Hard Gel, Polygel & Acrylic Nail Extensions in Bangkok: Prices & Guide
Not every set needs to be light and barely-there. If you want real length, you work with your hands all day, you're hard on your nails, or your natural nails are too weak to hold GelX tips for long, you want something structural: hard gel, polygel, or acrylic. These are the three materials that give you actual sculpted length and enough strength to survive daily life in Bangkok without chipping or lifting within a week.
The confusing part is that most people don't actually know the difference between these three, or between a tip and a form, so they end up with whatever the tech defaults to instead of what suits their nails and lifestyle. Here's the honest breakdown.
Hard Gel vs Polygel vs Acrylic: What's the Difference
Hard Gel
A rigid gel, cured under a lamp, sculpted over a tip or form to build length and shape. It's strong, holds a clean structure well, and is the standard choice for a durable full extension. It's firmer than GelX soft gel, so it holds length better under pressure, but it doesn't have the flex of polygel.
Polygel
A hybrid material (part gel, part acrylic) that comes in a putty-like form, gets shaped by hand, then cured under a lamp like gel. It's lighter and more flexible than hard gel or acrylic, easier for your tech to sculpt precisely, and a good middle ground if you want structure without the stiffness of acrylic or the smell of it either.
Acrylic
The classic option: powder and liquid mixed and sculpted by hand, hardening at room temperature rather than under a lamp. Extremely strong and durable, the go-to for anyone who's genuinely hard on their hands, but it's rigid rather than flexible, and the application has a stronger odor than gel-based options.
Tip vs Form
A tip is a pre-shaped extension glued onto the end of your natural nail, then built up and blended in with product. A form is a flexible guide placed under and past your natural nail, over which your tech sculpts the extension freehand: no pre-made shape, fully built from scratch. Forms tend to give a more natural-looking curve; tips are faster since the shape is already there.
Overlay (Strengthening, No Length)
If you don't want extra length but your natural nails are thin, peeling, or breaking, an overlay applies hard gel, polygel, or acrylic directly over your own nail as a protective, strengthening layer: same materials, no tip or form involved.
What to Expect
- Prep. Natural nails are cleaned, buffed, and shaped so product bonds properly.
- Tip or form placement. Your tech attaches a tip or fits a form, depending on the style you've chosen.
- Building the extension. Hard gel, polygel, or acrylic is applied and sculpted to the length and shape you want, curing as it goes for gel-based products.
- Filing and shaping. The extension is filed down to a clean, even shape and thickness.
- Color and finish. Gel color, french, or ombre is applied and cured, then finished with top coat.
A full extension set takes roughly 150 to 180 minutes, depending on whether you're doing a tip or a form, and whether you're adding color or a french finish.
Price List
See the full services and price list for everything else we offer.
Hard Gel/Polygel/Acrylic Extensions
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Tip Extension (up to size 2) | 150 min | 1,700 |
| Form Extension (up to size 2) | 150 min | 1,900 |
| Tip Inlay (up to size 2) | 180 min | 2,200 |
| Form Inlay (up to size 2) | 180 min | 2,500 |
Overlay / Nail Hardening (Strengthening, No Length)
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Overlay | 60 min | 1,000 |
| Hard Gel Overlay | 60 min | 1,000 |
| Polygel Overlay | 60 min | 1,000 |
Additional Length Extension (Extra Length on Top of an Existing Set)
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Length 3 - From | 10 min | 200 |
| Length 4 | 20 min | 400 |
| Length 5 | 30 min | 600 |
| Length 6 | 40 min | 800 |
| Length 7 | 50 min | 1,000 |
Russian Hard Gel Extensions (Master Tech)
Our senior nail tech is worth booking for more complex nail conditions, uneven nail beds, or when you want the most precise, durable hard gel work available.
| Service | Duration | Price (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Gel Extensions Only | 165 min | 2,500 |
| + Gel Color | 180 min | 3,000 |
| + French Gel | 210 min | 3,300 |
| Fill In Only - From | 120 min | 2,000 |
| Fill In + Gel | 150 min | 2,500 |
| Extension + Gel Color - From | 180 min | 2,500 |
| Ombre Extensions - From | 180 min | 2,800 |
| + French Gel Color - From | 180 min | 2,800 |
How Long Do They Last & Maintenance
A full hard gel, polygel, or acrylic set typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks, but you should book a fill-in every 3 to 4 weeks as your natural nail grows out. Waiting longer than that puts extra stress on the extension where it meets new growth. Always have your set removed by your tech rather than picking or prying it off; that's the fastest way to damage the natural nail underneath.
FAQ
Do hard gel extensions ruin natural nails?
Not if they're applied and removed correctly. The risk comes from picking sets off at home, or leaving fill-ins too long so the extension gets stressed and pulls at the natural nail. Regular fill-ins and proper professional removal keep your natural nails intact underneath.
Hard gel vs GelX: which is stronger?
Hard gel is the stronger, more rigid option, better suited to real length and daily wear and tear. GelX is lighter and more natural-feeling but not built for the same level of length or stress. Read more in our GelX Extensions post if you're deciding between the two.
How long does it take?
150 to 180 minutes for a full extension set, or 60 minutes for an overlay with no added length. See the price lists above for exact timing per option.
Can I type on a keyboard?
Yes, hard gel, polygel, and acrylic are all built to handle daily typing and normal hand use. Just give the set a few minutes to fully settle right after your appointment before anything that needs a firm grip.
How do I book?
Use the buttons below, or go to the full services and price list and book directly from there.
Book Your Hard Gel, Polygel or Acrylic Set
Book Tip Extension Book Form Extension Book Hard Gel Overlay Book Master Tech + French Gel
Set growing out around the 3-4 week mark? Get your fill-in booked before it lifts.
Book Fill In Only (120 min, ฿2,000)
Coming in with a set from another salon, or want to finish with some detail?
Book Other Extension Removal (40 min, ฿600) Add 3D Art (฿350)
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: GelX Extensions, Nail Fill-In & Maintenance, and Nail Art.