What’s the difference between acrylic & gel?
By Katie Barnes | 01 September 2022 | Expert Advice, Feature
The word ‘gel’ lends itself to confusion because it describes the product’s physical state, but over time it has turned into a generic name of the product category.
Whereas ‘acrylic’ is a two-part system of liquid and powder, often known as L&P. Where the powder in this two-part system has already been polymerised to its full extent, gel is a similar product whereby the monomers and oligomers (strings of monomers) stay in a semi-liquid/semi-solid state because it hasn’t yet polymerised. Just think of gel as pre-mixed acrylic.
Acrylics are part of a family of monomers and/or oligomers and polymers used to create nail enhancement products, including L&P and all gel products including builder gel in a bottle, builder gels, hard gels, soft gels and gel polish. Wraps and tip adhesives are in the cyanoacrylates category of the acrylic family.
What makes up each product?
Gel
Pre-mixed semi-solid monomers and oligomers that are hardened to polymers when exposed to UVA light.
Monomer
More commonly known as ‘nail liquid’. A monomer is a molecule, which binds to other molecules to form a polymer. Nail liquid is a monomer made mostly of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and sometimes also includes other monomers and additives. Monomer often has a purple tone to it, which contains UV Inhibitors and helps to prevent the acrylic from yellowing.
Polymer
More commonly known as ‘nail powder’. It is synthetic and consists of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers.
Co-Polymer
Polymers that are made of two or more different types of monomers. A mix percent of ethyl (soft) and poly – methyl (hard) methacrylate monomers.
How do these products dry?
L&P
Cures with a free radical reaction when the peroxide in the powder is exposed to the reactive monomer in the liquid.
Gel
Cures with a free radical reaction when the photo-initiator in the resin reacts with the wavelengths emitted by a UV or LED lamp.
How are the ingredients made?
Petroleum is the raw ingredient used to create both liquid & powder. Both liquid & powder begin as a liquid monomer.
Liquid
The liquid is prepared and synthesised from the petroleum.
Powder
During manufacturing, the monomer is placed in a large mixer, where it is diluted with water. As monomer is hydrophobic (doesn’t like water), it does not dissolve but remains suspended as tiny beads. While mixing rapidly, the initiator and catalyst are added, making the liquid monomer convert to polymer. The water is drained away, the beads dried, and additives such as pigments are added.
Contrary to popular belief, especially with some newer products such as builder gels launched on the market, neither product nor sub product is more superior to the other – each will benefit different clients in different ways. When making the decision of product choice the tech should consider the client’s lifestyle, nail condition along with their preference.
Love Katie B xx