If you’ve ever gotten a manicure, chances are you’re familiar with gel nails. As one of the most popular manicure options, gel nails are commonly offered at salons as a long-lasting, chip-free alternative to regular nail polish colours. With its durability and wide range of colours and nail designs, it’s no wonder most people opt for gel manicures.

It’s also possible to achieve gel nails with an at-home manicure. Unlike dip nails, which require powder and liquid activator for application, gel nails can be cured using a UV lamp. But before you try your own DIY gel nails, it’s important to get informed. According to Eunice Park, brand director at Aprés Nail, it takes a certain skill level to apply gel. And without proper treatment, mistakes can lead to damage, especially when it comes to gel removal.

“Creating a smooth base layer can be a challenge for the inexperienced, especially if you have uneven natural nails,” says Park. “Additionally, many who are inexperienced can often overfile when removing, which can damage the nail plate or, worse, rip or peel the gel off! This will take layers of your nail plate off and create thin, brittle nails.”

Ahead, everything you need to know about gel nails, including application, removal, benefits, and more.

There are two types of gel nails: hard gel nails and soft gel nails. “The key distinguishing factor of hard gel is that it cannot be soaked off,” says Park. “It can only be filed off. And because of the strength and durability of hard gel formulas, you can create long extensions with this kind of gel. Soft gel can be soaked off with acetone. Most color gels are a soft gel formula. But due to the give and flexibility of its formula, soft gel cannot make lengthy extensions.”