Although similar in application, gel and lacquer are different mediums. Gel polish is placed under a lamp to help build a strong, sturdy material, while lacquer is a quick-drying air-dried nail polish.

Acrylates are the reason that gel nail polish hardens in seconds. When these tiny chemicals are exposed to UV light, they join together to create acrylate polymers, or larger, bonded collections of molecules. It's the formation of these bonds that harden or “cure” the product.