Nail reconstruction: add a manicure to your wish list
Today we will talk above all about the gel reconstruction, which is the most used technique among the various available. The duration and cost of the intervention vary according to the characteristics of the nail. We will also take a step back in history and discover the latest news. In the meantime, add some more ideas to your wish list and watch the video to discover the latest trends and news in the field of nail art!
Gel nails reconstruction: what it is
Gel reconstruction is a technique with which we can cover and lengthen our natural fingernails and toenails with a monophasic or triphasic gel product. It is not simply a matter of applying false nails (the famous plastic or acrylic nail tips) or the simple application of gel polish.
Thanks to the gel reconstruction, we will have natural nails and a perfect manicure for 3-4 weeks without having to worry about using acetone and nail polish every 2-3 days. Furthermore, the gel has a greater resistance than semi-permanent nail polish.
Reconstruction can be really helpful for those suffering from nail fungus, nail biting (that is, they tend to bite their nails) or for those with brittle nails, which chip and break easily. In this way, the damaged natural nail can be rebuilt, which in the meantime becomes more resistant under the gel.
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Nail reconstruction: when, where and why it was born
Nail reconstruction was born in the United States of America in the early 1950s just as a remedy for nail biting. In 1955 a dentist, Fred Slack, starting from a product for the teeth, was able to develop a particular type of resin for the nails. of his wife, who suffered from nail biting The resin allowed the underlying natural nail to grow.
Soon, the incredible news spread to America, also conquering Hollywood divas, first of all Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe who, it is said, suffered from nail biting.
From the resin we then moved on to acrylic, a very intense smelling product based on very viscous powders (resins), which continues to be used even today but to a much lesser extent. Acrylic, in fact, requires very fast processing and application on the nail because the material immediately begins to harden in the air, becoming very rigid.
Nail reconstruction: each product has its own characteristics
Today acrylic has been almost entirely supplanted by gel, because it is a more malleable and flexible product, so its processing on the nail is much easier, and it dries with the help of a UV or LED lamp. There is also another nail reconstruction technique that is spreading right now: fiberglass (literally fiberglass, but in reality it is silk or linen). This is not new because it was born in the seventies, before the gel. Marilyn Monroe was among the first to use it. At the time, however, it was not successful because it was not very durable and resistant, but over the years, after various studies and research, this technique has been relaunched today and is spreading as a valid alternative to acrylic and gel. Compared to these it is fast and does not require the use of a UV or LED lamp for drying. It is suitable for those who have healthy starting nails, not too damaged, because it is necessary that there is enough space to spread the fiberglass on the nail surface.
In any case, it is fundamental for the success of a nail reconstruction to contact professionals, beauty centers or nail technicians, who use quality products.
But what are the phases of a gel nail reconstruction? We will find out soon.
Gel nails reconstruction: the various steps
Preparation of the nail
Before applying the gel, first remove all traces of gel, top coat, colored or semi-permanent nail polish from the surface of the natural nail with a file or solvent, possibly without acetone. All cuticles are then removed. This is a delicate phase, in which slight bleeding can occur: this is why it is important that the beautician use properly sterilized and disinfected tools.
The surface of the nail is then roughened and opaque with a file. This is a very important phase, because the nail thus becomes perfectly dry, porous and predisposed to effectively capture the product that will be applied later.
The nail surface is then further dried with a cotton swab soaked in nail cleaner, a specific liquid for cleaning.
Nail extension: the techniques
At this point of the nail reconstruction, there are three techniques for applying the builder gel.
The first involves a nail extension with tip, i.e. supports with a predefined shape that are applied with a little glue to natural nails. Based on our preferences, the beautician or nail technician will give our nails the desired shape and length with the file.
The second technique for nail reconstruction uses adhesive millimeter papers that are applied below the free edge of the nail. They are disposable graph papers that allow you to create a base on which to apply the gel based on the length and shape we want to give to our nails.
The third is the simple natural nail cover and is suitable for those who already have nails of the desired length.
There is also a specific treatment for those suffering from nail biting, which consists in creating a sort of bridge that reconstructs the missing part of the nail.
Gel application and drying with UV or LED lamp
After applying a thin layer of primer on natural nails, the beautician will begin the reconstruction by applying a layer of builder gel with a brush starting from the center of the nail.
For the builder gel to dry and adhere well to the nail surface, UV and LED lamps are used for drying.
Once this phase is completed, we move on to the phase of filing and defining the crown of the nail, to give it a natural shape. In the case of using maps, these will be removed. Any residual gel dispersion will then be removed from the gel nails with the nail cleaner and, with the file, it will be given the desired shape and length.
Application of gel polish and nail art decorations
At this point of the nail reconstruction, we can choose which color or colors of nail polish to apply to our new gel nails and whether to embellish them with decorations or French.
To look for inspiration, just search Instagram #nailart: an endless list of multi-colored photos will appear, with a thousand ideas to inspire you, many different and colorful styles, from the most classic to those with the most flamboyant colors and the most elaborate designs.
Finally, the beautician will finish everything with the drafting of a top coat to keep the nail polish brighter for longer.
Learn with DIY kits and the professional course
In general, gel nails require a good dose of dexterity and practice to be done. Professional work will rarely disappoint us, but if you want to challenge yourself, why not do it? Buy a kit with all the products, the necessary accessories and the UV or LED lamp: with a little practice, even the less experienced can learn. For a good kit, you will have to spend around 50 euros. In the kit, in addition to the UV or LED lamp, you will find many accessories: single-phase and colored UV builder gels, cellulose wipes pads, papers or tips, nail cleaner, brush, file, cleaning brush, wooden sticks and cuticle oil .
If you try it yourself, you may discover a new passion that could become your new job. If you want to start practicing it professionally, sign up for a course, starting from the basic to get to the advanced one.
Gel or acrylic nail design: is it bad for natural nails?
To ensure that nail reconstruction does not cause rare but unpleasant problems, such as allergies, dermatitis or infections, the gel used must be a quality product, free from substances harmful to health, such as certain acrylates.
If you have very fragile nails, carefully consider whether to do the gel or acrylic reconstruction because in some cases it could accentuate the problem.
In particular, after three or four weeks, the gel will certainly begin to peel off starting from the edges of the nail. By completely removing the gel that remains attached, thin streaks may appear on the natural nail, which in any case will disappear within a few weeks.
Natural nails may also appear a little thinner and weaker: in this case, it is better to let them "breathe" a little before doing another gel or acrylic reconstruction. Green light here for moisturizing and remineralizing treatments. It is generally recommended to keep the gel for no more than 4 consecutive months.
Finally, for your nail reconstruction, always contact beauty or specialized centers or true professionals, who use, in addition to quality products, also safe and disinfected tools.
We must be wary of those who apply prices that are too low: almost certainly the product used is of low quality.
The cost for a gel nail reconstruction ranges from 30-40 euros to even 80 euros including retouching, which varies from 20 to 30 euros per session. If you add nail art interventions the price obviously increases.
Nail reconstruction: some disadvantages
We have listed all the advantages of gel nails at the beginning of the article. However, there are some considerations to make. It is definitely not the best alternative for those who like to change the color or shape of their nails often.
In addition, it requires having to go back to the beautician for touch-up, since the natural nail under the gel continues to grow. It can also happen that the gel splinters, breaks or peels off completely. All this involves further expenditure of time and money.
Although gel nails are very resistant, they still require a minimum of care: if you do housework, always wear gloves.
Nevertheless, if having perfect hands has been on your wish list for some time, don't be held back by the idea of ruining your nails: it's worth a try. What are you waiting for? Book your appointment!
