Why doesn’t gel polish stick on nails (it comes off in layers and swells)

Types of gel polish peelings

Damage to the nail coating may include the following:

the gel polish swells and then comes off in layers along the entire length of the nail;
On square plates, whole pieces of varnish break off at the ends;
detachment from the nail occurs in the cuticle area.

The pieces do not fly off immediately, but after a while after mechanical actions with the nail or when using water and hard sponges. When peeling of the varnish from the plate is observed after a few days, it can be assumed that the application technology is broken or there are health problems.

Delamination of the coating due to the fault of the master

Often the reasons for the destruction of the gel coating lie in improper application to the nails. This happens when the manicurist has little experience or the human factor came into play and a mistake was made. A mistake in a long-lasting manicure is costly, because, despite the fact that the price of gel polish has decreased, it still has not become publicly available.

Let's look at the reasons for varnish delamination:

While giving the nail the correct shape, the master performed the filing process incorrectly: the nail plate, subjected to heavy sawdust, gets an internal hematoma. Due to the hematoma, proper application of gel polish is impossible.
The base layer is not completely dried under the lamp. There are incidents when the master, having forgotten, applies a decorative coating to a damp base. This application guarantees that the varnish will peel off after a few days.
Use of low-quality materials for manicure.
are not degreased first ; as a result, gel polish cannot create strong adhesion.
Insufficient drying of all layers.
Applying 3-4 layers of varnish: polymerization occurs unevenly , the decorative coating of the varnish begins to collapse after a few days. If the coating was made from low-quality materials, destruction will occur in the first two days.
Inaccurate application leads to the fact that the decorative product ends up on the periungual fold. If you do not remove the product from the skin in time, it will break down and pull the entire coating layer behind it.
The master does not warn about the correct culture of behavior after applying the varnish. The ban on hand washing for 2-3 hours after the procedure is violated immediately after leaving the salon. Despite the fact that the varnish has a chance to retain its layer structure when washing hands, it will definitely lose its shine and strength.
Before the procedure, the master does not warn about the consequences that result from natural physiological causes.

If you do your own gel coating at home, you equally need to learn the mistakes that lead to delamination of the decorative coating.

Reasons why gel polish doesn't last

Let's look at the most common reasons why shellac does not stay on the nails for the period of time stated by the manufacturer.

The previous coating was poorly removed from the nail

If the master did not properly treat the nails, did not dry and degrease the plate, the gel polish will not lie on it as expected.

The nails were not degreased

Before applying gel polish, you must not use hand cream or carry out procedures in a SPA salon. Any cream, nourishing, protective, moisturizing, will prevent the varnish from “setting” due to greasy marks on the nail plate. During a manicure session, the master applies the base only to previously degreased nails. Special drying of the plate will help with this. You can moisturize your hands and fingers using the cream only after the procedure.

Wet plate

Each person is individual, his body is special. One of the features is a wet nail plate or severe sweating of the hands. The principle of strong varnish retention is a strong adhesion to a dry nail. It should be taken into account: if a wet nail does not allow you to wear gel polish for a long time, regular polish will last a long time and thoroughly: it has a different drying principle without the help of UV lamps.

Poor drying

If the drying time is short and calculated incorrectly or the coating layer is too thick and has not had time to dry properly, you can expect the nail polish to peel off.

Nails are too short

The nail should be such a length that the manicurist can apply gel polish to the end of the plate and seal it, drying it under a lamp. If your nails are too short, this is not possible; after a while, the varnish along the edges will begin to peel off.

Hormonal imbalance

During menstruation, plus or minus three days, a girl’s body experiences stress and hormonal load. On “critical” days, irritability and susceptibility to foreign objects increases. It is better to refuse to carry out cosmetic procedures on the skin of the face and body for a while, care for it will be minimal, cosmetics and SPA procedures will not have the desired positive effect. The same applies to hair: perm can result in a washcloth on the head, and not exquisite curls.

Pregnancy and lactation

The state of the body is similar to the previous point. During these periods of life, it is better to refrain from applying gel polish to your nails. It may begin to flake off soon due to the increased content of hormones in the body, which is responsible for two lives.

Unprofessionalism and incompetence of the master

Before going to a nail salon, it is important to study the work of the nail technician with whom the girl has signed up. He must be an expert in his field. Many experimental sessions take place among beginners, when the future specialist hones his skills and gains valuable experience at a low cost of the service. It is better to contact a salon or a home worker based on the recommendations of friends.

