r/malepolish Mar 12 '26

General Information Thinking of trying gel? Read this first.

92 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 3h ago

Pedicure I just keep getting new color. I love this pink.

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19 Upvotes

r/malepolish 11h ago

Manicure Finally I gathered the courage.

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58 Upvotes

r/malepolish 2h ago

Question How to get nails done?

8 Upvotes

Hey!
I have been doing my nails myself for a while, but want to challenge my social anxiety by getting them done professionally. But I’m scared to do so. What to ask for? When to go to avoid attention? Do you book or show up, and do you mention you’re a guy if you book? Could anyone give me some advice or explain the process / how they do it themselves?
Thank you!


r/malepolish 8h ago

Manicure Cherry blossoms

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25 Upvotes

Went for super girly colors, my fav is a pinkish orange coral and these got pretty close, they are Cateye pink with some orange and neon pink gel mixed in. It’s funny how a few months ago
I used to get all shy about my nails and now it doesn’t phase me at all, I’m all excited to show em off and love it when I get compliments.


r/malepolish 16h ago

Mani+Pedi Tried matching - so happy : )

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91 Upvotes

New to this. Tried matching with a wicked purple 💜. Loved the way it turned out.


r/malepolish 8h ago

Mani+Pedi A matching set

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21 Upvotes

r/malepolish 7h ago

Manicure Nice emerald green 💚

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10 Upvotes

r/malepolish 4m ago

Pedicure Just relaxing outside toes on display

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Upvotes

r/malepolish 20h ago

Manicure I just like this look too much

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28 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure OPI Big Apple Red is one of my favorite reds 🍎💅❤️

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119 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Celebrity Male Polish Caleb Williams kept painting his nails despite the hate. Now he’s on the Madden NFL cover.

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214 Upvotes

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams paints his fingernails and does things his way. Now the NFL star is on the cover of Madden 27.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Mixture of a dark red and an iridescent clear with a pinkish hue. The picture doesn't do it justice, but I love it...

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42 Upvotes

r/malepolish 21h ago

Manicure Tuxedo Nail Art

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21 Upvotes

r/malepolish 8h ago

Discussion Opinion: I’m going to the Chicago Chinatown street fest. Is it culturally insensitive to do my nails with the theme shown, and maybe dragons etc? Thoughts?

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1 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Red. I guess is cute.

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45 Upvotes

Red. I guess is cute...I went with my wife at saloon.


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure My favorite

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13 Upvotes

I’ve been painting my nails for over a year now and this has got to be my favorite color combo that I keep coming back to.

Sally Hansen Made in Jade
LA Colors glitter polish


r/malepolish 1d ago

Manicure Dark Red Press On’s

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8 Upvotes

I went with a set of Dark Red press-ons. A mix of solid color and French manicure tips.


r/malepolish 2d ago

Pedicure I love the purple but I think it's time for a change

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197 Upvotes

r/malepolish 1d ago

Pedicure Love this color

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4 Upvotes

I have a dermatology appointment on Friday. It will be the first time someone else will be intentionally looking at me head to toe. I’m hoping I don’t back out and remove the polish before then.


r/malepolish 2d ago

Pedicure Orange

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70 Upvotes

Love this red/ orange from My Mood. Colour is called "so glowing". A perfect summer colour.


r/malepolish 2d ago

Pedicure Fresh new pedi

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30 Upvotes

r/malepolish 2d ago

Pedicure Black and Blue

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10 Upvotes

First time experimenting with mixing chrome powder. Black and blue, mostly black on the bigs, and mostly blue on the littles


r/malepolish 2d ago

General Information Pink makes me feel so girly.

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49 Upvotes