Why do my gel nails always peel off? (2023)

Why does gel not stay on my nails?

A set of gels should last you around 2-3 weeks. They may have lifted prematurely as the nail plate may not have been prepared correctly before the gel application, or they may not have been capped/sealed at the free edge.

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.

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 main reasons why gel nails lift are due to improper nail preparation, improper gel nail application, using an inefficient curing lamp, nails that are in poor natural condition, using ineffective products and mistreatment of your nails.

One of the biggest causes of premature peeling of gel nails is dry and dehydrated hands and cuticles. Henceforth, remember to slather on some hand cream every time you wash your hands.

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.

Nail technicians recommend at least two coats of color, but the more you do, the more opaque your application. Don't worry if the first one looks streaky -- thin layers will do the job better than thick uneven ones. Cure your polish in between each coat, placing your nails under the lamp for at least 30 seconds each.

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.

Can you over cure gel polish?

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.

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.

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. The key is consistency and regularly scheduled appointments.

Apply cuticle oil regularly

Cuticle oil is the magic ingredient when it comes to keeping your nails healthy and hydrated – and, in turn, helping your gel manicure to last longer. Regularly applying cuticle oil will hydrate your nails, helping them to grow faster and stronger.

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. “An emollient applied directly to the nail and cuticle oil will also aid recovery,” said Batra.

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.

Nail technicians recommend at least two coats of color, but the more you do, the more opaque your application. Don't worry if the first one looks streaky -- thin layers will do the job better than thick uneven ones. Cure your polish in between each coat, placing your nails under the lamp for at least 30 seconds each.

This sticky layer is normal and helps the other layer of polish to adhere to it. Only the sticky layer of a gel top coat needs to be wiped away. Now to tell if your gel polish is cured you need to look: If the color of the gel polish smudges when you apply the top coat – the top coat should be able to apply smoothly.