How do I make my at home gel nails last longer? (2023)

How do I make my at home gel nails last longer?

Add a thin layer of clear polish over your nails after one week. A great way to prevent chipping gel polish is to reapply a topcoat about a week after the gel manicure. You can use a gel topcoat and cure it with the light. Or, you can use regular clear nail polish and let it air dry.

The gel top coat usually peels off if it isn't cured properly, or has been applied over a colour gel or acrylic nails that have been wiped down with isopropyl alcohol. Each layer of gel is sticky and bonds to the next one, so if the tacky layer is removed, the next layer of polish will not adhere and peel off.

The most common reason why the top coat starts peeling after one day is because the top coat isn't cured properly. Sometimes this is a top coat formula and lamp compatibility issue - or that you just need to cure the top coat for longer.

If your nails have too much moisture or oil on them, the polish peels off much sooner than it should. To prevent this, you can try cleaning your nails with alcohol pads or nail polish remover before applying the polish. You can also try applying a base coat or buffing your nails first.

“Lifting occurs when there isn't a correct bond between the product and the nail plate. Therefore, the best way to prevent lifting is through proper prep of the nail plate and product control. It's important to be very thorough when removing cuticle stuck to the nail plate—a quick swipe of the file isn't enough!

Gel nails can chip or peel due to the use of low-quality gel products, damage by the client, improper removal or preparation of the nail plate.

For gel nails, take a break for a week at least once every eight weeks to allow the nails to rehydrate and to allow repair of the underlying structures.

Remove natural nail oils and any excess dust from the nail using a Lint-free Wipe and Gel Residue Wipe off Solution. Once all nails are clean and free of any debris, apply a layer of Naio Nails Prep/Dehydrator to dehydrate. Be sure to avoid touching your nails at this stage to ensure you have a clean base to work on.

The magic number is four. A base coat, two coats of color, and a topcoat. This is the recipe for a perfect at-home manicure. Now, let's take a look at the difference between a base coat and a top coat.

What happens if you over cured gel nails?

Over-curing a gel is possible. Some gels will discolor when over-cured and some will lose the gloss, while others will do both or neither. So much of this depends on the gel and the curing light. Each manufacturer should be able to assist the nail technician in what issues they may see with over-curing the product.

Since gel nail polish can be worn for weeks on end without even the tiniest chip, stretching the life of your manicure is tempting. However, Hadley suggests removing a gel manicure after two to three weeks maximum to avoid damaging nail beds and cuticles.

Great news for all nail enthusiasts. You can paint over gel nail polish with regular nail polish. Not only is it possible, but it is frequently done. Many people paint over their gel nail polish to spice up their look or to hide a chipped nail from prying eyes.

Cure the nails with color gel for 60 seconds under a LED lamp or 2 min under a UV lamp. Cure the nails for 60 seconds under a LED lamp or 2 min under a UV lamp. If you applied a no wipe topcoat, it's finished. If you applied a wipe topcoat, remove the tacky layer with 90% rubbing alcohol.

It works by creating a bond so your nail gels and acrylics can effectively adhere to your natural nails.

Looking after our nails is so important to keep them looking their best and to keep our general body health in check. So remember to take a break every three or four weeks to help our nails restore and build back some strength.

In between appointments, get your gel soaked off and treat your nails with moisturisers or cuticle oil. Like most nail treatments, it is advised to give your nails a few days break before reapplying, so go on a gel diet every now and then to keep your nails happy and healthy.

Sometimes gel will leave a tacky residue after curing, which you can simply wipe off with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. Then you're good to go!

Most gel clients can easily go 3-4 weeks between fills. However, it can be beneficial to start out with 2-week intervals until you see how she is adapting to her nails. As time progresses the intervals can be extended to 3 or 4 weeks.

Should you soak nails before gel manicure?

You see, moisture will try to escape from the nails. And that might cause the polish to separate from the nail, so the polish will likely chip sooner. Not soaking the nails ensure that your manicure lasts longer.

So if you are going to be doing your own nails, don't soak them in water, even if the nail salons do it. Promise. And try to wait at least 30 mins to 1 hour after a shower before applying gel on your nails! Gel hates a lot of things, but its number one favorite thing it hates is smooth and shiny surfaces.

The clear base coat is applied first to the natural nail to secure to the nail bed and act as an adhesive bed for the pigment to fasten. Top coat is then applied over the polish to seal in the color and protect it.

Yes, your gel will be slightly tacky to the touch after you have cured each coat. This is so that the next coat can properly adhere to the previous one. Once you have applied your Top Coat, you will need to wipe with cleanser to remove the tacky layer to finish your manicure.

Gel Base Coats usually cure within 15-25 seconds. Whilst Gel Top Coats takes around 45-60 seconds to cure. But when you are not sure it is always better to over cure your gel polish than under curing them.

2-Minute Wait

Waiting for your nails to dry can feel like forever and we get it, you have things to do. But the good news is, you'll only need a 2-minute drying time between coats. This works perfectly every time. These 120 seconds are crucial for your manicure so that the coats dry perfectly.

It sounds like the gel-polish is not fully cured. If you are using a traditional UV lamp, make sure the bulbs are fresh. You need to change them out every three months or so. It is also possible that you are applying the gel-polish too thick.

Many nail places offer additional mini-treatments for a bit of extra cash, and they can add anywhere from 5 to 35 minutes of time depending on where you go and what you choose. One of the most popular add-ons is the gel manicure, which tacks on another 15 minutes or so to the normal treatment.

Dull gels can be caused by a few different problems. The most common have to do with curing, file grit, and oil residue on the nail. If gel is not cured for the entire recommended time, it can appear dull. Always follow the manufacturer's suggested time.