Competent manicurists will do the correct treatment of nails, without cuts, using special grinding devices; they will select a suitable nail shape, leave stiffening ribs so that the plate grows and does not break or crack; apply the base and gel polish evenly and efficiently; dry each varnish layer evenly and tightly; will make a beautiful and smooth design.

You cannot count on an interesting and beautiful manicure if it is done by a non-professional. Even experienced specialists sometimes need to be changed in order to avoid blurring the eye and obtain a similar nail design.

Carelessness in housework

Regular varnish will not allow you to hammer nails or open beer bottles. Gel polish is considered so durable. Theoretically, it is able to withstand any mechanical stress. In fact, if a girl washes dishes and does wet cleaning of the house without gloves, tightens the bolt of her glasses or opens the lids of tubes with sharp jerks, chipping and abrasion of the gel polish cannot be avoided. If chipping constantly occurs on the same nails, it is important to notice every automatic movement that is repeated at the subconscious level.

Quality base

A beautiful and long-lasting manicure does not depend on the brand of gel polish. Perhaps the problem lies in the database. A high-quality foundation will not be sold for pennies in any cheap store. If the master uses a rubber base, long-lasting wear for the manicure is guaranteed. Girls with problem nails can forget about delamination and brittleness of the plates and grow long nails if the manicurist has applied a rubber base to the nails.

Application technology

When a dense and very thick layer is applied to the nails, shellac polymerizes and hardens unevenly. In thinner and weaker areas, the coating is destroyed.

Cuticle damage

Incorrectly filed nails and damage to the cuticle can cause hematoma. It will interfere with the uniform application of the coating; the varnish will not last long due to weak points.

Coating not applied carefully

If, when applying gel polish, the master catches the periungual ridge and does not remove the product from it immediately, the coating will peel off and will not be able to stay on the nail due to the large amount of sebum that is constantly located in this area of the finger.

Individual characteristics

If a girl has a naturally uneven surface of her nails, even an experienced master will not be able to create a high-quality, long-lasting manicure on such nails.

Health problems

Taking antibiotics, diabetes, and inflammatory processes in the body directly affect the condition of the skin, hair and nails. In these cases, metabolism is disrupted, the nail surface becomes uneven and porous. This makes it difficult to apply the coating correctly and evenly.

Great Expectations

According to the instructions, manufacturers' statements and the experience of the craftsmen, gel polish can last up to two weeks. The ideal option is a week - 10 days. If the coating lasts longer, this is the merit of the master who did the manicure correctly and efficiently, and the health and strength of the client’s nails. You can consider this a bonus. You just need to understand what lies behind the word “does not hold” and what period we are talking about.

What determines the quality of gel polish application?

When choosing a salon for applying gel polish, you should pay attention not only to the cost, but also to other equally important points.

It is necessary to have an idea of the level of experience of the master and his adherence to technology. To get this information, you can find out the opinion of someone who has already had a manicure there.

You should also pay attention to what materials the master uses. It is advisable that the top and base be from the same brand; colored material is not necessary.

The freshness of gel polish is no less important, since over time such products can thicken, which negatively affects the quality of their application: the layer of varnish turns out to be thicker than necessary, and cavities can form in it. In this case, you won’t be able to walk with the coating for a long time, as it will begin to peel off.

In terms of price/quality ratio, we recommend using Giorgio Capachini varnishes - 3-phase gel can be purchased for 332 rubles

! When applying gel polish yourself, an important step will be preparing the nail plates for the procedure.

First, you need to use a file to process the free edge of the nails. If they are thinned, it is better to leave the length medium. The cuticle must be trimmed or pushed back with a wooden stick.

The surface of the nail plate should be slightly polished.

Then comes the turn of its degreasing. This can be done with regular alcohol if you don’t have a special product at hand. You should not touch the nail, as this will negatively affect the durability of the gel polish.

After the base has been applied and dried, you can coat the nail plate with gel polish.

To prevent mechanical peeling of the coating, you should seal the end of the nail with each layer of gel polish.

What to do to make gel polish last longer

There are tips and recommendations from professionals, thanks to which gel polish will stay on your nails from 10 days to 3 – 4 weeks.

