Manicure using gel polish has been at the peak of popularity for several years now - it is valued for its durability and unsurpassed appearance. But very often you don’t have to enjoy the beauty of a manicure for long and annoying cracks appear on perfect nails.
A flawless manicure is the calling card of a well-groomed woman. But even modern coatings do not allow you to admire the beauty of your nails for a long time - chores around the house can significantly shorten the life of a new manicure . You will learn how to preserve the beauty of painted nails longer from this article.
Why does gel polish and shellac crack on extended nails?
It's always nice to have well-groomed nails. Modern technologies allow us to use gel polish or shellac, which lasts about 2-3 weeks and rarely cracks on the nails. But sometimes such a coating begins to crack much earlier .
If a manicure done with gel polish cracks earlier than two weeks, then it was done poorly
Necessary conditions for manicure on artificial nails to look aesthetically pleasing and last as long as possible:
- The nail plate should not be damaged after the nail extension procedure. If the nail plate is thin, red, or has significant damage, then it is better to postpone applying polish and wait until a healthy nail grows. Otherwise, the varnish coating will quickly become cracked and lose its well-groomed appearance.
- The artificial nail plate should be thin . If you apply gel polish to a nail that is not initially thin, then the nail plate after applying the gel coating will become at least 2 times thicker, which will certainly affect the visual characteristics of the manicure
- Gel polish (shellac) must be applied to the nail with mandatory adherence to the technique of applying gel coatings. Neglecting the rules of technique for applying gel polish (shellac) is the most common reason for a manicure not to last long.
External reasons
Women often believe that by getting a gel manicure they can easily do many things without the risk of losing the beauty of their nails. But this is far from true. Washing dishes without rubber gloves, constant cleaning, ironing, cooking - all this leaves a negative imprint on the manicure.
Frequent contact with water or household chemicals
Do you want to prolong the beauty of your nails? Use gloves! This simple accessory will protect the skin of your hands and nails from hard water, detergents and rough scrapers. Constant contact with household chemicals and water shortens the wearing of the coating significantly.
Preventative measures to preserve manicure
Poor quality materials
Incorrect application or poor-quality treatment of the nail plates before coating are not all the reasons for the transience of the beauty of a manicure. High-quality gel polish is the key to the success of durability and effectiveness of the coating. Buying gel polish for pennies on a Chinese trading platform is not an option, and you should not expect super quality from such products.
Manufacturers insist that it is the combination of products at all stages of coating of one brand that gives a guaranteed and lasting result. This often happens, but compatibility between different manufacturers can often give a positive result. In order not to waste even a little money, it is better to choose materials in the mid-price segment and above. As a rule, very inexpensive components for coating nails (including regular varnish) do not give a lasting result, even with the correct coating technology.
Presence of diseases
It is better to postpone nail extensions or the procedure for applying gel polish if the nails are a little “sick”: layers have appeared, the skin around them has become rough, and the plate itself has turned yellow or acquired a grayish tint. There is a fungus in the nails or the skin around them. The solution is treatment. And only then preening.
Nail fungus
It is also believed that the general condition of the body also affects the period of wearing gel polish coating or after nail extensions. For example, the gel peels off much faster if the beauty procedure was carried out during menstruation or during pregnancy. It is also not recommended to paint your nails if you have a common ARVI or an allergy to pollen during an exacerbation.
Why does gel polish crack at the tips of my nails?
Not all representatives of the fair sex can boast of strong nails . Unfortunately, many people have problem nails. Such nail plates are weak, bend and often peel.
Gel polish will not last long on a weak nail plate.
The varnish on the tips of such nails quickly cracks. We have to carry out the correction procedure again and again. The varnish on the tips of the nails cracks for the following reasons:
- Long nails - remove the length of the nail and leave a small free edge so that the nails cannot bend
- Peeling nail plate , if your nails are peeling, just file off the detachments from the nail and then the gel polish will last a long time
- Failure to follow application technique - follow the technique of applying gel polishes and preparing the nail plate. Don't forget to seal the edge of the nail
Prevention measures
To prevent cracking of the coating, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Take proper care of your nails.
