Why Does Gel Polish Lift From the Nails?
If the coating starts lifting from several nails at once, the first thing to check is the manicure application technique.
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Incorrect Nail Plate Preparation.
Adhesion is the bonding of the product to the natural nail. If dust, moisture, oil, or traces of pterygium remain between them, the adhesion becomes weaker. Excessively aggressive filing can also thin the nail plate and, in itself, negatively affect wear time.
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Pterygium Remains on the Nail.
Even a thin film in the cuticle area can act as a barrier between the nail and the base. The coating does not come into direct contact with the nail plate in this area and gradually starts to lift.
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Product Gets on the Skin.
Base, color, or top coat flooding onto the cuticle and sidewalls is one of the most common causes of early lifting. During polymerization, the product adheres not to the nail but partially to the skin. When the skin moves, the coating starts to lift, allowing air to get underneath. Therefore, it is better to work with a thin layer around the cuticle and leave a neat technical gap.
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Layers Are Too Thick.
A large amount of product does not make the manicure stronger. A thick layer may polymerize less effectively inside, heat up more strongly in the lamp, and create additional stress on the natural nail.
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Products Have Not Cured Properly.
If the lamp is not powerful enough, is malfunctioning, or the product remains in it for less than the recommended time, polymerization may be incomplete.
Why Does Gel Polish Lift Around the Cuticle?
As a result, lifting in this area often appears first. Here, the problem is usually related not to the coating itself but to preparation and application.
One of the reasons is an insufficiently prepared cuticle area. If pterygium remains on the nail plate, the product will not be able to bond securely to it.
Another possibility is base or gel polish flooding onto the skin. Even if the manicure looks perfect immediately after the procedure, lifting may appear after a few days where the coating comes into contact with the cuticle.
It is also important to consider nail growth. The longer the client wears the coating, the farther the product moves away from the cuticle, while the load on the nail’s architecture changes. Therefore, timely correction is important not only from an aesthetic point of view.
Why Does Gel Polish Lift at the Tips?
If the product starts chipping or lifting specifically from the free edge, special attention should be paid to the nail tip.
When applying the base, color, and top coat, the free edge should be carefully sealed if this is required by the application technology of the particular coating. An unprotected edge is constantly exposed to water, clothing, keyboards, and various surfaces. Over time, microcracks appear, allowing moisture to penetrate between the nail and the product.
Another reason is mechanical stress. Long nails are especially prone to impacts and bending during everyday activities. However, even short nails can be affected by constant pressure on keys, opening cans, or using the nail plate as a tool.
Could the Cause Be the Products?
The base, color, and top coat should be compatible with one another and suitable for the characteristics of the natural nail plate.
Randomly combining products from different brands does not always work well. Formulas, viscosity, flexibility, and polymerization characteristics vary between manufacturers. Therefore, when selecting a system, it is better to follow the brand’s recommendations.
The condition of the nails is also important. For a thin and flexible nail plate, a material that is too rigid may be unsuitable because the natural nail will bend while the coating remains more rigid, resulting in cracks and lifting.
Causes Related to the Client
Even a perfectly performed manicure can be quickly damaged during wear. The durability of the coating can be affected by:
- constant contact with water and household chemicals;
- cleaning and washing dishes without gloves;
- the habit of biting nails or peeling off the coating;
- attempts to open things with the nails;
- impacts and excessive mechanical stress;
- increased moisture of the hands;
- the characteristics and condition of the natural nail plate.
The client should also know that immediately before a manicure, it is not recommended to apply a rich moisturizing cream or soak the hands. The nail plate absorbs moisture, while traces of oils can interfere with product adhesion.
Why Can the Nail Hurt Under Gel Polish?
The cause of pain under the coating should be determined quickly, especially if the discomfort is severe or appeared after the procedure.
Sometimes discomfort occurs due to excessive filing of the natural nail plate. If the nail has become too thin, it may react even to normal pressure.
Another possible cause is excessive heating of the product during polymerization. The client may experience a sharp burning sensation while the nails are curing in the lamp. This sensation may be related to rapid heat release, especially when the layer is too thick or the nails are thin.
How to Extend Gel Polish Wear Time?
The technician should follow the proper application technology, control the thickness of the layers, prevent flooding, and ensure complete polymerization.
If the client experiences repeated lifting despite following the proper application technology, it is worth paying attention to the condition of their natural nails, hand moisture, and individual characteristics. In some cases, the cause may be changes in the body or the use of certain medications — in such cases, it is better to discuss the issue with a doctor.
The technician should also explain to the client the basic but important aftercare rules that affect the service life of the coating. Proper preparation, compatible products, quality polymerization, careful application, and proper home care all work together.
