Why shellac does not last long on nails: main reasons and recommendations

In recent years, shellac has become the most popular tool for creating the perfect manicure. Long-term coverage, the ability to choose from a wide range of colors, as well as strengthening of nails - this is an incomplete list of the advantages of shellac.

However, many women note poor durability of the coating and rapid peeling of the gel from the nail plate. This fact makes some people completely abandon shellac in their manicure. But you shouldn’t do this without understanding why shellac doesn’t stick to your nails. Often the causes of this phenomenon are very easy to eliminate and once again be satisfied with the ideal coating.

How long should shellac last?

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Gel nail coating, which is often called “shellac,” has a certain shelf life. On average it should last about 2-3 weeks. If the gel polish begins to peel off before this time, it means that mistakes were made during the manicure. An important role is played by the quality of the varnishes themselves and other products that were used before and after painting the nails. Some women have an individual intolerance to shellac. In this case, they will have to find other ways to create a flawless manicure.

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After two weeks of wear, the coating grows strongly and a white stripe appears near the cuticle. This fact should not affect the service life of shellac in any way. Nails should grow evenly and the gel polish should remain in place. Therefore, there is no need to immediately go to redo the coating. The only thing that would be advisable to do is a new manicure without removing the nail polish. However, many women like to change it at the same time. In this case, the manicurist is not to blame for premature removal of shellac.

What shellac should look like

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For the first two weeks, shellac should be in perfect condition with the correct application technique. There should be no cracks, chips or any other deformations on it. After two weeks of wear, small flaws are allowed to appear, which is normal for a woman’s active life. Nails are constantly in contact with detergents, household chemicals, and are also subject to constant friction and exposure. That is why many manicurists give a two-week guarantee for wearing shellac. If the coating begins to deteriorate long before the end of this period, this means poor quality work by the person who made it.

Shellac application procedure

Correct application of the gel coating ensures long-lasting manicure wear, as well as its neat appearance. After quality work, no one has any questions regarding why shellac does not stick to nails. Every professional master who has undergone appropriate training must know all the stages of coating nails with shellac. Therefore, before placing yourself in his hands, you need to make sure that he has the appropriate work experience and knowledge.

You should also ask him about the materials that will be used in the process of applying gel polish to nails. After making sure that all manicure tools are completely sterile and the master is a good specialist, you can trust him with your fingers. The procedure for applying shellac consists of the following steps:

• First of all, you need to prepare the nail plate. To do this, remove the overgrown cuticle, level the nail plate, and then shape the free edges, giving it the desired shape.
• Then the nails are degreased using special products.
• After this, the master applies a primer, which will ensure a tight bond of the base to the nail plate.
• A special shellac base is applied. The service life of the gel coating depends on its quality and correct application technique.
• The base layer is dried in a special ultraviolet lamp. An LED lamp can also be used to dry nails.
• After this, the specialist applies a thin layer of the desired color varnish to the nails. After each layer, the shellac is dried in a lamp for at least 60 seconds. You may need 1 to 3 coats of color depending on the consistency of the gel polish.
• Finally, the master applies a thin layer of top gel, which completes the manicure procedure. The top coat ensures shellac color durability and shine.

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If you follow the correct technique for applying shellac, your manicure will last for at least two weeks without any chips, peelings or scratches on your nails. In this case, no one will have questions about why shellac does not stick to nails.

So why does gel polish peel off quickly?

Poor cuticle processing

The preparatory manicure must be carried out efficiently, completely removing the overgrown pterygium. In addition, the roller area must be carefully processed. If the cuticle was poorly treated, then it is from this place that the peeling of the varnish coating begins.

Poor buff treatment

Using a special file, the top layer of the nail is polished, which should serve as a reliable adhesion of the varnish to the nail plate. You should grab all the edges of the nail. After working with the buff, the nail must be wiped with a lint-free cloth, because sawed off particles may remain on its surface. Cotton wool is not suitable for this; it can leave microscopic fibers.

Nail treatment with buff

Incomplete defatting

Before applying the base, the nail must be degreased. This is done using a special tool. It should be remembered that the spray is applied to a lint-free cloth, and not to the nail. You can remove fat and moisture from the nail using 70% alcohol, but you cannot use alcoholic beverages or cologne or perfume. Those. alcohol must be free of impurities. Also, do not degrease with acetone; nail polish remover containing acetone is allowed. Non-acetone liquid is also not suitable for this procedure.