- Try to avoid exposure to external factors.
- Don't bite your nails.
- Strengthen the plate with a special preparation.
- Do not scrape off gel polish with a metal tool.
- To remove manicure, use only a special product - remover.
- Wear gloves when doing laundry, washing dishes and doing household work.
- Do not visit solariums and saunas often.
- It is advisable not to do a manicure during menstruation, as well as in the early and late stages of pregnancy.
- In frosty weather, wear gloves or mittens.
- Get your manicure done only by a qualified professional.
If you follow these rules, cracking of the gel polish can be avoided.
Why does gel polish crack on natural nails?
Annoying cracks often occur on gel polish applied to natural nails. Let's look at the most common reasons for this phenomenon:
- Neglecting the rules of gel polish application technique. The process of applying gel polish has three components: base, color coating and top . Each layer must be applied in turn and you cannot skip any of these stages, strictly following the technology.
The main reason for the fragility of a manicure is non-compliance with the standards of its implementation.
- It should be dried in a UV lamp with a power of at least 36 Watts , otherwise there is a risk that the varnish will not dry completely, which will affect its wear. It is imperative to seal the edges of the nails and under no circumstances go beyond the boundaries of the nail plate, which will also affect how long the polish will last.
- Failure to follow the rules for preparing the nail plate before applying varnish. First of all, it is necessary to properly prepare the nail plate for the upcoming procedure, otherwise the material will not adhere well, which will lead to detachment
Important: before applying gel polish, do not use hand creams or other greasy hygiene products.
On a “greasy” nail plate, gel polish will not last very long.
Treat the cuticle of the nail as thoroughly as possible and degrease the surface of the nail plate, removing shine and gloss from the nail. Apply varnish only to dry and clean nails , eliminating the possibility of small debris getting on the nail when applying varnish.
- Problem nails. Such nails include weak, soft, bending nails. In this case, you need to remove the length , since the gel polish will not stick to such nails. It is necessary to leave a small free edge so that the nails cannot bend. If your nails are peeling, then you just need to file off the detachments from the nail and only then prepare the nail for coating with gel polish.
- Mechanical damage to the nail plate. Frequent interaction with water and household chemicals leads to undesirable results and affects the condition of the nails. Gel polish reacts to temperature changes, which leads to cracks. There is only one solution - use special gloves
Try to take care of your new manicure and avoid mechanical damage
- Individual intolerance to the material. Various diseases, including allergic reactions, hormonal imbalance, taking antibiotics, menstruation, pregnancy can cause your gel polish to crack.
- Improper storage of the material, expired varnish or counterfeit affect the duration of manicure wear, and can also lead to unforeseen consequences.
How to avoid cracking gel polish?
Cracking of the coating (either gel or gel polish) can be avoided if you adhere to a few basic rules:
- use proven materials for the extension procedure (read on forums and review sites to purchase a more or less “proven” product);
- A long-lasting manicure can be obtained only after following the application technology with all stages: polishing, dehydration, degreasing, base, color, top;
- The preparation of the plate should be carried out carefully, removing all delaminations and damage with a buff. If necessary, strengthen your nails in advance with bio-gel or acrylic;
- It is best to remove gel polish from natural nails by soaking the coating to minimize damage to the nail. When cutting off gel polish with a router, carefully remove only the colored layer, leaving the base untouched.
Popular vloggers will not be able to explain all the nuances of coating nails with gel polish. Therefore, you should not rely only on their advice and expect super results. As they say: “Everything comes with experience.” But each time it is better to draw conclusions so as not to repeat previous mistakes.
Why does gel polish crack on thin nails?
If you have thin and flaking nails, then gel polish will not last as well as on strong nails. These recommendations will help extend the “life” of your manicure:
- Strengthen weak nails, and only after that apply gel polish
- It is advisable to use an additional nail strengthener immediately before applying nail polish.
If you use a fixative over the gel polish, the manicure will delight you with its appearance much longer.
