Acrylic Nails vs PolyGel Nails

Nails, almost every girl’s favorite topic these days. Whether I’m scrolling through my Facebook feed, looking for motivation on Pinterest, or looking at reels on Tick-Tok I can’t help but notice that nails are a huge part of a woman’s life. From short to insanely long, or what designs are on them and how intricate it is, the possibilities are limitless. Have you noticed that there are more types of nail enhancements to choose from too?

• Acrylic

• Hard Gel

• Dip Powders

• Express

• Fiber Glass

• Silk

• Polygel

Out of those different types today we are going to compare acrylic and polygel looking at some of the pros of each one and hopefully educating you on the newest on the market enhancement called polygel.

Let’s start off by looking at our nails. What is it that you see? Do you see nails that are hard and brittle? Then you need an enhancement to help your nails be flexible enough to avoid nail breakage, especially at the edge of the nails, That’s a great candidate for Polygel.

Or maybe you are on the other end of the nail spectrum. Do you notice when looking at your nails, that you have soft nails that are splitting? Then you need strength, and I would use an acrylic product.

What is Acrylic Nails?

Acrylic nails are the oldest and most popular way of creating nail enhancement. The system consists of acrylic powder and liquid also known as polymer and monomer. The nail tech dips the brush in the liquid followed by dipping it in the powder. This creates a bead of product that is used to build your nail. It dries up by itself and does not require a UV/LED lamp. Acrylic nails should last six to eight weeks, but you'll have to head to the salon every two to three weeks to fill in the growth.

Although there are many positives to acrylic nails, such as length and longevity, they can also have some damaging effects. The removal of acrylic nails can be somewhat time-consuming, with them having to be soaked in acetone and then buffed off. As well as acetone making your nails dry and brittle, the buffing process can weaken your nails. This is something to think about when considering getting acrylic nails, plus once you start getting them you probably won’t want to stop!

What is PolyGel Nails?

PolyGel is a substance somewhere between acrylic nails and gel nails. PolyGel is a blend of the two and is the perfect solution for someone who wants to protect their nail bed without having to worry about breaking the nail bed if the false nail breaks. polygel nails can last just like Acrylic Nails with you having to go in for fills just the same.

Polygel can be applied as an overlay on your natural nails, or as a nail enhancement. It is cured under UV light, but it is a lot lighter than both gel and acrylic nails. It also has a much lighter fragrance, which is great for people that like the look of acrylics but can’t stand the smell! In terms of removing Polygel nails, the polish is buffed off rather than soaked off. However, the remaining can be soaked if needed. Polygel is available in a range of colors, but gel polish can also be applied over the top if you fancy something different.

Difference between Polygel nails and acrylic nails

One of the major differences between polygel nails and acrylic nails is that polygel doesn’t set until the technician cures it under UV light. Also, compared to acrylic nails, polygel is more flexible and has a lighter gel-like texture.

Acrylic uses polymer and monomer which create an awful stink. The nail tech only has a limited amount of time to shape the acrylic before it dries in place

Durability

The biggest advantage of acrylic nails is their durability. Acrylic nails are so strong that you can manage your nails no matter what you’re doing, without any worry of cracks, breaks, and lifting because it is so resilient.

Naomi Gonzalez Longstaff, a celebrity manicurist, compares the durability of polygel nails to acrylic nails. She says “polygel nails are among the best nail enhancements out there, with the flexibility of a gel enhancement and the longevity of acrylic nails.”

Are Polygel Nails better than Acrylic?

Like acrylic nails, polygel nails can be used to sculpt, overlay, fill in, and extend the nails, but the similarities end there. Gelish PolyGel (the original, patent-pending formula) is roughly 23 percent lighter than acrylics and 16 percent lighter than traditional hard gels, but it's just as strong. It's monomer-free, 7-free, odor-free, and doesn't create airborne dust during the application process.

Ever since I made the switch from acrylic to polygel I haven’t gone back. The polygel is even better for your nail because it doesn’t use harsh chemicals during the process or when getting removed.

Looking for?

Get Acrylics if you are really into extreme nail lengths and encapsulated glitter. Best for long – extra long nails.

Get Polygel if you want to have the best of both worlds and are looking for a natural look or a Gel Polish Design. Best for short – long nails.