Why do my gel nails lift? Causes and solutions
The question: Why is my gel lifting?
If your gel lifts or gel nails fall off prematurely, it's almost always due to prep or sealing – not the product itself. Here are the five typical reasons and how to fix them.
The Reasons
Incorrect prep. Gel and gel polish must be applied to a dry, matte, and clean nail. If there is grease or oil on the nail, the product will not bond. Therefore, always finish your prep with dehydrator and primer: the dehydrator removes the last moisture and natural oil from the nail plate, and the primer improves adhesion so the base coat properly adheres.
Lack of sealing. Imagine that base coat and top coat are a set of arms that should "hug" all layers between them. Base and top must meet all the way around the nail – otherwise, it will lift from the edge.
Not wiping between layers. Remember to wipe with a gel wipe between layers if the product requires it.
Product on the cuticle. If the product touches the cuticle or skin, it will lift quickly because it cannot bond there.
Too smooth tips. If you use tips, buff them lightly with a buffer first so the product adheres.
The Solution
If you follow the five points – thorough prep, correct sealing, wiping between layers, keeping product away from the skin, and buffing smooth tips – your nails will last up to 3 weeks. In short, it's about properly preparing the nail and sealing all layers all the way around.
Products we recommend
To make it successful, we recommend:
- A cleanser/Gel Wipe to clean and degrease the nail itself – the first step in good prep → Cleanser
- A dehydrator that removes the last moisture and oil from the nail plate → Dehydrator
- A primer that improves adhesion between nail and base coat, so gel polish lasts longer →Primer
- High-quality base coat and top coat that seal properly → Basecoat + Topcoat
- A buffer to mattify smooth tips and the nail plate → File Buffer
- A cuticle pusher to free the nail plate from the skin → Cuticle Pusher
- A cuticle scissor to cut loose skin from the nail plate and cuticles → Cuticle Scissors
