What is the difference between Nail Polish and Gel Polish?
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💅As a professional manicurist or home user, it is necessary to understand the difference between nail polish and nail polish gel in advance so that you can choose and use them better. Come with BOZLIN to understand the differences:
1️⃣ Drying Process:
Nail Polish: Air-dries through solvent evaporation. Typically, it takes 5-10 minutes per coat.
Gel Polish: Requires curing under a UV/LED lamp to harden via polymerization. Each layer cures in 60-90 seconds.
2️⃣ Durability:
Nail Polish: Lasts 3-7 days before chipping or peeling.
Gel Polish: Can last 3-4 weeks with high resistance to chipping and wear.
3️⃣ Removal Process:
Nail Polish: Easily removed with acetone-free or regular nail polish remover.
Gel Polish: Requires soaking in acetone (10-15 minutes) or professional removal to avoid nail damage.
4️⃣ Finish & Appearance:
Nail Polish: This may require a top coat for shine; the finish varies by brand/formula.
Gel Polish: Naturally glossy or matte effect after use, super shiny or matte top coats.
5️⃣ Application Complexity:
Nail Polish: Simple at-home application (base coat, color, top coat).
Gel Polish: Multi-step process (base, color, top coat), each cured under a lamp.
6️⃣ Cost:
Nail Polish: Affordable; widely available at various price points.
Gel Polish: Higher initial cost (requires lamp, special polishes) use at home or nail salon.
7️⃣ Health Considerations:
Nail Polish: No UV light is needed, but some formulas contain toxins like formaldehyde or toluene.
Gel Polish: Need UV Lamp, Hema-free, TPO-free, HPMA-free, and Di-hema-free formula. UV exposure during curing may pose skin risks.
8️⃣ Ingredients:
Nail Polish: Contains solvents (e.g., ethyl acetate) that evaporate.
Gel Polish: Formulated with photoinitiators that react to UV/LED light to harden.
9️⃣ Flexibility & Texture:
Nail Polish: Softer, more prone to dents.
Gel Polish: Harder, flexible finish resistant to scratches.
🔟 Storage:
Nail Polish: Use a light-transmitting glass bottle, and the liquid will easily dry out under sunlight.
Gel Polish gel: Use a sealed glass bottle, the gel will not dry out in sunlight, and can be stored for a long time.
🔚Summary: Gel polish offers long-lasting, durable wear with a glossy finish but requires UV curing and careful removal. Regular nail polish is more accessible and easier to change, but less durable. Choose based on desired longevity, budget, and maintenance preference.