- Be sure to seal each layer of coating, as well as the edge of the nail.
- Constantly sweaty hands and damp palms create the effect of “wet” nails . Moisture prevents good adhesion of the material. This deficiency can be corrected by treating the free edge of the nail with special products, such as ultrabond, dehydrator or acid-free primer. This will help dry the nail plate better, which will enhance the adhesion of the material to the nail plate.
- Overly damaged and weakened nails certainly require treatment. Therefore, while restoring your nails, it is better to refrain from applying polish and wait until they grow back.
Important: Apply gel polish to healthy nails to avoid unpleasant surprises, including deterioration of the nail plate.
Other factors
External factors affecting the strength of the coating include:
- Nails too thin. In order for the gel polish to better adhere to the plate, you need to apply a base coat, or thoroughly treat fragile nails.
- Taking antibiotics. Taking medications may be incompatible with the elements that make up the gel polish, so it is better to refrain from visiting a nail salon during antibiotic treatment.
- Critical days. Doctors have proven that it is not recommended to apply the gel during this period; it may be rejected due to a sharp change in hormonal levels.
- Frequent contact with chemicals that have an aggressive effect on nails. Household chemicals can cause the coating to peel off.
- Materials from different lines. Top coat, base coat and gel polish must be of the same brand and from the same line. Different components are usually incompatible.
- Individual intolerance can only be identified experimentally. If the coating constantly cracks, regardless of where the manicure was performed and with what means, then you will have to use varnish to create a manicure or look for a gel polish of a brand that does not cause such reactions.
- Poor quality products. It is better to choose materials that have already been tested by several craftsmen, especially those that have proven themselves in the market.
- Temperature changes. You need to take care of your nails, especially in winter, wear gloves or mittens on your hands when a girl is outside.
- The presence of fungus will cause chips. If a nail with gel polish is cracked in an area affected by fungus , the master is unlikely to agree to correction, since responsibility in this matter lies with the client.
Why does acrylic varnish crack?
Acrylic varnish, unlike conventional varnishes, is considered one of the safest and most environmentally friendly, as it has virtually no toxic substances .
Acrylic varnish is gentle on the nail plate, unlike other coatings.
The varnish covers the nail with a durable film, which carefully protects it from the harmful effects of household chemicals and water, which have the property of softening the nail plate. Thanks to this, the manicure is reliably protected from delamination and cracking .
The nail plate coated with acrylic varnish is smooth and free of scratches, which makes the varnish last longer.
The procedure for applying acrylic varnishes is the same as for gel varnishes. The only difference is that there is no need to use a UV lamp . And, of course, you should make sure that the layers are not too thick. Otherwise, the coating will begin to bubble and crack.
Acrylic varnish must be applied in a thin layer
External factors
The appearance of cracks in the gel coating can also be influenced by the owner of the manicure. There is a misconception that gel-strengthened nails are so practical that they cannot be affected by environmental factors. Let's list the most common ones. So, why does gel polish crack on extended and artificial nails:
- High humidity and temperature. These negative factors can quickly destroy gel polish. So, visiting a sauna and solarium will have a detrimental effect on your manicure. Frequent hand washing also has a negative impact. Therefore, when choosing a gel coating for their nails, ladies should take into account the scope of their activity.
- Mechanical loads. As you know, with the slightest mechanical stress, the native nail plate bends. The gel layer cannot bend, it simply cracks at the edges. Owners of soft and flexible nails especially often face this problem.
- Cold. Low temperatures are considered another factor that has a destructive effect on nails. In winter, hands should be hidden to prevent the gel from peeling off, cracks appearing, and color fading.
- Homework. When washing dishes and wet cleaning, the gel interacts with all kinds of household chemicals, which leads to its destruction. Therefore, all manipulations should be performed with rubber gloves.
Why does gel polish crack after a day or a week?
