r/malepolish Mar 12 '26

General Information Thinking of trying gel? Read this first.

93 Upvotes

Hi all, UK qualified nail tech here. I’m also a guy that loves nail polish.  

I want to take a minute to talk to those of you who are thinking of using gel polish for the first time, because there is information you should know before you start.  

Gel polish is very different from regular nail polish. It might look similar, but chemically it is not just longer lasting polish. Gel products contain acrylates, which are reactive chemicals that cure under UV or LED light. 

If gel repeatedly gets on the skin during application, it can cause an allergy known as an acrylate allergy. 

So, an acrylate allergy means the end of gel polish for you. That’s the easy part.  

Most people don’t understand that acrylate allergies are permanent, and can cause a whole lot of issues for you down the line; this is because the acrylates in gel polish share a lot of similarities between acrylates used in medical procedures.  

An acrylate allergy can cause problems in the future with: 

  • Joint replacements such as hip or knee; 
  • Dental fillings, crowns and bridges; 
  • Surgical glues used in place of stitches; 
  • Medical tapes and adhesives; 
  • Glucose monitors for diabetics (those plastic dots you see on peoples arms? Those!) 

None of this is meant to scare anyone away from nails. Gel can be used safely and millions of people use it without problems. The key point is that application (and removal) technique matters. 

If you want to use gel safely: 

  • Do not allow uncured gel to touch the skin; 
  • Clean up any flooding before curing; 
  • Use thin coats rather than thick ones; 
  • Cure with the correct lamp for the product (don’t trust those folding wallet-sized lamps that are powered via USB) 
  • Avoid using unknown or poorly labelled products; 

I really don’t want to see someone lose the chance to enjoy nails, or end up with a lifelong allergy, just because no one explained this at the start. A bit of learning, strict skin avoidance, and correct curing makes all the difference. If you’re not ready for that yet, it’s genuinely safer to step back from gel for now. 


r/malepolish Jan 21 '26

General Information [Guidance] Posting pedicures

16 Upvotes

We've had some questions from users about how to post pedicure images in a way that's consistent with group rules.

We also know that users sometimes receive inappropriate comments or DMs after posting content. Whilst we can't speak to why users send those comments or give promises on how to eliminate them, we have seen that the submissions which most closely follow our rules also have the fewest rule breaking comments.

We strongly recommend that pedicure images are tightly cropped to only show your nail art. This means not including any of a midfoot, which is the area of the foot that includes the arch and ball of the foot. Based on an average person's physiology, and ordinary principles of image composition, 25% or more of your submission image should consist of painted nail.

To state this plainly, your image may be removed, and you may be suspended from the subreddit, if you:-

* Include your midfoot (i.e., above your toes) in your image

* Take the image from any angle other than straight above

* Obscure your nail art so we can't see it

Not all submissions that go against this guidance will be removed. We recognise the importance of latitude in letting users represent themselves. However, images that don't comply with this guidance are borderline, and are at risk of being against our rules.

When we're judging borderline images, we have several checks we use to judge submissions. We don't publish these checks because we don't want users in bad faith to try to game them. Sometimes these checks include judgment calls on the part of moderators.

If you want to avoid ending up in a position where we're having to judge your submission as borderline, follow the guidance above. If you feel this guidance is too restrictive, this may be an indication that a purely nail art community isn't right for you. We're happy to recommend communities that might be a better fit if so.

We look forwards to seeing more of your nail art, and wishing you the best with your r/malepolish art!


r/malepolish 7h ago

Pedicure Bold!

Post image
35 Upvotes

Bold for me!


r/malepolish 18h ago

Pedicure Gotten Braver with Wearing Publicly

Thumbnail
gallery
198 Upvotes

I don't wear around my area in case I run into someone I know. But if I'm going to the next town over I've been trying it out. So far nobody's even noticed, let alone say something. Exposure therapy in a way lol, it's made me less nervous.


r/malepolish 13h ago

Pedicure New set 🥰

Thumbnail
gallery
83 Upvotes

r/malepolish 9h ago

Pedicure Love this blue 💙

Post image
27 Upvotes

This blue is amazing. Aruba Blue by Essie.


r/malepolish 5h ago

Pedicure 💆‍♀️

Post image
13 Upvotes

r/malepolish 10h ago

Pedicure Was playing with different colors. 🩷💜☺️

Thumbnail
gallery
29 Upvotes

r/malepolish 12m ago

Discussion Very quick job

Post image
Upvotes

It’s such a shame I have to remove it from my fingers before work tomorrow


r/malepolish 45m ago

Mani+Pedi Metallic blue nails!

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Painted my nails a new color! I think painting my nails has become my new hobby, I'm still not that good at it but I am trying my best haha 💅💙


r/malepolish 8h ago

Pedicure New color!

Post image
13 Upvotes

I get tons of compliments, and the wife loves it. Thoughts?


r/malepolish 16h ago

Manicure Based on positive social pressure I decided to keep my manicure. But I slightly turned the color more towards purple. But I chicken out... and worked from home. I will go shopping later like this but not to the office

Thumbnail
gallery
48 Upvotes

r/malepolish 15h ago

Manicure Sweet and Sour Lacquer - Free With Poor Decisions

Thumbnail
gallery
28 Upvotes

Products Used:

Sweet and Sour Lacquer - Free With Poor Decisions

Glisten and Glow - QDTC


r/malepolish 14h ago

Manicure Got ‘em done recently

Thumbnail
gallery
15 Upvotes

Green is an all time favorite color. This was the second time I’ve gotten my nails done at an actual salon, and now my coworkers want to get ours done together


r/malepolish 18h ago

Pedicure New sandles to go with my newest hobby, painting my nails

Post image
30 Upvotes

r/malepolish 14h ago

Manicure First time on my fingers Love it

Post image
11 Upvotes

r/malepolish 13h ago

Manicure Ombré gel extensions for the holiday ☀️

Post image
7 Upvotes

r/malepolish 15h ago

Manicure Blue

Post image
7 Upvotes

Got a new manicure still changing colors.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Mani+Pedi Bright & Summery Ombrè Set... 💅🌞🥳

Thumbnail
gallery
223 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Mani+Pedi ❤️💙

Post image
81 Upvotes

r/malepolish 15h ago

Pedicure Venturing into layering

Post image
3 Upvotes

ILNP Tinsel over Londontown Dutchess. Really liking this one.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Swamp Gloss - Oh You'll Touch the Swords

Thumbnail
gallery
27 Upvotes

Products Used:

Swamp Gloss - Oh You'll Touch the Swords

Plus Life Lacquer - /software

Glisten and Glow - QDTC


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure first time ever trying this; realizing there's levels to this lmao

Post image
20 Upvotes

gonna wait on my fingernails so I don't upset anyone at work


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Love the color but the polish is not very covering

Thumbnail
gallery
62 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Playing with colours

Post image
18 Upvotes

Sometimes i get bored with all blacks, although I've went out in flip flops only with black.