At Nail Order we take quite an unusual stance when it comes to builder gel… we do not believe that it should be used to extend the nail categorically. By that we mean, not specifically to our products, but we do not believe that soak-off builder gels are suitable for creating an extension.
It’s first important to point out that when we are referring to “Builder Gel” we are referring to soak-off gels. In countries such as the USA, Hard Gel is often referred to as “Builder Gel” and we believe that this may be where part of the idea of creating length with builder gels may have come from.
Why do we believe that builder gel should not be used to create length?
- Cure Thickness
All gels have varying cure thicknesses, as an example the cure thickness of our AnGel builder gel is approximately 1mm which is pretty average for the industry. What we mean by this is that no layer should be applied any thicker than 1mm. The thickness at which gel needs to be applied to create long and strong extensions, we believe, is vastly more than this (especially if building a high apex). As a result nail technicians may be applying gel in thicker layers than it can cure, this can mean leaving uncured monomers on the nail which can be absorbed into the skin and possibly lead to an allergy developing over time from overexposure to the uncured monomers. In vast contrast, a product such as Dura Gel hard gel has a cure thickness of approximately double AnGel and would be a much more suitable product to extend nails.
- Structural Integrity:
Soak-off gels are formulated to be softer and more flexible to allow for easy removal. This flexibility makes them less suitable for creating strong, durable nail extensions. Over time, the extensions made with soak-off gel can become brittle and more prone to breaking or cracking under pressure .
- Durability:
Hard gels are specifically designed to provide the strength and support needed for nail extensions. These gels cure to a harder finish, offering better support for longer nails. Soak-off gels, on the other hand, do not offer the same level of durability, making them less ideal for extending the length of nails .
In conclusion we feel that there are many other, more suitable options for extending nails rather than builder gel, such as hard gel or full cover tips.