gel nails can be employed, but they’re also used as nail paint. UV light hardens them.

They last more than ordinary nail paint, and they don’t flake off as easily. One should expect them to last about a week with a glossy finish. 

Creative Nail Design invented and produced a specific in-salon nail polish that is used to make Shellac nails (CND).

With no drying time, deep and lasting outcomes, sheen, color, and ease of cleanup, shellac is a hybrid of gel and normal polish. They generate a shellac impression when subjected to LED light.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Gel	Shellac Nails
Curing Process	While UV light is used to cure a product, it might be a problem for certain individuals, just as in the case of Gel.	In many ways, the curing time of shellac nails resembles that of Gel Fingernails.
Application Process	Using a base color, a topcoat, and polish are all easy to do while applying Gel nails. Curing is the only thing that needs to be added.	One should start by applying the nail paint and shellac base layer, followed by the topcoat. They also have to condition the fingernails after each application of shellac.
Refill duration	Ordinarily, they do not have refills. They need to be replaced if they are worn. Nevertheless, a re-fill is indeed an option.	Shellac nails can be refilled after 2 to 3 weeks.
Guaranteed Durability	Gel nails last about 2 weeks, if not more. It’s possible to prolong the duration to 3 weeks given adequate care.	Shellac nails do have 2 weeks of guaranteed durability. If the user takes good care of these, they can endure up to a month.
Removal Process	The Gel nails are notoriously difficult to get rid of. The best technique to remove gel nails is to file these off or immerse those in acetone.	One should use aluminium wrapping, and cotton balls dipped in acetone to remove shellac nails. Using this method, users may remove the shellac nails with ease.

What is Gel?

To generate fake nail additions, gel nails can be employed, but they’re also used as nail paint. UV light hardens them. They last more than ordinary nail paint, and they don’t flake off as easily.

One should expect them to last about a week with a glossy finish. Epoxy and fibreglass nails are stronger, but gel nails are less durable and likely to be more costly.

Some varieties of gel nails cannot be eliminated using acetone. Thus they must be cleaned in a salon by brushing.

Gel-X is a new type of gel nail extender that was developed in 2017 and is widely known as Gel-X. Gel nail tips come in various designs and thicknesses, and they cover the entire ingrown nail, including its tip. 

PH bonder (dehydrator) and acid-free gel primers are used to apply Gel-X. Last, but not least, it is adhered to using a gel attachment that cures under a UV/LED blue light.

Gel-X nails are removed by dissolving them in acetone for 20 minutes before removing them.

What is Shellac Nails?

Creative Nail Design invented and produced a specific in-salon nail polish that is used to make Shellac nails (CND).

With no drying time, deep and lasting outcomes, sheen, color, and ease of cleanup, shellac is a hybrid of gel and normal polish. They generate a shellac impression when subjected to LED light.

A foundation coat, 2 coats of color, as well as a topcoat are all required, according to doing shellac nails. Each time a nail technician applies a new coat of lacquer, he or she will use an LED light to cure the nails.

If there’s a conclusion to be drawn from all, a glossy, long-lasting texture that does not require drying time is the one.

If a person uses Shellac, they may expect them to last somewhere between 10 to 14 days. After two weeks, the natural nail will tend to increase out, and it won’t be the prettiest look.

Main Differences Between Gel and Shellac Nails

1. While UV light is used to cure a product, it might be a problem for certain individuals, just as in the case of Gel. In many ways, the curing time of shellac nails resembles that of Gel Fingernails.
2. Using a base color, a topcoat, and polish are all easy to do while applying Gel nails. Curing is the only thing that needs to be added. Whereas, in the case of shellac nails, one should start by applying the nail paint and shellac base layer, followed by the topcoat. They also have to condition the fingernails after each application of shellac.
3. Ordinarily, Gel nails do not have refills. They need to be replaced if they are worn. Nevertheless, a re-fill is indeed an option. On the other hand, Shellac nails can be refilled after 2 to 3 weeks.
4. Gel nails last about 2 weeks, if not more. It’s possible to prolong the duration to 3 weeks, given adequate care. Shellac nails do have 2 weeks of guaranteed durability. If the user takes good care of these, they can endure up to a month.
5. Gel nails are notoriously difficult to get rid of. The best technique to remove gel nails is to file these off or immerse those in acetone. One should use aluminium wrapping and cotton balls dipped in acetone to remove shellac nails. Using this method, users may remove the shellac nails with ease.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00595.x
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X13001375