Why does my gel keep coming off? (2023)

Why do my gel nails come off so easily?

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 will peel off.

No, it is not normal for gel nails to come off in such a short amount of time. 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.

Now the main reasons why gel polish tends to lift or peel off are: The cuticles were not prepped properly. The nails were not filed before gel polish application. The nail plate had too much moisture & oil.

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.

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.

The main and only real cause of nail damage with gel polish is the action of prying or forcing the polish off the nail. As time-consuming as it could be, taking the extra step to soak off gel polish will ensure that you can repeat gel manicures one after the other without harming your natural nails.

3 thin coats is better than 2 thick ones.

This is especially true when working with gel polish. The thicker the application, the less the LED or UV light can travel through it to cure it properly. Resulting in premature peeling and all that hard work of yours will have gone to waste.

How long should you cure gel nails?

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.

Acrylic nails usually only last about a week or slightly longer if you take care of them well. Gel nails can last up to 14 days without any chipping. If you have long nails or extensions, you should think in terms of durability. Long gel nails have a good amount of strength and flexibility.

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.

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.

“With gel polish, your manicure can last from two to three weeks, but with regular polish you're lucky if it lasts five to seven days without chipping,” Kristin Pulaski, owner of Paintbucket Nails in Brooklyn, tells SELF.

"Gel manicures could last up to two weeks with proper nail prep and at-home care, such as cuticle oil and hand lotion," says Duguay-Gordon. But if you're careful, they can last up to four weeks.

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.

Gel polish lasts between 2-3 weeks at the minimum, while regular polish is lucky to go a week without chipping. With light wear, your gel nails last at least twice as long as a normal polish, but realistically they get you four to six times a standard manicure mileage.

Doing it too often can cause nails to become brittle. Removing hard gels is even more damaging in the long term. They need to be filed off and that can damage the nails and cuticles. If possible, take a break between gel manicures every so often.

Does gel ruin your nails?

Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.

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.

Do you Need to Wipe Gel Nails Between Coats. It's important to understand that you don't need to remove the sticky layer from every layer of gel polish. You just need to wipe off the sticky layer on your top coat and not between every coat.

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.

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.

Why are my gel nails tacky after applying a base coat? All of your gel coats will feel tacky after curing. It's the tackiness which allows each subsequent coat to stick.

The LED bulb is able to cure gel polish dry in half the time needed vs. UV bulbs. Also, LED lamps don't generate heat in the way that UV lamps do, and the LED bulb never needs to be replaced.

Acrylic nails are generally cheaper than gel nail application.

"For a gel extension, your nail needs to have a little length, not a ton but just a bit," says Davis. "If your nails are too short, there isn't anything for the extension to stick to."

What kind of fake nails last the longest?

Dip Nails Last Longer

One of the biggest advantages of dip nails is their longevity. Whilst acrylic nails tend to last between two to three weeks before needing a touch-up at the salon, dip nails can last up to four weeks. Dip nails also last longer than gels.

“Nails do not need to 'breathe,” says Dr. Dana Stern, an NYC dermatologist and nail specialist who also has her own line of nail care products and polishes. “This is a myth! Nails receive their nutrients, oxygen, and blood supply from the blood stream and not from the air.”

Constant use of acrylics can affect can your nail growth over time weakening your nails, making them prone to breakage. In addition, they dry out the natural oils on your nails making them more prone to splitting. This is much worse if MMA is used because it makes your nails more sensitive to trauma.

While wearing nail polish all the time won't stop your nails from growing, it does damage your nail integrity. Even with blood supply, nails do still need air to “breathe”. That's why a break from nail polish every few weeks is a must. For keratin granulation, 3 to 4 weeks will be enough time to give your nails a rest.

Gel polish lasts between 2-3 weeks at the minimum, while regular polish is lucky to go a week without chipping. With light wear, your gel nails last at least twice as long as a normal polish, but realistically they get you four to six times a standard manicure mileage.

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.

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.

While the beauty world is kindaaaa split on this answer, the time you take between gel manicures is entirely up to you. “I've had gel on my nails for four years straight,” says Lim. “If you're applying and removing it properly, there's no harm in getting gel manicures back-to-back.”

Simply put, dip powder polymers are stronger than those found in gel polish, and, therefore, dip manicures will generally last longer — up to five weeks, if properly cared for.