Gel or semi-permanent: what difference and which manicure to choose?

Gel or semi-permanent? This is THE question that one inevitably asks before you book your manicure in the living room or crack for a home kit. We compare the two techniques to see more clearly and allow you to make the right choice, depending on your profile and your desires.

 

In short: gel or semi-permanent?

 

The freeze is the most popular solution if you want a extra long manicure (up to one month), a shiny and ultra-bulk finish. The medal is reversed: this technique requires a fairly long sitting, as does the removal at the sander, with the risks it entails for the nail.

• Semi-permanent varnish proposes a easy, easy and quick manicure routine to put and remove yourself with a l'acetone solvent. Less resistant than the gel, it nevertheless ensures a mirror shine and an intense color up to 3 weeks.
• For a easy, bright, long-lasting and risk-free manicure for nails, semi-permanent varnish Green Flash™ is the ideal alternative, to be tested urgently if already done.

 

Understanding the basics

Before making the difference between semi-permanent and gel, let's start by defining the products in question.

What is semi-permanent varnish?

The semi-permanent varnish, which appeared in the 2010s, shook the world of nail polish by promising a long-lasting manicure and as easy to pose as a classic varnish. A revolution made possible by a formula based on photosensitive and monomer resins that catalyzes under UV or LED lamp to form a hard and resistant film. Outcome: a bright color, intense shine and natural curved finish that lasts two to three weeks.

The installation is ultra simple and does not require any particular technical knowledge. The semi-permanent varnish is fluid and is placed on bare nails and prepared, in a few strokes of brush, as a traditional nail polish. The pose is done in 4 layers, each to be catalyzed under LED/UV lamp:

• 1 base layer coat
• 2 thin layers of color
• 1 layer of top coat

 

Finally, the withdrawal is done by siding, shovelling or using a solvent with acetone.

While it has many advantages that have made its success, semi-permanent varnishes also have their limits. Its intensive use can cause awareness and allergies, caused by ingredients at risk for human health, such as methylacrylate monomers (HEMA and DI-HEMA-TMHDC) and other substances classified as CMR (prohibited by EU regulations in cosmetics produced and sold in the EU). Not to mention the nail weakness caused by aggressive depositions.

Advantages and disadvantages of semi-permanent varnish:

Simple and fast lay-out and withdrawal, to do yourself
Held 2 to 3 weeks
Intense colour, glossy mirror
Acetone withdrawal
Awareness-raising risks

What is gel/acrygel?

The freezing is a thick resin that promotes above all the natural nail strengthening. The coloration is here accessory. Its viscosity allows to work on the structure for masking imperfections and to bring volume and length with nail extensions for example. Gel nails offer resistance up to 4 weeks, much superior to semi-permanent varnish. An ideal choice when you want to stop eating your nails or protect your nails broken or damaged while wearing a perfect manicure.

The technique of gel nail laying is longer and more complex, and is most often done in the living room by one or more nail prothesist. Gel manicure is done in 3 steps :

• Laying a base gel
• Modeling of construction gel
• Finish with a finish gel

 

Some gels combine the 3 phases into a single product. The different layers are dried under UV/LED lamp for construction gels or in open air for acrylic gels.

The withdrawal is one of the weak points of UV gels. Some UV soap off gels withdraw with a solvent based on acetone. As for most gels, deposit is usually made at the electric or nail file sander, which can damage the nail plate permanently. Finally, gel formulas are essentially composed of ingredients derived from petrochemicals which, in the case of frequent application, may cause allergic sensitization and/or reactions.

Advantages and disadvantages of freezing:

Held 3 to 4 weeks
Intense gloss, curved effect, nail sheathing
Placement and withdrawal in institute
Removal at the sander
Awareness-raising risks

Comparative: nail hold, strength and effects

 

