There are a lot of different products on the market for taking care of your nails, and it can be tough to know which one is right for you. Polygel is a popular option for building nail extensions, but you might be wondering if it has a strong smell. You’re not alone! Many people are curious about this popular nail product.
Let’s find out — does polygel smell? And if so, how strong the odor is.
Polygel nail extensions are a popular type of manicure that can last up to 3-4 weeks.
They are created by applying polygel to natural nails using dual forms or paper/foil forms and are cured under a UV or LED light.
While polygel nails are known for their durability, some people may avoid them because they are concerned about their smell and safety.
One worry is that this material may release harmful chemicals into the air, causing respiratory problems.
So, does polygel smell?
The short answer is no.
Polygel is smell-free and is very safe to use.
It’s pretty much odorless and doesn’t release any harmful chemicals into the air.
In fact, good-quality polygel, like Gelish, Makartt, or Modelones, is less smelly than regular lacquer or gel nail polish.
You can also read my guides on polygel safety and its ingredients.
So, if you’re worried about the safety of polygel, you can rest assured that it’s actually super-safe and is probably the safest nail extension material on the market.
However, some slip solutions that are necessary for sculpting polygel nails and moving the material around can have a strong smell of alcohol, while others are relatively scent-free.
Plus, some nail prep products you use during the application process can also be quite smelly, such as nail primer, for example.
What is polygel?
Polygel is a blend of builder gel with acrylic powder that is used to extend the length of natural nails.
Polygel is applied to the natural nail or nail tip and then cured under a UV or LED lamp.
It looks like a thick paste that you need to squeeze out of a tube. Then you apply it to a dual form or a paper/foil form and shape it to the desired length.
Polygel is available in clear, pink, and other colors.
You can use it to create beautiful nail art designs.
Polygel is a pretty new product on the market and is a great alternative to acrylic nails.
Polygel nails are strong and durable, and you can shape and file them just like acrylic nails.
The process of getting acrylic nails can be more tedious and time-consuming.
Not to mention, the smell of the chemicals can be quite overwhelming for some people.
Polygel for nails is a great alternative for people that want the look of acrylic nails without having to deal with the strong smell.
Is polygel odorless?
Yes, polygel doesn’t smell. It’s pretty much odorless or has a very weak scent.
Many people think that because polygel is made of chemicals, it must have a strong smell.
However, the chemicals used in gel nail polish are non-toxic and odor-free.
Any smell you may feel when doing polygel nails usually comes from the slip solution you use for thinning it and moving it around, and from nail prep products.
Does polygel slip solution smell like acrylic monomer?
Acrylic nails are made up of two parts – acrylic powder and monomer liquid.
The monomer is what gives the acrylic nails their strength and flexibility, and it also happens to be the part that smells the strongest.
There are a few reasons why monomers used in acrylic nails have such a strong smell.
First, monomers are typically made from chemicals like ethyl methacrylate, which has a strong odor.
Additionally, monomers are mostly used in high concentrations, which can make the scent even more potent.
One of the main differences between acrylic monomer and polygel slip solution is that the slip solution doesn’t smell that much or so terrible.
The monomer has a strong, chemical odor that can be overpowering, whereas polygel slip solution has a much milder scent or even almost no scent at all.
And polygel itself, like acrylic powder, barely has an aroma at all.
So if you’re sensitive to smells, I’d recommend using polygel for a more pleasant nail enhancement experience.
What is polygel slip solution?
Slip solution is an alcohol-based liquid used to make your polygel’s consistency thinner and more malleable.
It can be used with any polygel and it will make this material easier to apply.
Plus, it helps to smooth out your polygel nail extensions when you sculpt them.
Does polygel slip solution have a smell?
If you’ve ever had your nails done using polygel, you may have noticed a mild smell of alcohol.
This is because the main ingredient in slip solution is Isopropyl Alcohol.
Some brands of this product may be almost odorless or even have a nice fruity or floral scent, thanks to added fragrant components.
If you’re looking for a slip solution that smells as good as it works, be sure to check out some of the brands that make odorless or fragrant slip solutions.
Odorless Slip Solution
What polygel nail prep products have a smell?
Some nail primers do have a smell.
A nail primer is a product that is used to prepare the nails for the application of gel nail polish or nail extensions.
It is applied before the base coat and acts as a double-sided sticky tape, providing a better surface for the polish to adhere to.
Nail primers help to extend the life of your manicure.
If you’ve ever used an acid nail primer, you know that the smell can be really strong.
Some people say it smells like vinegar, and that’s not surprising.
Acid nail primers are made with acetic acid, which is the main ingredient in vinegar.
However, this product is too strong. So if you’re considering getting polygel nails, you don’t need to use an acid primer unless you have severe hyperhidrosis.
There are non-acid and acid-free options available that will work just as well and are relatively odor-free.
Acid-Free Nail Primer And Dehydrator
How to make your polygel experience even more smell-free
If you’re sensitive to smells, you’ll enjoy working with polygel nails, since they’re almost odorless.
Here are a few tips to help you minimize the smell even further:
- Work in a well-ventilated area. This will help to reduce the amount of fumes you’re exposed to from any nail products.
- You can try opening a window or using a fan to ventilate the area while you’re getting your nails done.
- Use an acid-free nail primer. This will help to increase the longevity of your nail extensions and reduce the amount of fumes that are released.
- Choose an high-quality odorless polygel from a leading brand like Gelish, Makartt, Modelones, and a slip solution that is low odor or is pleasantly scented. Several brands offer slip solutions that have little to no odor.
- If you’re concerned about the smell of any nail products when getting polygel nails done at a salon, you can ask your nail tech to use low odor or scent-free slip solution and primer.
In conclusion, polygel nails have become a popular choice for many people seeking long-lasting, durable nails.
However, some people are hesitant to try polygel nails because of concerns about the safety of this product.
In this blog post, I’ve dispelled some of the myths about polygel nails. So now you can see that they are an odor-free, safe, and convenient option for your nails.
Recommended reading:
Best Professional Gel Nail Polish Brands Used In Salons
Non-Toxic Gel Nail Polish Brands 101: Choose The Safest Gel Nail Polish
Best No Light Gel Polish — Gel Nail Polish Without UV Light
Best Gel Base And Top Coat: The Updated List Of The Best Gel Nail Base And Top Coat Sets
Best Small Salon Reception Desk For A Tight Space: Make An Amazing First Impression!
Best Polygel Nail Kit Reviews And How To Apply Polygel At Home
Is Polygel Bad For Your Nails? 9 Reasons Why It’s Safe
Best Glitter Polygel Nail Kits
