In short, a gel manicure is a coat of coloured gel that looks deceptively similar to nail polish. … After your nail technician has applied each coat of polish, you’ll be asked to put your hands under a UV light to dry them and you’re done! There’s no chance of smudging and no drying time necessary. If you’re trying to grow your natural nails out, gel is also a good choice. The gel adds a layer of protection that helps keep your nails from breaking. However, one drawback of gel polish is that it’s very hard to get off. You might even find yourself going back to the salon for gel polish removal.