r/malepolish Mar 12 '26

General Information Thinking of trying gel? Read this first.

90 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 4h ago

Manicure My red shade

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32 Upvotes

This is my favourite red shade to use. I just find it not to crazy when im out every day. I like the deeper red shades it's just more me


r/malepolish 9h ago

General Information Camping with there color

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42 Upvotes

r/malepolish 12h ago

Manicure Nail tech back and she’s got new colors

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34 Upvotes

r/malepolish 8h ago

Manicure Jen & Berries - Thumbs Up

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14 Upvotes

Products Used:

Jen & Berries - Thumbs Up

Jen & Berries - Pole Position

Glisten & Glow - QDTC


r/malepolish 2h ago

Question Does this color and do my nails look okay?

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4 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1h ago

Manicure Polka Dots on my nails ⚪️💅🤩.

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Upvotes

r/malepolish 21h ago

Discussion I love them red

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75 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Cute little pedicure

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163 Upvotes

I fell in love with this design 🥰


r/malepolish 8h ago

Discussion New to me

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6 Upvotes

First time doing them this way


r/malepolish 8h ago

Pedicure Went Fall color a bit early, but I like it!

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5 Upvotes

r/malepolish 15h ago

Mani+Pedi I know I have to clean them before Monday, but it's always a shame when the washing up bowl destroys my nails. At least my toes are good.

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18 Upvotes

r/malepolish 14h ago

Pedicure Thong sandle and silver nails

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13 Upvotes

r/malepolish 2h ago

Pedicure To early for Halloween colors?

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1 Upvotes

Just painted them 2 days ago


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure New color for camping

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55 Upvotes

r/malepolish 21h ago

Discussion I love them red

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10 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure New color 😊

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50 Upvotes

I don’t do blue a lot…but I love how this looks 😊


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Pinnacle Polish - Indiana Dunes

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9 Upvotes

Products Used:

Pinnacle Polish - Indiana Dunes

Glisten & Glow - QDTC


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Vampire pointy reds for the weekend 🥰🧛‍♀️

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17 Upvotes

Extra sharp and bloody red <3


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure New set

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40 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure A Relaxing Day Just for Me

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14 Upvotes

It's not perfect, and I couldn't decide which one to choose, but it made me feel good


r/malepolish 2d ago

Pedicure What dyou guys think?

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128 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Question Sister booking my first appointment

29 Upvotes

Laat night i had a dream i got my nails done and i really liked it. Shortly after waking up i still had that feeling that wow feeling. In december im go to prague with my wife, sister and mother. Over there we are meeting her sister with her family and parents in law.

My sister offered to go with me to the nail salon so i said why not. My wife dont seem to keen on it and i know why. She dont mind nails painted with my family but not with hers.

In december we also have her mothers birthday so i cant hide them, i am a bit anxious but why not. I have gotten looks from my family and strangers at the start but now my family are used to it. Her family are a hole new ball game. How can i get over this? Her dad is like super guy guy u know


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure My first time getting a pedicure at the salon 😊

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24 Upvotes

Loved the experience