Degreasing the plate

Poor quality fixation of layers

The base coat, gel polish, and topcoat must be kept in the lamp for a certain time. The drying time is indicated on the bottle of each product. It is necessary to fix each layer, even if the gel polish is applied in three layers. It is also necessary to monitor the serviceability of the lamp and replace the lamps on time, especially for the UV lamp. Gel polish peels off like a film if the base for the varnish is not completely dried. The primer dries within 1-3 minutes in air.

Gel polish in different shades

Excessive layer thickness

This factor leads to poor-quality fixation of the layer - which is why the gel polish quickly peels off or peels off as a film. In addition, a thick layer will heat up under the influence of the lamp, flow down to the rollers, and form bubbles. Therefore, all layers must be applied as thinly as possible. Some gel polishes, for example from Tartio, have a thick consistency and high pigmentation. It is enough to apply such products in one layer.

Unclosed end of the nail

Each applied layer must be applied to the end of the nail plate. The end is a narrow section of the tip of the nail along which a file is drawn. It must be covered with all applied layers. Otherwise, the varnish will peel off almost on the first day.

Applying varnish to the end of the nail plate

Material quality

In addition to all of the above, the reason why gel polish peels off quickly from nails can be poor quality material. Customer reviews will help you make the right choice. Thus, the products of the Italian company Tartio, according to reviews, are of high quality. This brand's gel polish, primer and foundation create a durable finish.

Why doesn't shellac last?

This question interests not only women who have experienced such an unpleasant event, but also manicurists who try to do everything efficiently, but shellac peeling still occurs. Based on research into this phenomenon, it turned out that the problem lies not only in the poor quality of the materials used, but also in non-compliance with the correct technology for applying gel polish. They also identified the most common reasons why shellac does not stick to nails.

Optimal wearing time

If the technology was followed when applying gel polish and all processes were carried out correctly, then on average this product will last on the nails for up to four weeks. Light shades look especially attractive; against their background it is almost not noticeable how the nail grows. However, manicurists recommend removing the coating every two weeks, as otherwise the nails can become very dry and deteriorate.

Removing gel polish at home is not recommended. It is best to contact the specialist who did your manicure. He will carefully remove the old coating with an electric file. Experts categorically do not recommend picking off varnish using sharp objects. If you can’t go to a salon, it’s better to purchase a special product and remove the gel polish using it and foil.

Improper preparation of the nail plate

Why shellac does not stick to nails largely depends on proper preparation of the nail plate. Gel polish will certainly begin to swell and peel if the nails are not degreased before applying the primer. For this procedure, you need to use a special product that will clean the nail from small particles of dust and grease.

Even if the nails were thoroughly washed before the manicure, this does not mean that they are degreased. There will still be detergent residue on their surface. Therefore, every experienced nail technician, before applying primer, cleans his nails with a special lint-free cloth, which is pre-moistened in a degreasing solution.

One of the reasons why shellac does not stick to nails is ignoring cuticle removal. It should not interfere with the application of the gel, and therefore it should be trimmed with nippers or removed with a device for unedged manicure. If base, color or top coat gets on the cuticle, this will cause the shellac to peel off. Moreover, it can occur within 2-3 days after the manicure.

What is hidden under the term “shellac”?

Initially, the term “Shellac” was used only in relation to the new product of the CND company, and then other brands began to use it, for example, Bluesky. Also, by mistake, many people use this term to refer to ordinary gel polishes, which may differ in application technology and method of removing the coating.

Shellac

Benefits of shellac:

• durability,
• drying speed,
• strengthening properties,
• wide color palette,
• glossy finish.

This coating has few disadvantages:

• the need to purchase a UV lamp,
• Can be removed only with a special means.

Manufacturers of CND shellac guarantee the stated durability of the coating for at least 2 weeks. In most cases, the manufacturer’s promises are justified, and the manicure remains flawless for a long time, sometimes up to a month. But in some cases, shellac does not last, and defects in the coating begin to appear within the first week after application, and sometimes the next day. The main reason for the instability of the coating is a violation of manicure technology.

