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Acrylic nails

Acrylic nails are made from a liquid (the monomer) and a powder (the polymer), mixed into a paste that hardens in air. The paste is brushed over your own nail, or over a tip or form, to add length.

No lamp, but fills

Acrylic needs no lamp. As your nail grows, the gap at the cuticle is filled every two to three weeks, the AAD says.

How to remove acrylic nails

The AAD says to soak them in acetone or file them off; Who What Wear says acrylic needs to be filed off. With the sources split, ask the salon that did them.

What dermatologists warn about

  • Thinner nails: the natural nail is filed rough so acrylic sticks, and the AAD says that thins and weakens it.
  • Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails, the AAD adds.
  • Allergy: people allergic to acrylic monomers can get an itchy rash, often first on the eyelids, Cleveland Clinic says.
  • MMA: the FDA took products with 100% methyl methacrylate monomer off the market in the 1970s through court action, yet no rule specifically bans MMA in cosmetics.
  • Gel instead: the AAD suggests soak-off gel, because gel is more flexible.

Salon or home

Mainly a salon service. Home acrylic kits exist, from brands such as Kiara Sky and Modelones.

Acrylic on Polishpedia

An old head-to-head of Shellac and acrylic, a floral acrylic design and a KISS acrylic kit.

Shellac Manicure vs Acrylic Nails

Acrylic Floral Nails Design

Kiss Acrylic Nails

Try a length and shape on a drawn hand before you sit down, then find a nail salon near you and ask about acrylic.

✦ Try a look on a hand

Find a nail salon near you

Nail types

Every nail type, explained.

Gel, builder gel, Gel-X, dip, acrylic: what each one is, how it goes on and how it comes off.

Gel polishThe everyday salon manicure: color that sets hard under a lamp.
Adds length
No
Lamp
Yes
Comes off
Acetone soak
ShellacCND’s own brand of gel polish, the name many people still use for gel.
Adds length
No
Lamp
Yes
Comes off
Acetone soak
Builder gel (BIAB)A thicker gel that strengthens your own nail and gets filled in.
Adds length
Mostly no
Lamp
Yes
Comes off
Usually soaked off
Hard gelGel from a pot for sculpted length or a tough overlay.
Adds length
Yes
Lamp
Yes
Comes off
Filed off
Gel-XReady-made soft gel tips put on with gel: length in one visit.
Adds length
Yes
Lamp
Yes
Comes off
Acetone soak
PolygelA putty-like gel shaped by hand, then cured.
Adds length
Yes
Lamp
Yes
Comes off
Filed down
AcrylicLiquid and powder built into a hard nail; the classic for length.
Adds length
Yes
Lamp
No
Comes off
Filed or soaked off
Dip powderColored powder set with an activator instead of a lamp.
Adds length
No
Lamp
Usually no
Comes off
100% acetone
Press-onsReady-made nails you put on at home, or salon-made custom sets.
Adds length
Yes
Lamp
No
Comes off
Acetone soak
Strips & wrapsPeel-and-stick polish, semi-cured gel strips, salon silk wraps.
Adds length
No
Lamp
Gel only
Comes off
Lifted off
Nail polishRegular and long-wear lacquer that air-dries.
Adds length
No
Lamp
No
Comes off
Polish remover

Compare every type

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