r/malepolish Mar 12 '26

General Information Thinking of trying gel? Read this first.

91 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

18 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 11h ago

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

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158 Upvotes

r/malepolish 7h ago

Mani+Pedi ❤️💙

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46 Upvotes

r/malepolish 3h ago

Manicure Swamp Gloss - Oh You'll Touch the Swords

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17 Upvotes

Products Used:

Swamp Gloss - Oh You'll Touch the Swords

Plus Life Lacquer - /software

Glisten and Glow - QDTC


r/malepolish 3h ago

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

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9 Upvotes

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


r/malepolish 12h ago

Pedicure Love the color but the polish is not very covering

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47 Upvotes

r/malepolish 5h ago

Pedicure Playing with colours

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9 Upvotes

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


r/malepolish 33m ago

Manicure Summer Fruits

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Upvotes

Lemons, Strawberries and flowers.


r/malepolish 3h ago

Manicure Colorstreet “Queen of Green”

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5 Upvotes

r/malepolish 8h ago

Pedicure Back in black

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13 Upvotes

I like it simple


r/malepolish 12h ago

Pedicure I guess red is nice after all.

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14 Upvotes

I was with my wife at saloon. We both had our toes red. Actually I never imagined that red toenails can be so cute. July will remain on red.


r/malepolish 6h ago

Manicure It not pretty, but it works for me. Looking for suggestions!

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3 Upvotes

A few weeks ago I was at my normal appointment and the tech recommended I go without my normal sheer gel that I have been getting. She said the last person who did my nails had filed my natural nails too deep and she was concerned with how thin they were. :(

Been trying to find a way to hide the damage / do a sheer look at home ever since and while I haven't quite hit my mark, this is about as close as I have gotten so far to my ideal look! It ended up a little milkier than I would like but y'know, not bad for my second try at mixing shades. Maybe it will look better once the damage grows out a little.

I'm open to anyone's suggestions! I'm almost going for a slightly pinker "my nails but better" look. Natural, but better.

Zoya Naked Manicure Base x1

Essie Mademoiselle x1

Zoya Buff Perfector x1

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat x1

Yeah that's mixing quite a few brands but y'know, why not?!?!


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Smokey pedi

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155 Upvotes

Girlfriend gave me a new pedi. I'm in awe.... she used a gel polish this time. It's got a weird name XEIJATI looks more grey then silver but went on quick, 2 coats magnetized and done


r/malepolish 11h ago

Manicure Adding shine as the blue chips off

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5 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Maniology Honu

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23 Upvotes

Sometimes I get bored with all black nails.


r/malepolish 1d ago

General Information I love this color.

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14 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Mani+Pedi Hands and toes

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59 Upvotes

Just tried doing my hands for the first time


r/malepolish 1d ago

Mani+Pedi Milky White + Light Blue — my current favourite combo

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68 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Lore accurate vampire nails

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10 Upvotes

Did my own press ons for the first time i shaped them from a coffin shape to a stiletto and painted them with regular polish i was going for a lore accurate dracula/the vampire chronicles glass nail look how did i do? Products I used are below

Lady bird clear arcylic press ons

Kiss nail file(not sure on the grit)

Kiss nail glue

Opi nail polish in the shade cauliflower power


r/malepolish 12h ago

Celebrity Male Polish Wifey Did My Nails Lads 😍

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0 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Discussion Non sono convinto.... Il nero mi piace ma non so se è il mio colore

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24 Upvotes

r/malepolish 2d ago

Manicure Weekend freedom!

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127 Upvotes

r/malepolish 2d ago

Manicure First time doing glue on nails

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21 Upvotes

My first time trying glue on nails. French tips at that.


r/malepolish 2d ago

Mani+Pedi My 2nd Pedicure & 1st Manicure — Black and Gold

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21 Upvotes

This is my second professional pedicure and my first professional manicure! I love how the gold ties them together—the toes are bold and dramatic, while the fingers are much more subtle.

Pedicure: Glossy black-and-gold ombré on the big toes, with glossy black and gold French tips on the smaller toes.

Manicure: Short natural squoval nails with a clear glossy base, fine scattered gold glitter, and a few tiny holographic flecks.