Difference between Nail Polish and Gel

Key difference: A nail polish is a varnish used to color and shine the nails, and a gel is a gelatinous substance used for cosmetic purposes.

Nail polish was primarily used in the early 19^th and 20^th century, people used to pursue a polished rather than painted look by massaging the tinted powders and creams into their nails, then buffing them shiny.

They are cosmetic nail color polishes, which are used to color the nails with different varieties of color. They give a tidy and presentable look to the nails. It is said observed that, they provide protection to the nails from the fungal infection, and act as a covering coat on the nails. Especially, women and girls use nail polishes, as it adds a trend and fashion spot to them.

Gels are basically, jellylike substance containing a cosmetic, medicinal, or other preoperational use. They are semisolid colloidal suspension, in which the solids are dispersed in liquids.

Nail Gel Gel nails are new and more natural looking alternative to acrylic nail extensions. They provide the same strength and natural look as acrylic nails, but without odor, nail damage and common acrylic overlays. They are applied in order to maintain the consistency of nails. They provide protection to nails from the external dust and fine particles. They also add glow and shiny appearance to the nails. They are available in choices of natural colors to enhance the natural look of the nail bed.

The only disadvantage of the gel nail polish is that, once it's been on the nails for 2/3 weeks, the nails will start growing out of the polish. Hence, the nails end up with the lovely nail coats, then a line of the natural nails grow under it. Also, if they get chipped out, then they end up by damaging the nail to the extreme. Most of the natural nail coatings come off along with the gel polish.

Comparison between Nail polish and Gel:

	Nail polish	Gel
Short description	Normal nail polish are colored liquid, of an appropriate thickness.	Gel nail polish is a thicker more 'gel' like substance rather than the normal nail polish.
How do they dry off?	It dries easily under normal air.	It has to be dried under Ultraviolet lights.
Function	They add color and give a presentable look to the nails.	They add shine and glow to the nails.
Prevents	It prevents the cracking and flaking of nails.	It prevents the damage caused due to heavy lifting to the nails.
Composition	Most nail polishes are made up of nitrocellulose dissolved in a solvent (e.g. butyl acetate or ethyl acetate) and either left clear or colored with various pigments. Their basic components includes, film forming agents (silver halide), resins and plasticizers, solvents, and coloring agents.	Gel nails are created with a layer of base gel, brushed into a mold then cured by UV.