Let’s; sometimes, you feel like a deer in the headlights when learning about advanced nail enhancement products that require experience and nail technician skills, besides the nail instructor talking all kinds of words when you’ve no idea what they mean. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of Polygel and help recognize the differences between acrylic and gel nails.

What Is Polygel?

Polygel nails are a newcomer to the beauty industry, with many questioning what makes them so different from the previous two options. Polygel is essentially the lovechild of acrylic and gel, combining their good qualities but leaving out all the bad stuff.

Polygel Application

Polygel can be applied as an overlay on your natural nails or as a nail enhancement. It is still cured under UV light but much lighter than gel and acrylic nails. It also has a much more delicate fragrance, which is excellent for people that like the look of acrylics but can’t stand the smell! In removing Polygel nails, the polish is buffed off rather than soaked off. However, the remaining polish can be soaked if needed. Polygel is available in various colors, but gel polish can also be applied over the top if you fancy something different.

Why Use Polygel?

1. The liquid used to sculpt PolyGel is called Slip — the slip potters inspired the name used when working with clay. Slip is not a monomer; it has no active ingredients, and unlike acrylic monomer, it has a light, pleasant fragrance. It’s used to make the PolyGel easy to shape.
2. Unlike hard gel, PolyGel is not self-leveling but stays where you place it; unlike acrylic, it doesn’t harden until cured in an LED or UV lamp.
3. Cure time is about 30 seconds in an LED lamp or two minutes in a UV lamp. PolyGel nails do not experience heat spikes during curing. There is no tacky layer after curing.
4. PolyGel is more flexible than acrylic, more substantial than hard gel, and lighter than both, according to Gelish.
5. The product can be applied as an overlay over natural nails, a tip overlay, or sculpted over a form.
6. It’s available in six colors: bright white, natural clear, soft white, soft pink, dark pink, and cover pink.
7. Gel-polish colors can be applied over the product, and Gelish can be mixed with PolyGel to create a design.
8. Natural nail prep is the same as prep for gel. Nail techs can use an e-file or a hand file to shape the product.
9. The product should be filed off, not soaked off. Nail techs can soak to remove the remaining product after filing.
10. PolyGel nails can be rebalanced the same way acrylic or gel nails are rebalanced.

Credits to Entity for simplifying the foundation and benefits of a Polygel supply. If you are still curious what are the main differences between Polygel and nail acrylics and find more extensive information about Polygel for nail technicians

Polygel Benefits

• The pro-hybrid gel conquers the complexities of hard gel and acrylics in a simple, premixed tube.
• LED/UV formula perfect for overlays and extensions, with an uncomplicated application.
• Polygel doesn’t have a monomer odor, and excess dust doesn’t sacrifice strength or stability.
• A unique formula that stays in place and moves when you need it moved.
• Self-leveling properties that assist in effortless application.

Polygel Features

• Be completely in control of this self-leveling system.
• Polygel is made for professionals, perfect for beginners.
• Combined benefits of hard gel and acrylic.
• Lightweight formula that is strong.
• Dispensing and application are made easy with direct application to the nail from the tube.
• Squeeze a small amount on the nail and use the Control Solution to move.
• With light self-leveling properties, Control Gel assists in an effortless application.
• Moves and cures on command, so you can play and move.
• Complete with Intense Seal and cure for advised time.

How To Make A Perfect Polygel Application

We believe every nail professional should be able to expand their Polygel services and cater to all clients and nail preferences while growing the salon’s business. Follow these steps in the exact order for outstanding Polygel results on nails.

Two WaysPolygel nails are surprisingly easy to do, regardless of skill level. Of course, some applications are more straightforward than others, so it’s essential to know the different ways to apply them.1. Dual FormThe preferred method to apply polygel nails on natural nails is with polygel dual forms. Dual forms are effortless and perfect for beginners as they require zero sculpting. Prep Your Natural NailsPrepping is always the first step to any application, whether you’re settling for gel polish or creating Instagram-worthy polyols. To prep, push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher and use a nail file to achieve your ideal shape and remove shininess. Please give them a wipe with a bit of rubbing alcohol, acetone nail polish remover, or another nail surface cleaner to remove dust, excess oil, dirt, and grime. Apply Primer and a BaseFollow with a bit of primer/nail dehydrator and a base coat to help the dual forms stick more readily. Find the Right Size Polygel Nail Dual FormsThe best polygel nail kits will come in different sizes. Find the dimensions that fit your nail bed. It’s okay if they are slightly wider. Add the Polygel to the Nail FormsStart by adding a dot of polygel to the dual form. Dip your polygel brush in a slip solution, then spread the polygel across the nails.

Apply Dual Forms to the Natural nail once prepped; apply the dual forms to your natural nails. Push on them gently to ensure they fully adhere to the nails. Place your fingernails under a UV lamp for 60 seconds. Remove Dual Forms, File, and ShapeAfter curing, remove fingernails from under the lamp and remove the nail form. Viola! Gorgeous nails with little to no work on your behalf. All left is for you to use your nail file to shape the edges to your liking. Apply a Gel Polish Top CoatFinish off with gel polish. Remember to cure the whole nail under your UV lamp for 60 seconds to make sure it becomes a hard gel ready to be used.2. FreehandApplying freehand polygel nails on top of your natural nail requires a bit more skill and practice, but the results are in the table.

Prep and PrimeMuch as polygel application method number one, you will need to start by prepping and priming your nails. Push back your cuticles and use a nail file to reach your desired shape and length. Then, swipe some nail cleaner over them, such as rubbing alcohol. Apply your primer and a base coat to the entire nail, then cure for 60 seconds. Apply the Polygel to the NailWhen applying polygel freehand, it’s essential to have a two-sided metal tool with a spatula and brush on the other. Get a pea-sized amount of light pink polygel on the spatula side and drop it onto your nail. Then, dip the brush in a slip solution and create the polygel pin. Since the polygel has a putty-like consistency, you can shape your polygel manicures, including an ultra-long, sculpted extension. You may need to dip the brush in more slip solution while sculpting. Cure and Shape NailsOnce you’re satisfied with the appearance of your nail tips, cure your fingernails underneath the UV light for 60 seconds. Use a regular nail file to eliminate any unwanted rough or uneven areas on the nail plate. Finish with a Gel Top Coat and cure the final step in your gel manicure is to apply gel nail polish to the top of your nail tips. You can decide on matte or glossy finishes. Apply the preferred top coat and cure under the LED light for 60 seconds (although 120 seconds is ideal).

Polygel Fall-Off Troubleshooting

Polygel isn’t supposed to fall off, and it’s not supposed to come off without filing it off. The main reason it could be coming off because not proper prep. If they are popping from the back, then it’s probably improper prep or application. If it’s from the free edge, your nails might be slightly too soft.

Comment below if you have any specific questions regarding Golygel.

World’s Top Polygel Manufacturer Brands

The most popular Polygel sold in the beauty wholesale market are Gelish, IBD, and Entity. Check below the most recent kits in Canada. View all polygel products.

Give your clients a natural-looking extended set using #ibdcontrolgel. Watch the entire tutorial on @ibdbeauty’s IGTV. Control Gel is available at Nails R Us, the beauty warehouse distributor in Toronto.