Beautiful nails don’t come easy… usually. Gel manicures are an amazing tool to use in order to achieve a flawless set of nails that lasts for weeks without needing to go through the hassle of using acrylics. Still, even gel manicures can take up to an hour in a salon, which can occupy a huge chunk of your busy schedule.
Still, we can’t deny gel manicures are really convenient. Looking at a shiny set of nails that won’t chip easily never fails to bring a smile to your face. With such an amazing result, the only thing missing from gel manicures is a faster solution.
Enter: semicured gel nail strips! What are gel nail strips, you may ask? They are your new best friend for keeping your nail game on point. Like nail wraps, semicured gel nail strips come pre-painted with an adhesive backing. Just stick, trim to fit your nail, then cure, and you’ll have a perfect mani in a minute!
Still… it may sound too good to be true. When it comes to health risks, are semicured gel nail strips bad for you? In general, the best semicured gel nail strips in the industry, like those we offer at Self Care Beauty, are completely safe, especially when you buy toxin-free strips. There are a lot of gel nail strips on the market, so it is important to do your research to ensure the gel nail strips you purchase are safe.
A Brief Introduction to Gel Nail Strips
Let’s look closer at how gel nail strips work to revolutionize your manicures. Gel nail strips are pre-painted with gel polish, and they fit with adhesives on the back. Since we’ve done the hard part of carefully applying nail polish for you, you can peel the strip, place it onto your nails, and quickly cure them.
What would require an hour of your time and some awkward conversation at the nail salon can instead be done at home for a fraction of your time and money! If you’re a fan of fancy designs, you, too can skip the salon! Gel nail strips can also come with pre-painted nail art, perfect if you love switching your manicures up on a weekly basis.
Are Gel Nail Strips Bad For You?
Gel nail strips are a faster alternative than the salon, but your health is also important. Are gel nail strips bad for you? The highest quality gel nail strips are usually safe, especially when they are missing toxins common to most nail polishes, such as formaldehyde.
Lesser quality gel nail strips can pose a hidden danger, though. Harsh chemicals are more likely to spark a reaction, possibly leading to skin irritation and damage to your nails. Gel manicures should take your nails to the next level rather than making you sick!
Why Some Semicured Gel Nail Strips Are Bad For You
As the saying goes, beauty is pain, but it doesn’t have to be that way regarding semicured gel manicures.
Most gel polishes on the market are jam-packed with a nasty cocktail of harmful chemicals. Here’s just a small sample of dangerous ingredients found in most polishes:
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen used as a preservative in most nail polishes. Formaldehyde is notorious for causing skin and eye irritation and breathing issues.
- Dibutyl phthalate: Dibutyl phthalate is a plasticizer that has been linked to reproductive problems, as well as liver and kidney damage.
- Toluene: Toluene is a solvent that can be absorbed either through your skin or breathing, leading to nervous system damage, headaches, and respiratory problems.
Nearly every one of the “14” toxic chemicals found in nail polish also harms the environment. These toxins can enter the soil or the water supply, and they can end up harming the ecosystem just as much as they can harm you.
While gel nail strips made without the “14” toxic chemicals are much safer, there is always a small risk of allergic reactions with any cosmetic, so we recommend testing gel nail strips first before applying them all. Another thing to remember is that gel polish must be cured under UV light, so applying sunscreen or similar protection to your hands is a great idea when working with gel.
Not All Gel Nail Strips Are Bad For You, Though…
Talking about toxic chemicals can be a real bummer, but there’s good news! Safe semicred gel nail strips exist, especially when you buy from a reputable brand that won’t cut costs by involving harmful chemicals.
Tips for Staying Safe With Natural, Stunning Semicured Gel Nail Strips
So, are gel nail strips bad for you? When you choose the right manufacturer, they are even safer than standard gel manicures!
There are a few tricks to ensure you stay safe when working with gel nail strips. We’ll go over a few and even help you figure out how to make gel nails last longer with the help of gel nail strips.
Always Check the Ingredients Label
The ingredients in your nail polish can be the difference between fabulous nails that will never let you down and a trip to the doctor’s office. While some polishes are “3 free” or 5 free”, covering some of the dangerous chemicals on the market, the best way to ensure you are safe is to opt for vegan, cruelty-free products. If you see “14 free” on the label, you’ll know you’re buying a quality product that won’t disappoint you.
Research the Brand’s Reputation
Many cosmetics brands on the market can talk a good talk. It’s easy for a brand to claim its products are ‘safe’ without backing them up. Researching a brand’s background, from its history to reviews from its customers, is critical to ensuring you can rock amazing gel manicures safely.
Tips for Safely Applying/Removing Semicured Gel Nail Strips
Applying semicured gel nail strips properly can make or break the results of your manicure. Thankfully, the entire process is simple, and you’ll have the wonderful manicure of your dreams in just minutes!
The process begins with a clean nail, preferably with a base coat. You will then peel the adhesive and place it on your nail, but be sure to smooth it over the surface of your nail to avoid any uneven spots. From there, trim the strip to fit your nail, and cure under UV light to finish!
The entire process is simple, but mistakes happen. Don’t be afraid to start anew if your first try doesn’t work out, as the improper application can lead to less-than-ideal results.
Wrapping Up Our Conversation on Whether or Not Semicured Gel Nail Strips are Bad For You
Gel nail strips are a marvellous little tool to turn hour-long, wallet-breaking days in the nail salon into a fun, five-minute activity you can do at home. With semicured gel nail strips, you can easily rock a gel manicure for weeks without breaking the bank or change your nails on a whim!
Still, not every semicured gel nail strip is safe. Be sure to read the ingredients on any gel nail strips you find, and do your research on the brand’s background. Choosing a vegan, cruelty-free brand that avoids harmful chemicals, like Self Care Beauty Nail Gellies, is vital to ensuring you stay safe while rocking a gorgeous new manicure!