Nail extensions: types, durability and aftercare
General information on the three most common types of nail extension, so you know what to ask for and what to expect before you book.
Before you read this
This is general information about how nail extensions work, not a list of what any particular salon offers. Nail art is on The Bloom's published service list; whether a specific extension type is available is worth asking directly, which is what the close of this article is for.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a powder and liquid mixed into a bead and shaped over a nail form or a natural nail, then left to harden in the air — no lamp needed. It is the most durable of the three in everyday use, which is also why it is the hardest to remove without professional help: acrylic has to be soaked off or filed down, never picked or peeled, or the natural nail underneath comes away with it.
Gel (hard gel and gel-X / soft-tip systems)
Gel extensions are built from a gel product cured under a UV or LED lamp rather than air-dried. They tend to feel lighter and more flexible than acrylic, which some people prefer for comfort, and they generally soak off more easily at removal. The trade-off is that gel is usually a little less impact-resistant than acrylic over the same number of weeks, so it can need a fill or a repair sooner if you are hard on your hands.
Dip powder
Dip powder builds up colour and strength by dipping the nail into a pigmented powder between coats of a bonding liquid, rather than painting on a liquid gel or acrylic. It is often used as a strengthening overlay on natural nails as much as a true extension, and it is generally considered gentler to remove than acrylic, though it still needs to be soaked off rather than peeled.
How long any of them actually last
This varies by person more than by product — how much you use your hands, whether you wear gloves for cleaning and washing up, and how fast your natural nails grow all matter. As a general guide, most people need a fill every two to three weeks as the natural nail grows out underneath the extension, and a full removal and reapplication somewhat less often than that. Any of the three types lasting noticeably less than two weeks without lifting or breaking is usually worth mentioning to whoever applied them, since it can point to a preparation or application issue rather than the product itself.
Aftercare that actually extends the life of a set
Cuticle oil applied every day or two keeps both the extension and the natural nail underneath from drying out and becoming brittle at the edges, which is one of the most common causes of early lifting. Gloves for washing up and cleaning products protect against both the physical wear and the chemical exposure that weakens the bond over time. And whatever type you have, removal is a soak-off or a professional file-down — never picked or peeled off by hand, which routinely takes several layers of the natural nail with it and can take months to grow back undamaged.