The gel nails are better for the nail bed, but acrylic will last longer. Make sure you go to a clean place, you don't want to get an infected nail especially with acrylic.

My mother-in-law had acrylic nails for a long time and finally decided to stop wearing them. Her natural nails had become very thin from the chemicals. Took a while to grow back.

I would try the Sally Hansen hard as nails polish or something like it to strengthen the nails before you get the fake ones. It's cheaper!