Most often, the technique of applying shellac is violated when covering nails at home. However, even in salons you can encounter inexperienced nail technicians who make mistakes when performing shellac manicures.

Low lamp power

Another common reason why shellac does not stick well on nails is poor polymerization of its layers. This happens when the master uses a lamp with low power in his work - below 36 V. It is also necessary to understand that the gel polish company always warns about the required type of polymerization. To do this, the label located on the bottle of varnish contains the mark LED or UV.

This information must be taken into account when choosing a lamp for drying shellac. In addition to choosing the right lamp, you should ask the technician how often he changes the bulbs in it. They need to be changed every 3-6 months, depending on the intensity of use of the device.

Applying shellac in a thick layer

The most common reason why shellac on nails does not last long is incorrect application of its layers. Some craftsmen believe that the thicker the coating, the longer and better it will last. In fact, this is absolutely wrong, and the specialist who thinks so is not really one. Therefore, if you notice that the master is applying gel polish in a layer that is too thick, you need to reprimand him.

If you do not pay attention to this, you can confidently expect shellac peeling within a week after its application. Each layer of coating must be very thin. This will allow it to dry better in the lamp, and will also make the shellac glossy and shiny with the same highlights. A thick layer of varnish will collect on the nail plate in waves and flow onto the cuticle on the sides. As a result, the manicure will turn out not only unstable, but also sloppy.

Poor sealing of nail edges

When covering the nail plate with a base, a colored layer, and then a top, each stage should end with sealing the free edge of the nail. This must be done in the thinnest layer so that the nails look neat. This nuance will significantly strengthen the coating and prevent chipping of the ends.

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When masters neglect this nuance, shellac comes off from the edges of the nails. After this, dissatisfied clients find a reason why shellac does not stick to their nails. “I use proven products, I don’t know what happened” - you can often hear from craftsmen who did not process the edges. But if this happens, you should demand that the poor-quality work be redone.

If this is not done, air, as well as dirt and moisture, will begin to get under the nail plate. If you pry the edge of the coating, you can remove it with film. Of course, this should never be done. If such a problem occurs, you need to make an appointment at the salon as soon as possible to remove the low-quality coating.

Gel polish application technique

When you coat your nails with varnish in one layer you will get a translucent color, while in 2 layers you will get a rich and dense color . Before applying, prepare your nails in the same way as before modeling your nails. First, apply the base clear polish and place your nails under a UV lamp for 2 minutes, after which do not remove the dispersion layer.

Using a special brush, apply a thin layer of gel polish over the sticky layer. You need to be very careful when covering the cuticle area. Be sure to cover the end of the free edge of the nail. Varnish that gets on the cuticle or skin can lead to peeling of the coating. Therefore, remove excess varnish using a wooden stick. Place your hand under an ultraviolet lamp for 3 minutes. If you want the color to be more saturated, apply 2 p. colored gel polish.

Improper care of the coating

An overview of the reasons why shellac does not stick to nails includes the fault of the client himself. Sometimes the manicurist is not to blame for the rapid removal of gel polish. This can happen if a woman constantly exposes her nails to alcohol, liquids with acetone, household solvent, and does not use rubber gloves while cleaning.

All this has a bad effect on the coating and the skin of the hands. Therefore, it is not surprising that gel polish will come off faster. In addition, it should be borne in mind that a fresh coating is very easy to deform mechanically. This can be done by striking with nails or physical work. In order for the nail polish to last more than two weeks, it is very important to protect the manicure from all possible damage.

Peeling of polish on the tips of the nails

Why doesn't gel polish stick well to nails? This question interests many women. After all, by turning to a manicurist, we expect to preserve the health of our nails and hope that the coating will remain in its original form for at least a couple of weeks. Imagine the disappointment when, just a few days later, chips or scratches become noticeable on the nail plate.

Very often, detachment occurs precisely at the tips of the nail plate. This may occur due to the fact that all the layers on the tips of the nails, as well as on the sides, are not sealed. In addition, a few days before applying the coating, it is not recommended to carry out oil treatment on your hands, as well as spa treatments.