It is very unpleasant to notice that after just a couple of days the gel manicure chips, becomes covered in bubbles and begins to crack. The reasons given below will help you figure out why the varnish does not stick:
- Incorrect application technique
- Improper preparation of the nail plate
- Problem nails
- Mechanical impact
- "Wet" nails
- Bad material
- Body condition
- Improper storage of gel polish
- Complex pigment gel polish
- Bad master
- Individual intolerance to the material
It is very important to properly prepare your nails before creating a manicure.
We hope that the most common options listed will help you understand what exactly caused the poor performance of your manicure.
What to do if gel polish cracks?
It happens that the crack grows along the nail . There is an urgent need to act here. The nail grows, and along with it the crack grows, expanding and spreading to the sides. In such a situation, there is a risk of injuring soft tissues and infecting the nail plate.
Cracks in gel polish can be repaired at home
The easiest way is to repair the crack using biogel and fiber tape . Fiber tape and biogel hold the structure of the nail well and do not allow it to diverge. In addition, biogel reliably protects the nail plate and promotes rapid restoration of damaged tissue.
You can also seal your nail with acrylic . This material is considered the most durable and is often used to treat cracks.
If the nail is cracked in the middle, then it can be repaired by applying shellac , after filing and sanding the nail plate. Such a crack is usually not mistaken for a serious problem, although it should be treated with no less attention.
A crack in gel polish most often occurs due to its poor quality.
But it also happens that the varnish cracks unexpectedly, and there is absolutely no time to visit the salon! There are several ways to eliminate this problem at home:
- Take a nail file and sand the damaged area well
- Apply a buff . This will level the surface of the nail and make it smooth.
- Cover the nail with glue and wait until it dries completely.
- Place a piece of paper napkin or silk cloth on the nail and cover it with glue again
- Secure the repaired nail with a buff
This procedure will prevent the crack from spreading further for some time. But you shouldn’t delay visiting the master.
If you repaired one nail, but the problem appeared on the other. Don't leave nail salons, but endless adjustments don't give results? In this case, you need to visit a doctor .
If a manicure with gel polish loses its aesthetics too quickly every time, visit a doctor!
The specialist will prescribe diagnostics to identify skin diseases, allergic reactions, and fungal infections. A comprehensive examination will help determine the condition of the body and identify ailments. Follow your doctor's recommendations and your nails will look flawless.
How to apply gel polish so that it doesn't crack?
First of all, it is necessary to properly prepare the nail plate for the upcoming procedure. First you need to degrease the nail, carefully remove the pterygium and treat the area near the cuticle. Give the nail a “matte” shade using a grinder or buff, removing unnecessary shine.
When applying the coating, it is necessary to take into account the compatibility of the components used , the incompatibility of which with each other can also lead to a short-lived manicure.
To create a manicure, choose only trusted professionals with a good reputation.
Each layer of coating must be applied extremely carefully. Before applying the next layer, make sure that the previous one is thoroughly dry . It should also be noted that applying too thick or thin a layer of basecoat or varnish will lead to rapid deterioration of the appearance and cracks.
And, of course, do not forget about the quality of the products used . Don’t save money and buy good quality products from well-known brand manufacturers.
The best gel nail polish companies
There are a large number of gel polish manufacturers. As demand grows, so does supply. At the same time, the risk of falling for a low-quality product or a fake increases. Therefore, it is worth purchasing materials from trusted manufacturers.
Undoubtedly, brands from American manufacturers such as Gelish, Jesika Geleration, Kodi, Cnd . Popular among our consumers is Shellak gel polish from the Cnd company.
Modern cosmetology offers a wide selection of gel polishes for every taste and budget.
Varnishes from European manufacturers (Masura, OPI) are not so in demand, although the quality is in no way inferior to their American colleagues. They make ratings of Chinese polishes from brands such as Canni, Cristina, etc.
Of course, the quality of Chinese products is far from impeccable , they are less convenient to use, but their affordable prices make them quite attractive to consumers.
In the countries of the post-Soviet space, gel polish from CND is very popular.
Gel polishes from Russian manufacturers receive fairly positive reviews. Companies such as RuNail and Aurelia . They have good quality and an affordable price, which is why they confidently conquer the market.
