Gel Manicure

Gel polish provides long-term manicure options with an elegant luster. At an appointment for this service, nails are first buffed so the polish adheres properly before being cured with UV/LED light between color layers.

Experts advise applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before receiving a gel manicure or donning opaque fingerless gloves. Regular gel manicures increase the risk of an acrylate allergy which may lead to lifted nails or rashes on hands.

Preparation

Gel polish has several distinct advantages over regular nail polish, such as lasting longer (usually 2 -3 weeks) and giving nails a more natural appearance, being easy to apply quickly, removing easily, and providing easy removal.

Your technician should begin by thoroughly cleaning and filing your nails, trimming soft cuticles if necessary, and clearing away any residue on the nail plate with a lint-free wipe saturated in isopropyl alcohol to ensure a proper adhesion of base coat and to avoid streaking.

Technicians will then apply and cure a base coat with UV light before sealing off free edge nails with sealant and applying glossy topcoat for extra shine.

Application

Gel polish applies directly onto your natural nails for greater durability – often lasting up to three weeks before needing maintenance. Acrylic nails typically cover your natural nailbed as an enhancement and must be added layer upon layer over time for further wear and tear.

Apply a thin coat of gel base coat over each nail to protect it from chipping. Capping off each free edge with this initial application helps seal them and is recommended in order to prevent chips. Normally, nails remain sticky after application of base coat.

Buff your nails to create a smooth surface for applying polish. However, avoid over buffing as excessive buffing can cause nail brittleness.

Start by applying a thin coat of your desired hue; this will create a more opaque appearance than thick, uneven coats. Apply several thin layers instead of one thick one – and be sure to cure each layer under a UV or LED lamp in between each application – this is key for maintaining long-term manicure success!

Curing

Gel manicures typically last three weeks and provide you with a high-shine finish. There are three layers involved: base coat, two color layers and topcoat that all need to be cured under UV or LED lamps for proper adhesion.

As part of the application process, it’s crucial that gel polish be applied in thin coats according to product instructions. Overdoing it or flooding the nail plate may inhibit proper curing and lead to lift off.

Before applying base and color coats to nails, it is also crucial that the cuticles be pushed back and cleansed, as any oil, dirt or nail powder could compromise adhesion and shorten its lifespan.

Avoid biting your nails to strengthen natural nail strength and avoid early lifting, and regularly moisturize nails and hands with cuticle oil (BIAB Builder in a Bottle is highly recommended), to keep plates hydrated and avoid early lifting; especially important after receiving a manicure and during hot weather.

Removal

Though gel polish may outlive traditional nail polish in terms of longevity, improper removal can be damaging to nails and skin. To minimize risk, follow strict removal instructions. It is also essential that no picking or scraping occurs as this could damage natural nail beds and cuticles resulting in further complications down the line.

Nail technicians should use a coarse file to break open the top coat seal before soaking a sponge with acetone and placing it over each nail for 10-15 minutes, to soak and gently remove polish with their sponge, before using a wooden cuticle pusher to gently push away any remaining bits of gel that refuse to come off on its own. Doing this may result in both nail and cuticle damage if forced off too forcefully.

Dip Powder is another popular solution, unlike gel which requires UV curing for curing, it can simply be removed by soaking the nails in pure acetone for removal – and is therefore much gentler on both nails and skin than its counterpart.