Gel Nails, often also called gel nail extensions, sculpted gel nails or gel sculpting, are a wafer-thin sculpted reinforcement or extension of your natural nail that cures under LED light and lasts three to four weeks. They suit you if you want strong, well-groomed nails that look natural. For a new set of Gel Nails, allow at least 60 minutes; the price starts at CHF 109. An infill takes from 45 minutes and the price starts at CHF 85.
We work exclusively with vegan, TPO-free gels that are not tested on animals, in all Beautylounge studios.
What are Gel Nails?
Gel Nails give your own nails strength and, if you wish, extra length. To do this, we apply a special gel in several thin layers to the prepared natural nail and cure each layer under an LED lamp. This creates a gel sculpt that is both strong and flexible and feels as thin as your own nail.
You decide how your Gel Nails look in the end: natural in nude, in colour, as a French or with a chrome effect and nail art. The sculpt stays the same; only the finish is different.
New set or Gel Nails infill: options, duration and price
Your first appointment is a new set. After that, you come back at regular intervals for an infill, because your natural nail keeps growing and the sculpt moves forward with it.
✓ New set of Gel Nails with extensions, from CHF 109, max. 75 minutes: You arrive with your natural nails and leave with a complete set. For the extension, we attach a tip to the end of the nail or place a form under the free edge and build the new length from gel, in the length and shape you want.
✓ Natural Gel Nails infill, from CHF 85, max. 60 minutes: For natural Gel Nails you are already wearing. After three to four weeks, we rebuild the grown-out area and adjust the sculpt.
✓ Babyboomer, French, Full Colour, Chrome: Each of these designs adds CHF 10 to the price of your Gel Nails. For individual accents, there is decoration per nail and rhinestones. You'll find more inspiration on our page for nail art.
✓ Repairing a broken nail: If a nail breaks, we repair it during your infill for CHF 3 per nail; as a separate appointment, a nail repair costs CHF 15 per nail.
✓ Professional gel or acrylic removal: If you no longer want to wear a sculpt, we remove it gently in the studio. This applies to gel as well as acrylic.
Who are Gel Nails suitable for?
We tailor the sculpt to your natural nails and your everyday life. Gel Nails suit you particularly well:
✓ If you have soft, thin or brittle natural nails: The gel protects the nail and gives it the strength it naturally lacks.
✓ If your nails keep tearing before they grow long: With a sculpt, you get the length you want without having to wait for your nails to grow.
✓ If you don't want to touch up your polish every few days: Natural Gel Nails stay neat until your next infill, without you having to do anything at home.
In everyday life and at work, what matters is that your nails suit your hands. If you type a lot or work with your hands, choose a shorter length and a rounded shape. That way the sculpt stays strong and doesn't get in your way.
For special occasions such as a wedding or a holiday, it's best to plan your new set a few days beforehand. That way you're used to the length and shape before the big day.
Gel Nails are intended for healthy natural nails. If you notice inflammation or a change on the nail or the surrounding skin that you can't explain, have it checked by a specialist first.
If you're looking for a short, well-groomed option without a sculpt, the Shellac manicure is the right choice for you.
Gel Nails treatment: process and aftercare
Whether it's a new set or an infill, your appointment always follows the same five steps.
1. Consultation: We look at your natural nails and decide on shape, length and colour together.
2. Preparation: We shape the nails, gently push back the cuticles, and clean and degrease the natural nail. We don't roughen it.
3. Sculpting: Now the sculpt is built up layer by layer, always following your natural nail shape.
4. Finish: We file the nails into their final shape. Then comes the colour, French or a natural finish, and finally the top coat for shine and protection.
5. Aftercare: Care for your cuticles with nail oil and don't use your nails as tools. Once the nail has grown out, come back for an infill. Never remove, peel off or file off your gel nails yourself, as this damages the natural nail. You'll find more care tips in the questions below.
Gel Nails in all six Beautylounge studios
Our Gel Nails treatments are available in all Beautylounge studios: Basel 1, Basel 2, Riehen, Pratteln, Oberwil and Reinach. All studios are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 19.00 and on Saturdays from 8.00 to 17.00. Book your appointment online directly with the studio of your choice.
At our nail studio in Basel you'll find the full range for hands and nails, from manicures to Gel Nails. You'll find all prices at a glance in the price list for manicures and Gel Nails.
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You'll find the stamp card in our free app Beautylounge.ch. There you can not only manage your stamps but also book your next beauty appointments at any time. That way you have everything important about your visits to Beautylounge neatly in one place.
