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Plan on 1 hour 45 minutes, since every layer of gel is set before the next goes on.
Includes dry e-file prep, shaping, and gel polish applied in thin layers, each set under a curing lamp.
For clients who want color that holds up to work, travel and the pool, and who are happy to return for proper removal.
Gel lasts only as long as the prep underneath it.
Dry e-file work clears the dead cuticle so gel can be placed right at the nail base, which keeps regrowth less noticeable in week two.
Gel goes on in thin coats, each set under the lamp, which avoids the bulky look and the lifting that often follow rushed application.
There are no drying fans or smudged tips. You can find your keys and drive home right away.
What to expect, step by step
Pick your shade and nail shape. If you would like a French or simple design, mention it at booking so we can confirm whether it fits your nail length and the appointment time.
Nails are shaped, dead cuticle is removed with the e-file, and the surface of each nail is gently prepared so the gel has something to grip. Everything stays dry.
Base coat, color and top coat are brushed on thin and set under a curing lamp one layer at a time. If you like, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to your hands before this step.
You leave dry and glossy. We go over the habits that help gel last, such as gloves for cleaning and daily cuticle oil, and why it should never be peeled off.
Pick the finish that matches how long you need it to last.
About 1 hour 45 minutes. Glossy color for roughly 2 to 3 weeks on healthy natural nails, without added thickness.
One hour, with air-dried polish you can remove at home. Choose the regular polish manicure if you change colors every week.
Around two hours. If your nails bend, split or break before gel wears out, the hard gel manicure builds a stronger layer under the finish.
Matching gel on your toes, which usually outlasts the manicure. Booked back to back, the pair takes about 3 hours 45 minutes.
A 90-minute makeup appointment for a gala or celebration. Many clients book the gel manicure a day or two earlier so everything is ready on the day.
An hour-long lash lift and tint, a favorite before vacations when you would rather skip mascara as well as polish touch-ups.
Prices from our current service menu.
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Why gel is the everyday choice here
Boca Raton hands see a lot: pool chlorine, sunscreen, salt air, golf grips and the steering wheel on I-95. Regular polish often chips before the weekend, while a well-prepped gel manicure usually keeps its shine through a couple of busy weeks. It is a popular pick before a trip, a wedding weekend or a charity gala during season, when you want nails you can stop thinking about.
Complete the look with services booked the same day.
Compare every finish on our manicure and pedicure menu, or add a gel polish pedicure for matching toes. Before an event, brow design and tinting or lash lamination can be scheduled around your manicure.
On healthy natural nails, gel polish typically lasts about 2 to 3 weeks before growth at the base or wear at the tips makes a fresh set worthwhile. Hand-heavy habits, like cleaning without gloves or using nails to open cans, shorten that time.
The extra time goes into dry cuticle prep and thin layers. Each coat of base, color and top is set under the lamp separately, and that careful prep is what helps gel stay on without lifting.
Gel lamps give off UV light for short periods. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher to your hands beforehand, or wearing fingerless gloves, and you are welcome to do either at your appointment.
Gel itself is not usually the problem. Damage most often comes from peeling or picking gel off, which strips away layers of the nail, or from aggressive filing. Letting a technician remove it and keeping nails moisturized helps them stay in good shape.
We recommend coming back for removal. If you must do it at home, the gentlest method is to soak only the fingertips, using acetone-soaked cotton wrapped in foil for about 15 minutes, then easing the gel away without scraping. Never peel it.
You can request a French or simple design when you book. Designs are handled as requests rather than menu items, so we will confirm ahead of time whether one works for your nail length and the time available.
Gel polish is a thin, flexible color coat meant to be removed after a few weeks. Hard gel is a thicker, stiffer product that adds structure and strength and is filed down rather than soaked off. See our hard gel manicure if strength is the goal.
Lifting often starts when gel is applied over leftover cuticle tissue or oils, or when nails were soaked and later shrink back. Dry e-file prep removes that cuticle film and keeps the nail at its natural size, which helps the bond. If lifting happens, book a visit instead of picking.
Yes. Gel works well on short nails, and a short, softly rounded shape tends to be the most chip-resistant of all.
Many people keep up gel manicures while pregnant, but it is best to check with your doctor or OB first, especially if smells bother you. Let us know at booking so we can make you comfortable.
Related guides
Further reading from medical sources
Gel is fully set when you leave, so lunch and a little shopping are no problem. About 3 km.
Show off the new color over coffee or dinner; there is nothing left to smudge. About 2.5 km.
A picnic or a walk under the trees is an easy way to enjoy the rest of the day, and carrying a cooler will not dent set gel. About 4.5 km.
