Gel Polish & Shellac in Bangkok: Prices, Gel vs Regular Polish + Removal
Color on your nails is the fastest way to make your hands look done: no extensions, no length change, just a clean finish that changes how your whole hand reads. The question in Bangkok is which kind of color actually survives the city: the heat, the humidity, the pool days, the amount of hand-washing and hand sanitizer everyone goes through here.
Gel polish in Bangkok is built to hold up to exactly that: it doesn't chip in the heat or lift in the pool the way regular polish can. Regular polish still has its place if you just want a quick, cheap color change you're happy to redo in a week. At GlowUp Beauty Haus on Sukhumvit 31, both are done with clean, sanitized tools, on our dual chairs so hands and feet can be done at the same time.
Gel vs Regular Polish: Which One?
Gel Polish (Shellac)
Cured under a lamp, gel polish holds its color and shine for 2 to 4 weeks without chipping. It costs more than regular polish and needs to be properly soaked/filed off rather than picked at home, but for most people in Bangkok's climate it's the lower-maintenance option overall. You're not touching it up every few days.
Regular Polish
Air-dried, no lamp, and the cheapest option on the menu. It typically lasts 5 to 7 days before it starts chipping at the tips. Good if you want to change color often, you're not fussed about a chip here and there, or you just want a fast, low-cost finish before a trip or event.
French & Ombre Gel
A classic finish for anyone who wants something polished for the office or a specific event without going for a bold solid color: the tip (french) or gradient (ombre) is hand-painted in gel and cured the same way as a solid gel color.
What to Expect
- Prep. Nails are shaped and the surface is buffed so color goes on smooth and even.
- Base coat. Applied to protect the nail and help color adhere properly.
- Color, two coats. Your chosen shade goes on in two layers for full, even coverage, each layer cured under the lamp if you're getting gel.
- Top coat. Sealed on top for shine and to lock the color in.
- Cure. Gel is cured under the lamp at each stage; regular polish air-dries.
A gel polish appointment takes 45 to 60 minutes (60 minutes if you're doing hands and feet together), which our dual chairs let two techs handle at once instead of back-to-back.
Price List
See the full services and price list for everything else we offer.
Gel Polish Shellac
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Hands | 45 min | 500 |
| Feet | 45 min | 500 |
| French Gel/Ombre Gel | 60 min | 800 |
| Hands and Feet | 60 min | 1,000 |
Regular Polish
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Feet | 30 min | 300 |
| Hands and Feet | 60 min | 600 |
Nail Gel/Nail Extension Removal
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Inhouse Gel - Free | 15 min | 0 |
| Other Store Gel | 15 min | 200 |
If your gel was done here, we take it off for free when you come in for your next set. Coming from another salon, or with an extension we didn't apply? Removal is a flat 200 THB, still faster and safer than trying to pick it off yourself.
How Long Does Gel Polish Last & Aftercare
Gel polish holds for 2 to 4 weeks before it needs a redo, depending on how fast your nails grow and how hard you are on your hands day to day.
- Wear gloves for cleaning, dishes, and anything involving harsh chemicals. This is the main reason gel lifts early.
- Apply cuticle oil regularly, especially in aircon, to keep the skin around your nails from drying out.
- Never pick or peel at lifting gel. It takes layers of your natural nail with it. Book a proper removal instead.
- Once you notice real growth at the base or any lifting, book your next appointment rather than waiting it out.
FAQ
Is gel polish bad for your nails?
Not inherently. The damage almost always comes from improper removal, not the gel itself. Get it soaked or filed off properly and your natural nails stay fine underneath.
How long does gel polish last?
Typically 2 to 4 weeks without chipping, compared to 5 to 7 days for regular polish.
Can I change color every week?
Yes, that's exactly where regular polish makes sense. It's faster and cheaper to redo, so if you like switching colors often, regular polish is the more practical choice over gel.
How is gel removed?
It's soaked and gently filed off by your tech, not pried or picked off. Removal of gel we applied is free with your next appointment; gel from another salon is a flat 200 THB.
Can I get a pedicure at the same time?
Yes, our dual chairs let hands and feet be done in parallel by two techs, so a full hands-and-feet gel appointment still takes just 60 minutes.
How do I book?
Use the buttons below, or check the full services and price list and book directly from there.
Book Your Gel Polish or Shellac
Book Hands Book Feet Book Hands and Feet Book French Gel/Ombre
Want proper nail prep under your color, not just polish on bare nails?
Add Manicure+Gel (75 min, ฿900)
Fancy a small detail instead of a full color change?
Add Art Simple Per Nail (฿50) Add Art Medium Per Nail (฿100)
Coming in with gel from another salon that needs to come off first?
Book Other Store Gel Removal (15 min, ฿200)
GlowUp Beauty Haus is on Sukhumvit 31, open Monday to Sunday 12:00–22:00 with dual chairs so hands and feet can be done at the same time. See the full price list, or read more on the blog: Manicure, Nail Art, and Russian Manicure.