Nail Support: Gel vs. Acrylic & Preventing Breakage

Question
I have pretty good nails however they get to a certain length and start to break, and once one goes its all down hill. Is there any thing that I can do to give them more support without damaging them?  Also can you tell me if there is a difference between Gel & regular acrylic nails?  I've heard that gel is better for your nails.  Any info you give me would be extremely helpful.  Thank you in advance

Answer
Hi! Growing your nails is sometimes a problem. I would say that the nails enemy #1 would be water (especially hot water), so avoid as much as possible having your nails in water. Wear gloves while doing the dishes and keep them out of the tub if you enjoy long hot baths. Also try to wear gloves when doing houseworks. Besides that applying hand lotion and cuticle oil daily or two times a day is also a big help, you might what to apply before going to bed to alow an extended period of action. Also never cut your nails, when you want to reduce the lenght of your nails file them. Do this by filing from the side to the center on one side and them the other. You should also file regullary (once a week) not to reduce leght but to maintain the free edge smooth. Avoid changing your polish more than once a week and... there, you should have beautiful nails!
As for acrylics vs. gel; acrylics and gel are basicly the same thing, acrylics, or l&p (liquid and powder) consists of two fazes, a liquid and a powder, that start to cure (dry) as soon as they are mixed, to cure they need heat (the body temperature is enough). Gels don't need mixing and they cure with U.V. ligth so you can work with it untill you place it under an U.V lightbox, or any other source of U.V (like the sun), it cures faster than acrylics (about 2 min). The removal process is also diferent, acrylics can be taken of by soaking them in acetone, when gel usually has to be filled of. Some people might prefer some system over the other. Acrylic tend to be stonger while gels might give a more natural look.