Does Alcohol Make Gel Nails Shiny?
If you have gel manicures, you may have noticed your nails looking a little dull lately. A quick swipe of alcohol can bring back the shine, but is that good for your nails? Keep reading to learn whether using alcohol on gel nails to increase shine is safe and effective.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Using alcohol on gel nails can make them look shiny temporarily, but it also breaks down the gel layers over time leading to peeling and damage. It’s better to avoid alcohol and get professional gloss gel top coats or nail polishes to keep your gel manicure looking freshly done.
How Alcohol Impacts Gel Nail Shine
Removes Oils and Residue
Alcohol is often used to cleanse and remove oils, dirt, and residue from surfaces. When applied to gel nails, the alcohol can strip away some of the natural oils in the nail bed. This leaves the nails feeling dry and looking dull.
Frequent alcohol use can lead to peeling, cracking, and other damage over time.
Breaks Down Gel Layers
The ingredients in gel nail polish, like methacrylates, can be broken down by alcohol. When alcohol comes into contact with a gel manicure, it starts breaking apart the layers of product on the nails. This damage is often invisible at first but causes the shine and smoothness of the manicure to deteriorate.
Dries Out Nails
Since alcohol removes moisture, swiping it over gel nails can draw moisture out of the natural nails as well. The dehydrating effects of alcohol lead to dry, brittle nails under the gel polish. Dry nails reflect less light, taking away that desired glassy shine.
Furthermore, dry nails are more prone to cracking, increasing the chances of damage to the gel manicure.
Professional Alternatives for Shine
Gloss Gel Top Coats
Gel polish is an excellent way to get that ultra-glossy, salon-perfect shine on your nails without using alcohol-based products. Gel top coats create a smooth, glass-like finish and can last over a week without chipping or fading.
Most gel polishes applied at nail salons use a UV or LED lamp to “cure” or harden each coat on the nails. Brands like OPI, Gelish, and Shellac make professional gel top coats that professionals use to give you flawless shine.
Some of the benefits of gel top coats over traditional nail polish are:
- Extremely glossy, glass-like shine
- Durable for 7-10 days with no chipping or scratching
- Long lasting color with minimal fading
- Does not dull or smudge
- Quick drying and curing time
Gel manicures have become ubiquitous at nail salons, making up around 75% of total manicure services, according to industry surveys. Gel top coats lead to extended wear without the need for nail polish touch ups compared to traditional polishes.
While sometimes more expensive than a regular manicure, many feel the longer duration and chip-free shine is worth the investment. Gel top coats can provide that special event or vacation photo-ready shine that lasts over a week when applied properly.
Shiny Nail Polishes
Advances in technology have created at-home high shine nail polish top coats that rival what you can get at the salon. Many brands now offer polishes that claim salon-quality shine, including:
- OPI Chrome Effects – Provides a dynamic chrome finish for high fashion shine.
- Sally Hansen Miracle Gel – Patented technology provides gel-like shine and extended wear.
- Revlon Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat – Multi-dimensional sparkle top coat for brilliant shine.
- Essie Gel Couture – Up to 14 days of flawless, chip-free shine.
These shiny top coat nail polishes provide salon-caliber shine using proprietary polymers and layering technology rather than UV lamps for curing. Multiple thin coats allow nail polishes today to deliver brilliant, long-lasting shine rivaling gels.
Shiny top coats are also gentler on nails compared to gels requiring less filing and buffing during removal. Using these polishes along with a quality base coat allows even amateur nail enthusiasts to achieve eye-catching shine.
| Type | Application | Duration | Shine Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gel Polish | UV/LED lamp cured | Up to 2 weeks | Ultra high gloss |
| Shiny Nail Polish | Air dried | 5-7 days | Salon quality |
While gel manicures still have the advantage of extended wear, recent innovations in nail polish allow anyone to achieve dynamic shine from home. Using either gel top coats or products like OPI Chrome Effects give you eye-catching nails that sparkle with color-shifting brilliance.
Caring for Gel Nails
Gel nail manicures are very popular because the polish lasts for weeks without chipping or fading. But like all manicures, gel nails require some TLC between salon visits. Here are some tips for keeping your gel manicure looking fab.
Moisturize Cuticles
Your cuticles act as a seal to prevent bacteria from entering the nail bed. Keeping them healthy prevents hangnails and infections. Massage cuticle oil or petroleum jelly into the nail base and cuticles once or twice a day. Products with vitamin E, sunflower oil, and cocoa butter are nourishing.
Push back cuticles gently with an orangewood stick after softening them.
Avoid Picking at Nails
Resist the urge to pick at your gel nails, even if they start lifting at the tip. Picking can damage the nail plate or introduce bacteria. Instead, wait for your next fill appointment. Using cuticle oil should help minimize lifting and peeling between appointments.
Use Cuticle Oil
In addition to moisturizing cuticles, massaging nail oil into the underside of your gel nails helps seal the free edge to the nail plate. This helps prevent lifting and bacterial infection. Apply oil around the nails morning and night.
Look for formulas with vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, and jojoba oil. Using oil prevents your gel manicure from becoming dull too.
Get Fills Regularly
To keep gel nails in top shape, get fill appointments every 2-3 weeks. Skipping fills may compromise the health of your nails or cause lifting and chipping. Regular fill appointments allow your nail tech to maintain the best nail shape for your fingers.
They can also assess the condition of your cuticles and nails to prevent any issues.
With proper care between gel manicure appointments, you can keep your nails looking long, strong, and shiny! Avoid bad habits like nail picking and use moisturizing products to care for your cuticles and nail plate.
Getting fill appointments consistently will also maintain your gel polish perfection đź’….
Conclusion
While an alcohol wipe can make your gel manicure shine like new temporarily, it ends up doing more harm than good by breaking down the gel and drying out your nails. For best results, rely on professional shine products like gloss gel top coats and polishes specifically made to refresh gel manicure shine between salon visits.
And don’t forget occasional cuticle oil and regular fills to keep your gel looking its best!
Using alcohol may seem like a quick fix for lackluster nails, but the damage it causes over time is not worth the temporary shine boost. With some professional-grade products and consistent nail care, you can keep that fresh salon shine lasting for weeks.
