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Are gel nail extensions better than acrylic?

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Are gel nail extensions better than acrylic?

Question:

In the NSS salon, they do gel nail extensions. Apparently, this powder is lighter & better quality than Acrylic powder. Also, it feels lighter than Acrylic nail extensions. What is this powder, please? I can’t seem to find where it is sold. I can’t understand how it feels lighter on the nails.

Answer:

This is more to do with different countries’ terminology than anything.

NSS salons don’t buy from our mainstream suppliers. They have their own suppliers. There is a brand that calls their L&P “gel nails” and “Solar Nails”. This isn’t an accurate description but, when mixing a monomer with a polymer powder, it does actually create a ‘gel’ before it properly polymerizes. So it isn’t totally wrong.

I do not believe the powder for these gel nail extensions is any different nor ‘lighter’ as the system needs the powder to carry certain other ingredients for it to work. One of the issues with some of these products is that they have MMA (methylmethacrylate) rather than EMA (ethyl methacrylate) as the monomer. This isn’t more dangerous but it is inappropriate to use as it is too hard and rigid. It also needs a virtually shredded nail plate to adhere to rather than a chemical adhesion.

I hope this clears it up a little.
By the way, MMA is not banned in the UK.

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byMarian Newman, BEM
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\n

Ethyl methacrylate (EMA): A type of acrylic powder that is often used in nail enhancements.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_b330b8f11f8dc8c9e41d9356983344d2":"

Polymer powder<\/div>
\n

One part of the liquid and powder system that is, infact, millions of tiny beads of a co-polymer. The initiator for the system is coated on the beads and often a colour.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_1246a1b7fb9bed3e4702bd0168f71114":"

Nail plate<\/div>
Nail Plate\n

Hard layers of modified and keratinised skin cells, bonded together, to form a protective plate on the end of each finger and toe, that prevents damage to the underlying bone and allows for manual dexterity.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_d0f1ec027a1fbd229cfbb457151e05df":"

Gel nails<\/div>
Gel nails\n

A system of nail enhancements using any UV cured nail products.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_e14623b52242301c74ec968ef95bc259":"

Chemical<\/div>
Chemical\n

A chemical is a form of matter that can exist as a gas, a solid, a liquid or plasma. Everything in the universe is a chemical except for energy: heat and light. We are made of 100% chemicals; the air is full of chemicals; water is a chemical. Marketing terms that use \u2018chemical free\u2019 are misleading and just wrong. NOTHING except energy is chemical free. It is a way for marketers to provide a false sense of security that is, plainly, unethical.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_df05eb08db9e67ae0ee501e6714c6584":"

Monomers<\/div>
\n

Single units of molecules \u2013 the building blocks of polymers and the polymerisation process. <\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_72c2da9a8323801092f8c58bc2dafbd7":"

NSS<\/div>
1<\/div>\n

NSS is a term commonly used to mean Non-Standard Salons.<\/p>\n
\n

A salon that is \u2018non-standard\u2019 can refer to many issues e.g.<\/p>\n
\n

  • hygiene (appropriate for tools, and equipment,)<\/li>
  • compliant products<\/li>
  • under age services<\/li><\/ul>\n
    \n

    This description can apply to any salon regardless of race and ownership.<\/p>\n

    2<\/div>\n

    NSS (non-standard salons): Refers to nail salons that do not follow industry standards for sanitation and hygiene. NSS may put clients at risk of infection and other health issues.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","cmtt_4eb428598c1d8f289e6897779124e77d":"

    UV Gel<\/div>
    \n

    A nail product that cures (or polymerizes) under a UV lamp.
    There are various types of UV gels, categorized by the way they can be removed, or by the way they can be used.

    <\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a1f17f7b6c12911aab586fcc27ce999b":"

    L&P<\/div>
    Liquid and Powder\n

    A two-part nail enhancement system using polymer powder and monomer liquid, and applied using a sable brush.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_60ac854c9ba46f98abfe164a984ce40a":"

    MMA<\/div>
    \n

    Methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymer, also known as PMMA, is a durable and strong polymer used in the production of certain types of nail enhancements, such as acrylic nails. PMMA provides a sturdy and long-lasting nail surface when used in combination with liquid monomers.<\/p>\n<\/div>"}}; -->