In the first few days after a manicure, it is recommended to reduce or completely eliminate contact with water. The decorative coating may peel off due to contact with solvents, acetone, and alcohol. There is no need to subject your nails to mechanical stress, as this will cause the varnish to quickly chip. You should not repair coating defects or file your nails yourself, as this may compromise the integrity of the top layer. It is best to contact a specialist who, as a rule, can easily eliminate defects.

It is worth taking into account the characteristics of the body, as well as the fact of using certain medications.

The reason for peeling of the coating on the tips of the nails may be a very short nail plate when the fingertips come into contact with it.

Poor quality of the nail plate

What do numerous reviews say about all this? Why doesn't shellac stick to nails? Comments do not always contain information about the initial state of the nail plates. But sometimes the coating does not last because the quality of the nails themselves is very poor. For example, if they are peeling or covered with grooves from improper technique of the previous manicure, you must first straighten the nail plate.

If the master does not do this, the shellac will begin to come off within a couple of days after coating. Therefore, if a specialist offers to include this service in the cost of a manicure, you cannot refuse it. Especially if the nail problem is visible to the naked eye.

Why does gel polish peel off like a film? Why doesn't gel polish stick to my nails?

Why doesn't gel polish stick to my nails?

Many people are faced with the problem that the gel polish peels off or comes off as a film within a few days after application, and chips and cracks appear on it. Why doesn't gel polish stick to my nails?

Based on the experience of manicurists, we have identified several reasons and errors due to which gel polish does not stick to the nails.

Typical mistakes when applying gel polish

Of course, the first and main reason for peeling and chipping is errors in coating application. It is quite possible that at one of the stages you missed or did not take into account some nuances.

1. The cuticle and pterygium are not completely removed. Before applying the base, you need to carefully push back the cuticle with an orange stick or pusher and completely remove the pterygium. Otherwise, the gel polish will begin to peel off where the nail grows.

2. The nail is not polished enough. Be sure to use a buffer or grinder - this will improve the adhesion of the nail surface to the base.

3. The nail is not degreased. Always wipe your nail plates with a degreaser. If you have “wet” and brittle nails, we recommend using a primer or ultrabond.

4. Coating layer is too thick. Base, gel polish and top coat should always be applied in a thin layer.

5. Coatings are poorly dried. After each layer, you need to dry your nails in a UV/LED lamp until completely dry. The time depends on the power of the lamp. After several years of use, the lamp's power decreases and it takes longer to dry.

6. Layers are not sealed. Such an error is guaranteed to lead to peeling of the gel polish. You need to seal each layer: base, gel polish and top. This will significantly extend the durability of the manicure.

Other reasons for gel polish peeling

In addition to the listed application errors, there are other reasons why gel polish does not adhere well to nails.

Sometimes it peels off due to low-quality products (for example, fakes) or because they have expired. Always choose proven bases, tops and gel polishes. And remember that not only coatings have a service life, but also UV/LED lamps - they need to be replaced on time.

Another reason is much less common than the previous ones. But still, some nails cannot tolerate gel polish coating due to the individual characteristics of the body. Often the manicure does not last due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or thyroid dysfunction. In this case, this is a reason to visit a doctor.

The durability of gel polishes is designed for 2-4 weeks and depends on the individual characteristics of the owner of the nails: the state of the body, profession and lifestyle. How often do your hands come into contact with water? With constant contact with moisture, gel polish is unlikely to last longer than 2 weeks, and this is normal. Provided high-quality coating with professional products and careful handling, the durability of the manicure can be extended up to 4 weeks. The nails gradually grow, a free zone appears at the cuticle, but the coating itself looks like new.

In most cases, gel polish is susceptible to chipping due to improper application technology. Purchasing proven, reliable products and following all stages of nail coating usually solve the problem once and for all.

We hope you found our article useful. Good luck!

Best regards, your online store imkosmetik.

