Difference Between Gel Nails Vs. Acrylics - or Just Use Bandaids! ;)

I've had both, and loooove the gel polish. It lasts exactly 4 weeks for me, every time. And it's always just peeled off all in one piece (not chipping or anything before that). It hasn't damaged my nails yet, but then again mine are pretty strong. They don't file or anything before they put on the gel.
I didn't like acrylics because it made my nails thicker and it bothered me for some reason. The gel wasn't thick, and it couldn't actually be filled. I wonder if there are different kinds of gel? the place I go to just says "gel polish" and it costs $25 and was basically like regular nail polish but under a UV light.

Friend of mine is doing neither, but she loves color and has treated herself to some nice polish and a few no-add ons manicures as rewards for not biting her nails. Is there a treat you could hold out to yourself as a carrot?

Gel nails are really hard to find. You might be seeing a sign for gel polish - that's really popular now. It's the same price or just a little more than a regular manicure and they polish your nails using a different type (gel) nail polish and you set it under UV. It doesn't chip or scratch... but it's just nail polish.

Both gel nails and acrylic nails damage your nails quite a bit. If you're trying to grow your nails out, neither is a good option. But if you're looking for something less fun to bite, I guess either would work fine. The gel polish would just crack, though, if you bit your nails, like regular polish.

gels hurt less to have taken off, however acrylic in my experiance are stronger. My gels popped of in a few days. Acrylics if filled properly and timely (2-3 weeks) would last me months! They both will need to be filed first as that is how they secure to your nail. If you want to grow your own nails out... Dont get either. It will break and damage them when they come off.

I would NOT recommend acrylic nails........ They ruin your real nails. So bad. Then you have to wait for your real nail to grow all the way back out so it is healthy again. I just got "shelack" not sure if I spelled that right (lol) But I think it is similar to the gel nails. It's a special polish, you put your hands under the UV light.... If you do this type of manicure make sure you put 50+ sunscreen on your hands before you go! Anyway, mine have lasted almost 2 weeks and 1 is chipping. But, normal polish/normal manicure only lasts a few days for me. Also, the gel makes my nails feel stronger.

I've had both, and both made my nails weaker, split and peel once they were removed. The gel is supposedly better for your nails, however like I said once it was removed, my nails were very brittle and weak. Acrylics are a lot of upkeep, going to get fills every couple of weeks. Gel will also need to be done every couple of weeks, so why not just do mani's with just polish as a reward for not biting your nails? If you can grow nice nails, mani's are your best bet.

P.:

I'm not sure of the difference between gels and acrylic. I know with gels you need to put your hand under a UV light to help "firm" up the gel. I've been told gel is better for you than acrylic.

As to biting your nails? It's a nervous habit and, to be honest, you need to find out WHY you bite your nails. Gels or acrylics might not work for you - as you might still bite your nails....they will just make it harder for you.

Try hypnosis!! :) having nice nails is a good thing!!!

I don't know about gels. I tried acrylics and I am very regretful because my nails have never been the same.

One thing with acrylics, they are so thick it makes it hard to do some really trivial tasks.

I like my nails plain and buffed nicely to a shine but I work on them because they are still so fragile after I tried acrylic.

My 18 yr old does her own nails. She's like me, not too find of mani/pedis. We buy a lot of goodies from Sally Beauty and have girls mani/ pedis about once a week.

As fir biting, I don't know how to correct that. Acrylics would certainly make it difficult to bite though!!

Updated

I don't know about gels. I tried acrylics and I am very regretful because my nails have never been the same.

One thing with acrylics, they are so thick it makes it hard to do some really trivial tasks.

I like my nails plain and buffed nicely to a shine but I work on them because they are still so fragile after I tried acrylic.

My 18 yr old does her own nails. She's like me, not too find of mani/pedis. We buy a lot of goodies from Sally Beauty and have girls mani/ pedis about once a week.

As fir biting, I don't know how to correct that. Acrylics would certainly make it difficult to bite though!!

I love the look of a nice mani but hate that it usually chips in 1-2 days and I feel like I've wasted $20. I tried the shellac mani a couple of times but my nails were pretty damaged from soaking in acetone for removal.
I recently discovered the modern version of press on nails. Yes ladies, press on nails are back! The brand I like is Broadway. I've found them at Walgreens, CVS and HEB. I love the red and french. I have gotten a ton of compliments and people can't believe they're press on!

I cut my real nails very short before applying then cut and file the press ons after applying. I like my nails short. I get 5-6 days wear easily. I think these will deter your biting and your "nails" will also look pretty.