Gel manicures have become increasingly popular over the last decade thanks to their long-lasting finish and chip-resistant wear. OPI GelColor is one of the most well-known gel polish brands on the market. But there are conflicting opinions on whether gel manicures are actually bad for your nails.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at OPI gel polish and examine the potential pros and cons for your nails. We’ll cover how gel manicures work, their durability compared to regular polish, and the key ingredients in OPI gels. We’ll also explore the main concerns around UV/LED light exposure and removal, as well as provide tips for safe gel manicure maintenance.
How Do Gel Manicures Work?
Unlike regular nail polish which dries by evaporation, gel polish needs to be ‘cured’ under a UV or LED lamp. This causes photoinitiators in the gel formula to harden and adhere to the natural nail.
There are three steps to a gel manicure:
- Base coat – This prep layer goes on first to help the gel bond properly.
- Color coat – Just like regular polish, this is when the chosen gel color is applied.
- Top coat – A final glossy seal to help harden and protect the manicure.
After each layer, your nails go under the light to cure the gel. Curing times vary based on formula, but are usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The end result is an ultra glossy, chip-free manicure that can last up to 3 weeks with proper maintenance.
OPI GelColor Ingredients
OPI GelColor formulas contain many of the same ingredients you would find in regular nail polish:
- Nitrocellulose: The key film forming agent in nail polish and gel formulas.
- Adipic acid: For flexibility and adhesion to the natural nail.
- Acetyl tributyl citrate: A plasticizer for flexibility and bend.
- Isopropyl alcohol: Quick drying solvent.
- Stearalkonium bentonite: For thickening and suspension of color pigments.
- Trimethyl pentanyl diisobutyrate: Fast drying component.
The main differences are:
- Photoinitiators: These reactive compounds allow the gel to cure under UV/LED light. Common ones are benzophenone, ethyl Michler’s ketone, and methyl benzoylformate.
- Higher pigment load: More color pigments mean more intense, opaque color payoff.
Gel Polish vs Regular Polish Durability
There’s no contest – gel polish easily lasts longer than traditional nail lacquer. While regular polish may start chipping after just a few days, a gel manicure can stay flawlessly intact for up to 3 weeks.
There are a few reasons why gel has superior wear:
- Curing fuses layers together and bonds them to the nail.
- Higher pigment load provides opaque coverage.
- Thicker consistency is less prone to chips and dents.
- Glossy topcoat acts as armor against scratches.
Gel manicures have staying power that regular lacquer just can’t compete with. Even with careful real-life wear and tear, they continue looking freshly-painted long after regular polish would have chipped away.
What About UV/LED Light Exposure?
The biggest concern around gel manicures is the potential damage caused by prolonged UV and LED light exposure during the curing process.
It’s well-established that overexposure to UV rays from sunlight can accelerate skin aging and increase skin cancer risk. But UV nail lamps operate at a different wavelength than the sun’s rays. They emit mostly UVA light with a small amount of UVB.
Studies have generally found modern LED lamps to be safe for nail use, emitting very low levels of UVA. But older UV lamp models may expose hands to higher levels of UVA radiation. This has raised some concerns around potential skin photoaging or skin cancer risk when getting frequent gel manicures.
To be safe, experts recommend the following precautions:
- Use LED lamps when possible, as they emit less UVA than UV lamps.
- Limit total curing time to 3 minutes per session.
- Wear fingerless gloves or SPF hand cream.
- Get gels removed properly as soon as they start growing out.
- Inspect your nail tech’s equipment for damage.
- Avoid excessive gel manicures. Stick to every 2-3 weeks.
Following safe curing guidelines and not overdoing gels will help minimize any potential risks from UV/LED light exposure.
Can Gel Polish Damage Your Nails?
While UV/LED light exposure is still up for debate, removing gels is known to weaken natural nails. That’s why proper gel removal technique is so important.
Gel polish bonds firmly to the nail plate with an adhesive base layer. Attempting to peel or pick gels off can seriously thin and damage the nails.
To break the gel’s bond, acetone or another strong nail polish remover must be used. But excessively long soak-off times in acetone can dry out and dehydrate the nails. The ideal removal aims to break the gel’s bond in the shortest time possible.
Here are some tips for safe gel removal:
- File off the shiny top layer before soaking to allow acetone to penetrate better.
- Use acetone with professional nail wraps instead of cotton balls to prevent over-soaking.
- Limit soak time to 10-15 minutes, then gently scrape off gel with a tool.
- Moisturize and nourish nails after removal.
- Avoid back-to-back gel sets. Give nails a breather with regular polish.
When done properly, gel removal doesn’t have to be damaging. But frequent gels without breaks can lead to weakened, thin nails over time.
The Healthiest Way to Get Gel Manicures
Moderation and maintenance are key for keeping your nails healthy with gel polish. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Get gels no more than every 2-3 weeks to avoid excessive light exposure and removal sessions.
- Moisturize and massage your nails and cuticles in between gels.
- Use nail treatments containing proteins or vitamins to strengthen nails.
- Switch to regular polish or nail hardeners for 1-2 weeks between gel sets.
- Avoid picking or peeling – always soak gels off gently.
- See a dermatologist if you notice any nail changes or damage.
It’s also smart to inspect the salon’s sanitation practices closely. Make sure all tools are properly cleaned and disinfected between clients. Dirty implements can lead to infections around the nail and cuticles.
Pros and Cons of Gel Nail Polish
To recap, here are the main pros and cons associated with gel manicures:
Pros
- Long lasting wear, up to 3 weeks chip-free.
- Dries quickly with no smudging.
- More durable and tamper-proof finish.
- Wide variety of colors and effects.
Cons
- UV/LED light can potentially damage skin.