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Recommendations from professionals

To ensure that your nail coating lasts as long as possible, manicure professionals recommend adhering to the following rules before and after gel coating:

• A few days before going to the nail salon, you should not make oil masks for the skin of your hands and nails. It is also undesirable to carry out any other SPA procedures. This will soften the nail plate and contribute to insufficiently strong polymerization in the lamp.
• Do not make an appointment with a specialist while taking antibiotics or during treatment for hormonal imbalance. Such health problems can be the reason why shellac does not last on nails. Advice from professionals is due to the fact that each body reacts to illness differently.
• In the first day after applying shellac, you need to limit contact with water. It is better to use rubber gloves during cleaning.
• Do not expose freshly manicured nails to alcohol, acetone-based liquids, or solvents.
• If a chip or detachment occurs, do not peel off the coating layer. This can lead to the most disastrous consequences, ranging from a lacerated wound to the nail and ending with the appearance of pits on the plate. If the shellac begins to peel off, you need to make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible in order to carefully and safely get rid of the low-quality coating.
• You should not file the edge of the nail or try to give it a new shape yourself. The main reason why shellac does not stick to nails is precisely ignoring this rule. Filing away destroys the sealed layer of gel polish and moisture, air and dirt begin to penetrate under the coating, which contributes to the rapid detachment of shellac.

Another important nuance when wearing shellac on nails is careful nail care at home. After every shower or bath, you need to push back the cuticle with an orange stick. This method will help keep the skin of your fingers and the appearance of your manicure in excellent condition for a long time.

Source

Causes of shellac peeling

Shellac at home

Two weeks after applying the product, the nail plate grows back and a small regrown area is visible at the base of the nail. At the same time, the layer of shellac continues to hold tightly.

It happens that a few days after applying shellac, problems begin with the nails, or the coating does not withstand the two-week period and may come off.

What can happen to nails with shellac applied to them:

• chipping of part of the coating;
• peeling off a small layer near the cuticle;
• formation of cracks over the entire surface of the nail.

Why does shellac flake off quickly? The main causes of damage to gel polish are violations in application technology. This may be caused by insufficient qualifications or carelessness of the master.

Small chip on the edge of the nail

When shellac peels off reasons:

• poor and low-quality materials were used;
• one of the stages of the three-phase application system was missed;
• insufficient degreasing of the nail plate or the use of conventional nail polish remover;
• incomplete cuticle processing;
• not all the gloss was removed using a buff;
• uncollected remains of nail dust;
• applied layer that has not dried completely: base, gel polish or finishing;
• too thick layer of shellac - during drying under the lamp, its excess flows onto the skin, air penetrates under the layer, and a cause of further detachment is created.

Why does shellac peel off at the tips of the nail? The main reason is insufficient sealing of its end. Upon contact with a hard object, this leads to the formation of a chip, which further spreads to the entire decorative coating and deforms it.

The free edge is the most vulnerable part of the nail. Why shellac chips at the tips of the nails, and how to avoid chipping: it is applied overlapping, covering the free edge. This sealing method applies to all layers applied during a manicure.

Note ! When sealing the edge, the layer at the end should not be thick, protrude above the surface of the gel polish-coated nail, or have any bumps.

Why shellac comes off quickly, there are other reasons not related to the work of the master. They refer to the owner of nails with gel polish coated on them.

Tip Peeling

Why shellac peels off:

• Mechanical damage. Gel polish is sensitive to impacts on hard surfaces. As a result, a network of small cracks, invisible to the eye, diverges from the damage. Reasons: frequent typing on the keyboard, the habit of drumming with your fingers, hitting the door.
• Chemical exposure. Shellac coating withstands water and detergents well, but within reasonable limits. If the products contain bleach, bleach and other solvents, the shellac softens, its adhesion to the nail decreases, and peeling occurs. It is advisable to use rubber gloves when interacting with detergents.
• Nail health. Before applying shellac, nails must be healthy and undamaged. A very thin and soft nail plate will most likely lead to gel polish peeling due to its constant deformation under normal pressure. Peeling nails will not allow the base layer to adhere well to the nail surface. You should avoid applying shellac if the general condition of your nails is fragile and they constantly break or peel. This will cause chipping at the tips of the nail.
• Health problems. With some diseases of the body, such as diabetes and immune disorders, while taking antibiotics, oral contraceptives and diseases of the nervous system, also when a girl is pregnant, the hormonal balance changes. The nail begins to reject the product applied to it, and the shellac may peel off completely.

Additional Information. To strengthen the nail plate, you need to take a vitamin course, take strengthening baths, constantly apply nail oil and use medicated varnish.

Beautiful shellac application