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Our prices for Hands & Nails
Hands & Nails | Prices
Gel Nails
CHF
New set of Gel Nails with extensions
109.00
Gel Nails infill, natural
85.00
Nail repair 1 nail (separate appointment)
15.00
Babyboomer | French | Full colour | Chrome
each + 10.00
Repair 1 broken nail (during an infill)
+ 3.00
Full decoration (all 10 nails)
+ 10.00
Plus Luxury Spa Ritual (wellness care as in the Spa Ritual Manicure, with an infill)
+ 48.00
Nail on top: decoration per nail + 3.00 | rhinestone each + 1.00
Manicure*
CHF
Dry Manicure Business with regular polish
48.00
Dry Manicure Business Shellac
83.00
Spa Ritual Manicure with regular polish
84.00
Spa Ritual Manicure Shellac
119.00
Nail on top: incl. keratin polish + 5.00 | Chrome + 10.00 | Natural Shine Finish (nail plate polished) + 5.00
*Removal of old polish always included
Removals
CHF
Professional Shellac removal
53.00
Professional gel | acrylic removal
63.00
incl. regular polish
+ 10.00
incl. keratin polish
+ 5.00
Manicure for men
CHF
Men's Business Manicure
42.00
Men's Spa Ritual Manicure
82.00
incl. regular polish
+ 10.00
incl. keratin polish
+ 5.00
Natural Shine Finish (nail plate polished)
+ 5.00
what our clients say
Sonja R
2/21/2026 via
Phorest Reviews
Phorest Reviews
10 / 10
"The appointment was very pleasant and relaxed. She created beautiful nails for me."
Translated from German.
Isabella Z.
8/13/2026 via
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
4 / 5
Claudia S.
4/2/2025 via
Phorest Reviews
Phorest Reviews
10 / 10
"Very good! I received lots of compliments on my beautiful nails! Jessi does a great job and works quickly."
Translated from German.
Catherine R.
2/19/2026 via
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
5 / 5
Lena L.
2/27/2026 via
Phorest Reviews
Phorest Reviews
10 / 10
"Great, thanks to the flexibility I was able to get my first gel nails and extend my own nails."
Translated from German.
Asamara S.
2/19/2026 via
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
5 / 5
Inessa Kulyk
7/30/2026 via
Phorest Reviews
Phorest Reviews
10 / 10
"Celina is very friendly, polite and highly professional! I love my gel nails, she did a perfect job!"
Lavinia V.
10/30/2026 via
Phorest Reviews
Phorest Reviews
10 / 10
"It was another lovely time out! Just a little time for me, and with great nails I feel better straight away! Service and advice as always top!! ✨"
Translated from German.
Miriam R.
11/30/2025 via
Phorest Reviews
Phorest Reviews
10 / 10
" I'll come back. Laura does my nails exactly the way I want them. And they last really well!! "
Translated from German.
Katinka A.
1/21/2026 via
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
5 / 5
Frequently asked questions about Gel Nails in Basel
Is the treatment painful or uncomfortable?
The treatment is generally painless. Some clients feel a slight warmth during curing, which fades after a few seconds and can easily be adjusted.
Are gel nails harmful because the nail can't breathe?
Nails don't breathe. Just like your hair, they are made of "horn cells" and are supplied with oxygen from the blood through the nail root. The nail also has a natural oily film, which means it couldn't "breathe" anyway.
Can I remove my gel nails myself?
Nail enhancements should never be forced off or filed away at home. Removing them improperly can damage your natural nail. Removal is a job for a professional beautician. The best thing is to book an appointment online or give us a quick call. We'll be happy to help.
Is TPO harmful, and why do you avoid it?
TPO is a substance that used to be used in UV gels to make them cure faster. However, it is suspected of causing skin irritation and, with prolonged exposure, even of being carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting and harmful to fertility.
That is why, since 1 September, we have worked exclusively with products that are completely TPO-free – in line with current standards and legal requirements in Switzerland. So you can be sure that your treatment with us is not only beautiful, but also safe for your health.
Can I wear gel nails if my nails are naturally very thin or brittle?
Yes, in that case gel nails are often a great solution, as they add stability and protect your delicate natural nails. We take care to build the enhancement gently and to suit your nail structure.
What care do my gel nails need at home?
We recommend using nail oil regularly, wearing gloves for housework and not using your nails as tools. This keeps them looking beautiful for longer and noticeably improves their durability.
How are gel nails actually removed?
Gel nails are usually gently filed off, as the material is very durable and does not simply dissolve in solvents. It is carefully removed layer by layer until only a thin protective layer remains on the natural nail, so that it is not damaged.
How safe and hygienic is the treatment?
We work with professional products and the highest hygiene standards. All instruments are thoroughly disinfected or sterilised after every client, so the treatment is completely safe.
What happens if a nail breaks?
If a gel nail breaks or comes loose, it can easily be repaired in the studio. It is important not to pull or file at it yourself, so you don't damage your natural nail.
Gel or acrylic: what is the difference?
Acrylic hardens in the air, often smells unpleasant during application and results in a hard, rather rigid enhancement. Gel cures odourlessly under the LED lamp, can be applied wafer-thin and stays flexible. That is why we work exclusively with gel.
