Polygel Nail Kits Are The Best Way To Get A Long-Lasting Mani At Home

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Polygel is having a moment in the nail world. If you've been dropping serious bank (and time) on regular salon manicure appointments for gel or acrylic nails, now may be the time to try an at-home polygel nail kit. What is polygel, though? Simply put, it's a gel formula that comes in a toothpaste-like tube to deposit color on to your nails. It has the durability of an acrylic nail with all the control you have in a regular nail polish.

You may be nervous about trying out a new nail trend at home, and if that's the case, you're not alone! That's where dermatologist Hadley King, MD comes in. She provided expert tips on how you can find a good quality polygel nail kit that's safe and won't ruin your nails.

Meet the experts: Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dana Stern, MD, is a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York who specializes in nail health. Mazz Hanna is a celebrity manicurist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood.

When you're prepping your nails, she says not trim your cuticles because they protect the nail and surrounding skin from infections. Then, you move on to the application stage. Like gel nails, polygel nails are hardened under a light. Dr. King advises that you select a kit that has an LED light instead of a UV light. "LED lights still emit UV radiation but at lower levels compared to a UV light, and they also cure the nails faster, decreasing UV exposure."

Peep a few of dermatologist-approved polygel nail kits below:

Last of all, she says you'll want to be careful about the removal process. Similar to any acrylic nails you might have used before, you should definitely not be trying to rip polygel nails off. Simply soak a cotton ball in acetone, and wrap each nail in that in tin foil. Repeat, if necessary.

See below for nine expert-approved polygel kits for you to try at home.

Shop the best polygel nail kit deals on Amazon

Poly Gel Nail Kit

This is the bestselling polygel nail kit on Amazon, and it's no secret why. It comes with seven different color options and includes everything you'll need from an LED lamp to glitter options, a base coat, top coat, and tons more.

Polygel Nail Kit

If bold colors aren't your thing, this neutral-toned polygel kit from Gellen is perfect for you. It also comes with tips so you can choose to add length to your nails if you prefer. This kit doesn't come with an LED light, so you'll have to get yours separately.

PolyGel Professional All-in-One Trial Kit

Whether you're a polygel beginner or just don't want an expansive set, this no-frills kit from Gelish is a great option. It has everything you need to get started, including a mini, travel-friendly LED lamp.

Read more: Fall Nail Designs

Pink Polygel Kit

Pink is one of the most popular, well-loved nail colors, so if you're a fan, this set is a great cost-saving option you can do at home in your pajamas. Want some bling? It also comes with four glitter options and some rhinestones.

Polygel Nail Kit

This perfectionist-friendly polygel kit has tons of tools to help you prep your nails before doing your at-home mani. It has a nail file, buffer, cutter, tweezer, cuticle brush (though, as Dr. King said, you don't want to take them off completely!), dust brush pen, and cuticle oil to help keep your nail bed nourished and moisturized.

Polygel Nail Kit Butterfly Series

If you love to do nail art, you will love this polygel kit that has tons of options to help you get creative. It includes butterfly stickers, sequins, glitter, and rhinestones for tons of options to help you get creative.

Read more: Acrylic Nail Kits

Polygel Extension Kit

This set has great value—it comes with an LED lamp, tons of manicure tools, and remover wipes for under $25. Each of the three kit options comes with six neutral and glittery colors you can have fun mixing and matching with.

Poly Extension Gel Nail Kit

While most polygel kits only come with six color options, this one has 32(!). The shades cover most of the rainbow with added glitter options, too. If you like mixing things up color-wise or plan on hosting a mani party for your friends some time soon, this is the kit for you.

Polygel Nail Kit

Bling lovers will appreciate this polygel nail set thanks to its six shimmering shades. Three have a metallic finish while the other three feature sequins. But, that's not all. It also comes with some uniquely-shaped rhinestones and nail gems for when you want an extra glam look.

Read more: Dip Powder Nail Kits And Brands

How our team chose the best polygel nail kits

For months, Women’s Health editors researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated indoor hydroponic gardens. Our team consulted dermatologists Hadley King, MD and Dana Stern, MD and celebrity manicurist Mazz Hanna, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

How do gel manicures work?

Gel polish contains molecules that harden when placed under UV light, which is what creates that long-lasting, no-chip finish that gel manicures are known for.

“Soak-off gel polish is made of methacrylates, which are able to be cured with UV rays, so the molecules link up and form stronger chemical bonds,” dermatologist Dana Stern, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York who specializes in nail health told WH in a previous story.

How to choose a polygel nail kit

• Purpose: First, consider what you want to use the polygel kit for, whether you want to create an overlay for your natural nail, repair a broken nail, or add extensions. Then, look for the kit that will help you with your goal, says Mazz Hanna, a celebrity manicurist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood.

• Color: Polygel kits come with just a few colors (a lot of the picks on this list have around six), so make sure it comes with the colors you want. For instance, if you're aiming to do a French manicure on yourself, make sure it comes with white and light pink.

• Ease of use: "It's not the easiest product to work with," says Hanna. So, make sure your kit seems straightforward and easy to use and comes with detailed instructions. Feel free to even read reviews and do your own research.

• LED lamp: You'll want to look for a polygel nail kit with an LED lamp instead of an UV lamp to expose your hands to UV light, which can potentially cause skin cancer. "LED lights do still emit some UV radiation, but it's at lower levels compared to a UV light," Dr. King explains.

Is polygel safe for nails?

"It can leave the nails a bit brittle and dehydrated" like many other kinds of manicures, like regular polish and acrylic nails, says Dr. King. So, if you get polygel manicures regularly, your nails might become more brittle over time. "I tend to recommend using these sorts of products for special occasions, but not all the time," she adds.

Dr. King emphasizes the importance of cuticle health. "We do need our cuticles—they do seal that transition zone from skin to nail, and so they really do help to protect us from infections," she says. "How you remove them is important because that part can be part of what really can damage your nail." (More on that below!)

How do I remove gel nail polish?

"The removal process can definitely be one of the places where the risks can happen," Dr. King says.

Since gel nail polish is made of special chemicals that make it chip-resistant, removing it isn't as easy as using nail polish remover, and you most certainly shouldn't peel it off. If you want to remove the polish at home, you'll have to file off the top coat of polish before soaking your nails in acetone for at least ten minutes or until the polish begins to break down.

Shop more of the best polygel nail kits

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