Should I use epoxy resin or polymer clay for fine detail work?

I have been working on a series of small figurines that require extremely fine surface detail. My current workflow involves carving the basic shape from polymer clay, then adding texture with a fine‑pointed tool. However, I am uncertain whether to finish the piece with a clear epoxy resin coat or to continue building up the details using polymer clay alone.

Epoxy resin provides a hard, glass‑like surface that protects the work and can enhance depth when tinted, yet it tends to obscure the tactile quality of the material and can be difficult to sand without damaging delicate features. Polymer clay, on the other hand, allows for additional sculpting after the initial bake, preserving the ability to refine edges, but it may not achieve the same level of durability or gloss.

I am particularly concerned about the risk of trapping air bubbles under the resin, which could ruin the fine lines I have painstakingly created. Conversely, I worry that repeated baking cycles for polymer clay might weaken the structural integrity of the piece.

Has anyone encountered this dilemma in their own practice? What criteria do you prioritize when choosing between a protective resin coat and further clay work for intricate sculptures? I would appreciate any detailed experiences or recommended techniques to mitigate the drawbacks of each approach??