Gel Nails Vs. Jamberry Nail Wraps

Posted on the 02 June 2014 by Catherine Mcdiarmid-Watt @frugalfreebies

Wearing a Jamberry Accent Nail wrap over gel nails

Let's talk about Gel Nails - the ones you do at home under UV lights. Do you use them? Do you love them? Tell me why!
I have had two family members say they use gel nails - and I wondered... What are the pros? What are the cons?
So I thought I would do some research. This was the first thing I found - which is scary when you have such a strong family history of cancer, like my family does!
The Skin Cancer Foundation has officially released a statement on the popular procedure. Elizabeth Hale, MD, the foundation’s vice president said:
Research has shown that ultraviolet (UV) radiation-emitting devices are carcinogenic to humans. Although studies have shown that the skin cancer risk associated with UVR-emitting nail lamps for gel manicures is very low, it is not insignificant. The risk, according to anecdotal research, is greatest for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer. An estimated 700,000 cases of SCC are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths. SCC is mainly caused by chronic UV exposure and is very common on the hands and around the fingernails. Source

The statement recommends to apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 prior to getting a gel manicure, although I have seen other recommendations of at least SPF 30. Does this new warning concern you, or will you still get gel manicures?
-- Request Your Jamberry Nails Sample --
Here is an interesting option...
Royal Nails Anti UV Gloves For UV Light/lamp Nail Dryer Only Nail Exposed
-- These Anti-UV Gloves protect your hands from harmful UV rays during gel treatments. Made from certified materials that block harmful UV rays, these gloves slip on and off easily. Machine-washable. One size fits most.
Click for more info

Another interesting option!!
DIY Gel Nails (No UV light)
-- Did you know that you can do your own gel nail manicure at home using your own normal nail polish and no UV light? It will make your nails look thicker and freshly polished even after two weeks. Click for more info
American Classic Gelous Nail Gel Base Coat Nail Polish
Bonds directly to the nail as a protective barrier
Contains Keratin a fundamental component of nails
Creates a protein-rich coating
Adds measurable thickness
Instantly strengthens, hardens and reinforces weak nails
Click for more info

From: Catherine Watt - Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant
SALE! Buy Three - Get One FREE!
Shop Now! Wonderful.JamberryNails.net
Like: Facebook.com/WonderfulNailDesign


Let's compare Gel Nails versus Jamberry Nail wraps:

CHEMICALS:
Gel Nails: Check your ingredients - BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) is considered a carcinogen; Methacrylates can cause skin to redden, itch and swell; The cumulative effect of nails, fingers and hands being exposed to the UV light increase the health risk of skin cancer, especially nail bed melanoma, a particularly difficult type of skin cancer to treat.
Jamberry Nail Wraps: Non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, no harmful chemicals - also gluten-free, latex-free, cruelty-free
Jamberry Nail Lacquer: 5-Free - free of the top five cancer-causing chemicals: Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutylphthalate (DBP), Camphor and Formaldehyde Resin. Comparable to the Chanel 5-Free
-- Request Your Jamberry Nails Sample --
NAIL DAMAGE:
Gel Nails: I am reading reports of weak nails, nail damage, infections:
"...frequent use can cause nail thinning, brittleness, peeling and cracking, and also hide nail disease, an expert warns."
Jamberry Nail Wraps: The wrap will not damage your natural nail. I note in the above article that one concern is the acetone in the nail polish remover. I don't like to use chemicals so instead of cleaning my nails with alcohol, I use vinegar. And to remove my wraps, I soak them in olive or coconut oil.
DRY TIME:
Gel Nails: I have heard it said that there is no dry time, but I am seeing 30-60 seconds to cure and dry - between each coat. It might not seem like much, but when you have a crying baby, or a meal to tend to - there isn't always time to sit still and wait.
Jamberry Nail Wraps: There is no dry time. You can apply a wrap, and immediately... scratch an itch, pick up your baby, pet your pet, wash your hands, do laundry, even eat a meal!
WEAR TIME:
Gel Nails: I am told they last up to two weeks, although a friend said, "I've never had an at-home gel polish that lasted me more than a week solid without some coming off." Another said the ends tended to chip frequently.
Jamberry Nail Wraps: Up to 2 weeks on your finger, up to 6 weeks on your toes. Although I have had mine last longer, up to 6 weeks on my slow-growing fingernails. They don't chip or peel, and they even protect my nails from breaking! It's like pretty protection for my nails!
REMOVAL:
Gel Nails: The removal process seems labour-extensive and time-consuming, involving acetone. Acetone is a clear, harsh-smelling and highly flammable liquid. It's a solvent, capable of disintegrating even plastic.
[Tip: put Vaseline around your finger tips when removing your gels, and your fingers will not dry out like they normally get with the acetone.]
Jamberry Nail Wraps: I soak my nails a couple of minutes in olive or coconut oil (getting a bit of a spa treatment at the same time) and using an orange stick (even better, a floss pick!) to peel it right off. Much gentler, and quick.
From: Catherine Watt - Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant
SALE! Buy Three - Get One FREE!
Shop Now! Wonderful.JamberryNails.net
Like: Facebook.com/WonderfulNailDesign