- Frequent removal can weaken natural nails.
- Difficult to remove safely at home.
- Regular infills needed to prevent lifting.
Conclusion
While gel manicures aren’t necessarily bad for your nails with proper care, they do require maintenance and moderation. Getting gels too frequently, improperly removing them, and neglecting nail health between appointments is when damage is most likely to occur.
To keep your natural nails healthy under gel polish, limit gels to every 2-3 weeks, stick to short LED curing times, and thoroughly moisturize nails after removal. If you notice any swelling, pain, or lasting nail damage, it’s best to take a break from gels and consult your dermatologist.
With careful attention to application, removal, and nail health, it’s possible to enjoy long-lasting gel manicures without compromising the strength and integrity of your nails.
How Often Should You Get Gel Manicures?
Most manicurists recommend getting gel polish reapplied every 2-3 weeks. Here are some guidelines on gel manicure frequency:
- Every 2 weeks: For those who want flawlessly perfect nails at all times.
- Every 3 weeks: The typical recommendation for most gel wearers.
- Every 4 weeks: For those who don’t mind some minor growth and tip wear.
Anything beyond 4 weeks risks the gel lifting off, which can lead to moisture getting trapped under the polish. While not a major health risk, lifting can cause some minor nail damage when you eventually remove the gels.
Some additional factors to consider regarding gel manicure frequency:
- Nail length – Longer nails may show more obvious tip wear and lift quicker.
- Nail health – Weaker, more flexible nails may not hold up as long.
- Job duties – Those with hands in water often may show faster lifting.
- Skin type – Oily cuticles may affect adhesion longevity.
Tracking how well your individual nails hold up can help determine the best personal reapplication schedule for you. But for most, sticking to every 2-3 weeks is ideal to prevent excessive UV exposure while keeping nails looking their best.
Are Shellac and Gel Polish the Same Thing?
Shellac is often used interchangeably with gel polish, but there are a few differences between Shellac and other gel manicure brands like OPI GelColor.
Shellac was the first major “at-home gel” system that allowed for extended wear without UV lamps. It consists of:
- Base coat
- Colored polish
- Top coat
Key differences between Shellac and traditional gel polish include:
| Shellac | Gel Polish (OPI GelColor) |
|---|---|
| Cures in natural air, no lamp needed | Needs UV or LED lamp to cure |
| Slightly flexible finish | Extremely rigid, glass-like finish |
| Lower pigment/gloss level | High pigment and ultra glossy |
| Good durability, up to 2 weeks chip-free | Excellent durability, lasts 3+ weeks |
While Shellac and gel are not exactly the same, they provide similarly long-lasting wear that outperforms regular polish. However, true gel polish like OPI GelColor delivers better color vibrancy and longer wear when cured under UV/LED lamps.
How to Make Gel Polish Last Longer
Here are some tips to extend the life and wear of your gel manicure:
- Get infills before lifting occurs. Re-balance enhances durability.
- Avoid picking at or peeling lifted sections. This can remove layers prematurely.
- Use nail oil daily to keep nails and cuticles hydrated and flexible.
- Wear gloves for wet work to protect from moisture damage.
- Apply a layer of clear gel topcoat over color weekly.
- Wrap tips when applying polish to prevent early tip wear.
- Limit hand sanitizer use, as alcohol can cause lifting.
Avoiding damage and reinforcing the gel layers regularly helps maintain that freshly-painted look for as long as possible. With proper care, OPI GelColor and other gel polishes can go the full three weeks with barely a chip.
How to Remove Gel Nails Safely
To remove gel polish without taking off layers of your actual nail, follow these safe DIY soak-off steps:
- File the gel surface to remove the top shine and allow acetone to penetrate.
- Apply a thick cotton pad soaked in pure acetone to each nail.
- Wrap each finger in foil and let acetone soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Check if gel is ready to remove – it should slide off the nail easily.
- Gently push off gel with an orangewood stick, avoiding scraping motions.
- Swipe away residue and re-soak any stubborn spots for another 5 minutes.
- Once all gel is removed, buff nails and apply cuticle oil or moisturizing cream.
Patience during the soak and gently coaxing off the gel prevents excessive filing or scraping that can thin and damage nails. Taking time to rehydrate nails after removal also helps combat dryness.
How Often Can You Get Gel Manicures Before Damage?
There’s no set number for how many gel manicures your nails can handle before suffering damage. But these factors affect the risk of negative effects:
- Manicure frequency – The more often gels are applied and removed, the higher the risk.
- Removal technique – Harsh scraping or picking can thin nails faster.
- Nail health – Weak, brittle nails are more prone to thinning.
- Quality standards – Unsanitary tools and lamps raise infection risks.
To put numbers on it:
- Getting gels every 1-2 weeks increases risks.
- Getting gels every 3-4 weeks is more reasonable for most.
- 12 or more gel manicures per year without breaks may lead to issues.
But even clients who stretch gels to 3 weeks can experience problems if other factors like removal process or nail health aren’t addressed.
The best practice is checking in with your own nails’ condition and allowing rest periods with nail strengthening treatments as needed.
Conclusion
Gel manicures involve some risk of nail damage, especially with overly frequent use. But when applied and removed properly, OPI GelColor and other gel polishes are generally safe for your nails in moderation.
To keep nails healthy while enjoying long-lasting gel manicures:
- Follow safe curing guidelines under LED/UV lamps.
- Limit gels to every 2-3 weeks to avoid overexposure.
- Soak off gels gently with foil wraps instead of scraping.
- Strengthen nails with breaks between gel sets.
While gels aren’t necessarily bad for nails themselves, they do require diligent maintenance and care for best results. With the right technique and moderation, you can safely enjoy durable, chip-free gel manicures without compromising the health of your natural nails.