Shellac Gel Manicure: Worth the extra cost?

The evolution of manicures and all that epitomizes nail care began back in ancient Egypt and has made it through centuries and centuries completely revamped, but are these modern nail services offered today really worth the buck?

Manicures used to consist of a simple nitrocellulose based polish back in the 1930s but with each decade that passed a new type of nail service would emerge. Most notably today would be the Shellac gel manicure, which has a lot of people talking.

Photo credit: All Lacquered Up

For double the price of a basic manicure, Shellac’s gel manicure begins with a base polish and then 10 seconds under an ultra-violet light, followed by more coats of the Shellac gel polish and then a few more stops under the ultra-violet light to dry. The process finishes with a swipe of acetone over the nails.



The real allure with this nail service is that it promises not only stronger and healthier nails but also a 14 day manicure. 

Over all, it sounds like a pretty simple process but according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day, "Every time you're exposed to UV light, there’s damage to the skin. And enough damage over time can become problematic.”

A few cases of hand cancer have even been reported involving the questionable Shellac gel manicure.



Shellac may sound like a means to an end when it comes to chipping manicures but Connie Thompson from Komo News said, “Shellac is not for everyone. Your natural nails and nail beds must be healthy. If they're splitting, peeling or damaged from using acrylic or gel enhancements, experts say you should wait and talk to a licensed, trained nail care professional.”



Shellac’s gel manicure promises a two week untouched-looking manicure, but consider all your options before jumping into the newest craze on the nail market. After all, who knows what’s going to hit the market next.



Nathalie Anaya