Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.

Gel nails are essentially nail enhancements in which faux nails are applied over the natural nails. They can cover the whole nail, or they can be applied to the nail tip as extensions. Gel polish, on the other hand, is a nail polish made with gel. It goes directly on the natural nail.

Regular nail polish air-dries over time and can take up to 30 minutes or more to fully dry. Gel nails, on the other hand, require a UV/LED lamp to cure. Depending on the strength of the lamp, it takes only a few minutes to cure the gel, resulting in a more durable and resistant surface.

Does it matter what gel nail polish brand you use? Quality will obviously differ between gel polish brands, so it's important to choose a good quality brand for the best results. Quality can range from long-lasting shine to chip resistance, so it's research your options before buying.