Criteria	Varnish semi-permanent	Gel/Acrygel	Green Flash™
🌿Ingredients	Resins, monomers or polymers, pigments, photo-initiators (components derived from petrochemicals)	Resins, polymers, pigments, photo-initiators (components derived from petrochemicals)	Copolymers, pigments, resins and photoinitiators (bio-sourced ingredients up to 84%)
⏱️Duration of installation	30 to 45 min depending on lamp power	2h and +	30 to 45 min depending on lamp power
📅Duration of manicure	2-3 weeks	3-4 weeks	12 days (routine Green Flash™ ) / 21 days (routine) Xtrem Flash™ )
🍃Withdrawal	Dissolve with acetone in 10-15 min per hand	Sanding or lignement in 10 min per hand, acetone for soap off gels	Green Flash™ : 1 to 2 min per hand, without sanding or acetone Xtrem Flash™ : 10 min per hand, without sanding or acetone
✨Made	Natural shade, intense shine and colour	Amplified bomb, possible extensions, extreme shine	Natural shade, intense colour and shine
🛡️Risks For nails	Drying cuticles with acetone, sensitization or allergies	Plate alteration by image/spinning, de-drying of cuticles with acetone, sensitization or allergies	0 risk with Green Flash™ - I'm not.

 

 

Which technique best suits your needs?

Short and healthy nails: the semi-permanent

Do you have short nails in good health and especially want to enjoy a nice bright color that holds in time? Semi-permanent varnish is your best option. Applied on natural and prepared nails, it allows the sublimate without seeking to change its length or shape. It is therefore the perfect match if your lens is above all a colored, resistant and glossy finish manicure, while maintaining a relatively natural result.

Fragile nails or longing: gel

Are you dreaming of getting longer or changing the shape of your nails? That's where the manicure gel stands out. Unlike the semi-permanent varnish, the gel allows for build and shape nail to get a length or architecture which would not be possible with the natural plate alone.

If you have any soft or brittle nails on which the varnishes splinter within a few days or that you want to space your manicure sessions to the maximum, gel / acrygel is an option to consider for coat your nails and protect them during regrowth. However, if your nails are particularly weakened, the best is to strengthen them with the help of a care for the proper care before considering any new installation.

Fast session or small budget: the semi-permanent

Do you like to change color regularly or are you looking for an easy manicure to integrate into a busy schedule? Between freezing or semi-permanent, the latter is usually the simplest solution when priority is speed.

The pose does not require no special technique : a careful preparation, a base, a color and a top coat that is catalyzed under lamp and hop, the trick is played. The protocol is therefore more accessible to be realized at home with the appropriate equipment, without having to pass into the hands of a nail prosthetist.

Budget side, the semi-permanent can also be interesting for those who wish to become self-sufficient. With a semi-permanent kit complete, including the lamp and the essentials of routine, one can multiply manicures at home without ruining. A quick and profitable investment!

Green Flash™ , the soft alternative to gel and semi-permanent

For a simple and respectful manicure experience, choose the LED varnish Green Flash™. He has everything to seduce the nail addictives who want to change colour easily, without compromise on the performance of the varnish, or on the care of the nails. Its assets:

• One vegan and bio-based formula up to 84%.
• More than 100 colors different varnishes.
• One glossy gel effect.
• The KeraHCE+ patented technology which strengthens the nail under the color.
• Impeccable outfit up to 12 days.
• One withdrawal in less than one minute, in peel-off, without sanding or acetone. 

 

Result : from the first use, 96% of users find their harder nails and 88% find them more beautiful and better protected (clinical dermatological study conducted on a panel of 26 people).

And for those who want a long-lasting manicure without going through the gel box, there is the solution Green Flash™ x Top coat Xtrem Flash™. This manicure Xtrem Flash™ guarantees:

• Extreme shine.
• A curved effect Freeze.
• Perfect resistance up to 21 days.
• One gentle withdrawal No risk to nails.

 

The results of the clinical test conducted by Manucurist under dermatological control on a panel of 26 people validate performances comparable to freezing without the disadvantages:

• From the moment of installation, 100% of users observe a gloss mirror and 85% the frost effect.
• After 21 days, 85% note a Extreme resistance, 85% find the Easy and soft withdrawal and 88% find their strong nails after removal.

 

 

To make the difference between gel and semi-permanent, know that if you are looking for a simple, quick to put and remove manicure at home, semi-permanent varnish will be your best ally. However, if you prefer an ultra-long wear, intense shine and a sharp curved effect, with the addition of a nail reinforcement, gel will be the most suitable technique for your needs. Finally, if you want the best of both worlds, that is, a high-end manicure, safe, easy and durable, the Green Flash™ LED varnish is made for you. Let yourself flash by Green Flash™ and discover the manicure lifestyle and wellness experience Made by Manucurist.