1. Gel manicures differ from acrylic ones.

Acrylic nails are made with a powder dipped in solvent. Sometimes they come in
colors, but usually they're clear or natural-toned. Gels, on the other hand, come
in nail polish shades, and are made hard by being cured under a UV or LED lamp.


2. Gels do weaken your nail beds, but it's mostly because of the removal process.

Many people worry about getting gels because they fear their nails won't be able
to breathe, but nails are actually dead to begin with, so they don't need to breathe!


3. There are ways to remove gels at home safely.

You need 100 percent acetone, or better yet a gel remover you can pick up at any
drug store or beauty supply store. They tend to be more expensive but are
formulated to be less harsh than pure acetone.

To remove, soak your cotton ball in the acetone or gel remover and place it on top
of your nail. Wrap with foil. Then, wrap your hands in a hand towel - this encourages
the removal process.

Depending on your gel, this can take 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the
products used and if brands were mixed. When the gel is crumbling or sliding off,
gently use a rubber-ended cuticle pusher to clean the gel off of your nail bed.


4. Gels generally last 2-3 weeks.

The best part about gel manis is how long they last. If you have a bunch of events
coming up back to back like prom, internship interviews, and family vacays,
gels can be the perfect solution because they last about two full weeks with no
chipping.