Wearing Jamberry Nail
wraps over gel nails

Not ready to give up your Gel Nails?
-- Request Your Jamberry Nails Sample --
-- Did you know Jamberry Nails work with great with gels? They'll do wonders covering up your nail growth between fills or give you a bit of a short term change up. You obviously love pretty nails. So why not try out some wraps under your Gel top coat and see what you think?
Let's hear from some Jamberry customers who also use gel nails:
Katherine wrote: "I was wearing Gel nails, I got into by wearing one accent nail and thats all it took. Now they are all Jamberry!"
Debbie wrote: "I wear gel and so I tried a sample and I was hooked I can change them whenever I want and they look good when overtop when you need a fill and don't have time."
Lynn wrote: "I love wearing lots of fun patterns with my gels! Plus no dry time, no nail damage!"
Jessica wrote: "My sister in law always applies jams over gel polish."
Amy wrote: "My dermatalogist (who loved my Jamberry Nails and requested a sample) said that they UV lights for gel nails are dangerous and they are already starting to see an increase in skin cancer around the fingernails due to the UV lights."
Tanis wrote: "I still use my LED light for my gel polish on some of my nails but I like the Jamberry Nails for accent nails too but I like different patterns so I usually have only one or two with gel polish and rest with Jamberry for the fun patterns."
Elda wrote: "I like to sandwich my Jamberry wraps between my UV base coat and top coat."
Jill wrote: "The gel Polish comes in limited colors. I think it takes about 45 mins to do gel. Gel kinda wrecks your nails too"
Jessica wrote: "Gel does chip - I worked in a medical lab and had to change gloves and wash my hand all day long. I got gel manicures every 2 weeks because they lasted longer than regular polish, but the tips did chip pretty frequently. Sometimes, the whole gel would peel off. I've seen it happen to my co-workers, too who use gel polish. Jamberrys have been much more durable."
From: Catherine Watt - Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant
SALE! Buy Three - Get One FREE!
Shop Now! Wonderful.JamberryNails.net
Like: Facebook.com/WonderfulNailDesign

NOTE - If any of the above links are not working or the freebies or coupons no longer available, please post a blog comment below and I'll edit it!

QUICK FREEBIE TIP:
If a freebie is limited to only the first 1,000 participants - you may not be in that group and the site may just be harvesting your information.
Click for more quick freebie tips

Enjoying all the freebies? Want to keep up with the latest free stuff, deals, coupons, and other ways to save money? Subscribe to Frugal Freebies' email updates or RSS Feed! - it's free!
Check us out on Twitter, and join in the conversation of even more great freebies, deals and coupons on our Frugal Freebies fan page on Facebook and Google+. We are even on Pinterest!
More Frugal Blogs and Websites:
Born to Love: All your cloth diapering needs, and much more - naturally! We are strong advocates of the personal, social and environmental benefits of natural parenting.
Frugal Baby Tips: Money-saving tips on diapering, diaper washing, safety, slings and baby carriers, toys, clothing, nursing, menstrual needs, traveling with kids, more!
Jamberry Nails: The hottest trend in nail design. Get high-end nail art without the fuss of polish - or expensive salon visits! Like us on Facebook!
Oshawa Journal: A Step Back in Time to the Village of Oshawa - historical family timelines, news clippings, birth/marriage/death/grave records, photos and stories of the people I am researching, as well as the history of streets and houses in the village of Oshawa.