Gel manicures are an excellent alternative to have beautiful nails for much longer. Has not it happened to you that after spending your time and money on a manicure, when you leave the salon or after a few days it has already been damaged? This is why these permanent manicures are the favorite of many women.

Manicuras en gel
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But is this type of treatment safe? Will the rumors around it be true? Does it cause disease? Many questions arise when talking about gel manicures. Therefore, we will explain some details about these to clear up some doubts. Keep reading!

Why do we choose gel manicures?

One of the main reasons why we usually choose gel manicures is for their excellent results. An insurmountable shine that we can hardly find with a conventional manicure. In addition to this, they have a durability that exceeds all expectations. Their practicality and speed, eliminating long drying times and saving us a lot of time. In addition, we do not suffer because our manicure has been damaged. Actually, there are many reasons to choose this type of manicure.

How do gel manicures work?

Gel manicures work very differently than the classic nail polish manicure. To begin with, a specialist in this type of treatment, after the preparation, which involves cleaning and filing the nail, applies a dehydrator, followed by a layer of primer gel. Then apply about three layers of colored gel. Each gel layer is fixed for a period of one to three minutes under an ultraviolet lamp (UVA).

That time the nails spend under ultraviolet light is what makes gel manicure so long-lasting. Since, it fixes the gel polish, hardening it so that it looks nice, smooth and shiny. Unfortunately, gel manicures can come at a high price. Because these can double or even triple the price of a conventional manicure.

But are gel manicures safe?

The million dollar question, are gel manicures safe or not? Well, although the lamps used in a gel manicure session are not as strong as those in a tanning bed, they are not as harmless as you think. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, nail salon lamps primarily produce UVA rays, which have been linked to skin cancer and premature aging.

And while skin cancer risks may be minimal, concentrated ultraviolet exposure on the hands can prematurely age them, causing wrinkles and age spots.

What other risks do gel manicures have?

Ultraviolet lamps are not the only risk factor when getting gel manicures. Gel polish, which we find wonderful for its long duration, can be a problem. Because thanks to its durability it can take weeks before we notice that there is something wrong under it. So it is very easy to miss a nail infection if you cannot see it for some time. Running the risk that the problem literally escapes our hands.

Also, as the nail polish begins to lift, it makes it easier for water to be trapped under the gel polish, becoming a breeding ground for the growth of bacteria and fungi.

On the other hand, during the growth process of gel manicures there are those who tend to remove the gel polish by peeling off the layers with whatever they have on hand. While it can be very satisfying for some, the biggest drawback is that as they remove the gel polish, they are also tearing off layers of your actual nail. This can cause the nails to become brittle, from which it can take months to recover.

And if all of that is not enough, getting rid of gel manicures can cause damage too. That is because the process involves soaking your hands in acetone for about 20 minutes. Acetone dries out nails and prolonged exposure can leave them dehydrated and brittle. Some “specialists” who do not use this procedure, but, even worse, file the nails until the layers of gel are removed. Something that causes almost irreparable damage to the nails.

How to protect yourself if you decide to have a gel manicure?

It could be said that gel manicures in an occasional way are not harmful. But, it is important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself. Therefore, a good tip is to use sunscreen on your hands during the UVA lamp process. In this way, you will protect them from harmful rays during the gel polish drying process.

It is also advisable to apply a super hydrating product around the cuticles, such as jojoba oil. This will help prevent your nails from drying out and becoming brittle.


In conclusion, gel manicures should be very few and far between, if you decide to get them done. We must remember that nails need time to rehydrate and repair. The risks involved in the continuous application of this type of treatment is not something that should be taken lightly.

This does not mean that you should never get gel manicures again, it is only about doing it sporadically, on special occasions, such as a vacation or a holiday where you cannot do the usual touch-ups of a conventional manicure.

Give your nails a few days off every now and then. They need time to breathe and repair themselves from the effects of nail polish and nail polish remover. In addition to looking pretty and groomed, it is also important to make sure your nails are strong and healthy. This is not possible if your nail is constantly covered in polish.

Gel manicures certainly sound good. But it is convenient not to abuse them if we want our nails to be healthy. Hands are sometimes our best letter of introduction, so let’s take care of them and avoid putting them at risk.

ALFA