You need to visit a nail salon during a period when the amount of hormones in the body decreases.
Before visiting the salon, it is not recommended to do any nail procedures (baths, oil treatment).
A regular manicure is considered a wet procedure. You need to prepare for it carefully. It should take about three hours for the varnish to dry properly. If there are defects and imperfections, you can treat it with a primer to enhance the adhesive ability of the varnish and nail. If there are soft plates, they are treated with a strengthening agent, which must then be removed.
In order for the coating to dry properly, for the next 3 to 4 hours after the procedure, you should not wet your hands or apply moisturizing cosmetics, so as not to disrupt the bond formed between the keratin of the plate and the varnish coating.
When doing homework related to water procedures and chemicals, it is necessary to wear rubber gloves. Otherwise, you can reduce the shine of the coating - it does not like hot water and cleaning chemicals.
Coated nails will benefit from daily application of lanolin cream before bed on your hands, fingers, and cuticles.
Nails will remain healthy if the girl constantly takes vitamins or eats foods that contain calcium, silicon, vitamin A, E, and biotin.
You cannot swim or take oil baths for 24 hours after visiting the salon.
If, however, a small piece of the coating on the tip of the nail breaks off, you don’t have to go to the salon again. Gluing glitter and rhinestones to the chipped area will help you get out of the situation and maintain an attractive manicure. In addition, you will get an original design.

How long does gel polish last on artificial nails?

Not all girls know that gel polish can be applied to artificial nails. To do this, you do not need to use a buff or primer, since extended nails can be considered a good base. You should start working on your manicure by applying a base to get good adhesion. To make extended nails with gel polish look aesthetically pleasing, it should be applied in a thin layer and exclusively on an acrylic base. Otherwise, your nails will look unnaturally thick. According to reviews from girls, gel polish on artificial nails lasts as long as on natural nails, i.e. about 2 weeks.

High-quality nail coating

How long does gel polish last on nails? If it was applied by a professional using expensive and high-quality materials and following all the technology, then at least 14 days.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel polish

Any nail coating has its advantages. Shellac is no exception. It's good because:

dries quickly under an ultraviolet lamp. Conventional varnishes dry under normal conditions. Drying time depends on the thickness of the coating;
Suitable even for short nails;
has a certain strength and durability. If your nails grow quickly, they may outgrow the coating before it chips. With minimal contact with hot water, the coating lasts up to 3 weeks;
the cost of applying shellac coating is affordable for any beauty;
Helps strengthen nail plates. When extensions are applied, artificial nails take a long time to wear, the plates underneath do not breathe and become thin and brittle. Gel polish is applied for two weeks, it significantly strengthens the nails and promotes their rapid growth.

The disadvantages of gel varnish coating are the following circumstances:

This type of manicure is salon in nature. For home use, you should purchase an expensive ultraviolet lamp and special products for removing gel polish without damaging your nails;
The procedure can be done if your nails are healthy. Otherwise, you should first treat and restore your nails with vitamins and special preparations, and then apply a manicure. The advice of a professional master will help here;
You can’t wear gel polish all the time. This is the peculiarity of shellac manicure. After 5 - 6 sessions, the nails should rest so that the recovery process takes place and an allergic reaction to the composition of the varnish does not occur.

Why the coating doesn't stick (video):

What to do if shellac doesn’t stick (video):

25 reasons for gel polish peeling (video):

Beautiful, strong nails are the key to health. A designer manicure based on gel polish will help decorate them. Proper application and careful handling will help the coating last a long time without chipping, cracking or delamination.

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Rating of long-living gel polishes based on the results of 2016

We have compiled a rating of the best varnishes, based on reviews from residents of all corners of the country. Looking at it, you will certainly choose products to your liking and try them out for yourself.

1st place: Gelish

The best American varnish from the line of gel counterparts. In addition to excellent quality indicators, it has one of the widest color ranges. It features a little more than 100 shades and colors. The structure of Gelish resembles a regular non-permanent varnish, so it is easy to apply. The time for polymerization of each coating layer is 120 seconds. The coating lasts 3 weeks.

Review: Natalya, Rostov-on-Don, 33 years old, manicurist

Super! I rented a place in the salon, so I used the varnishes provided by the hostess. I can't say anything bad about their quality, but Gelish is a hundred times better! I bought it on the advice of a colleague at the salon: she has been using it at home for a long time. I didn’t regret the money spent: the varnish is worth it, private clients are happy. I’ve already collected 60 flowers and I’m not going to stop.

2nd place: Solomeya

Second place rightfully belongs to the London brand Solomeya. The successful texture allows you to carry out the varnish application procedure without any unpleasant incidents: bubbles and unpainted areas are a thing of the past. The varnish is sold at an affordable price that any home craftsman can afford.

Review: Lilia, Volgodonsk, 24 years old, private manicurist

I’ve only been doing nails for six months, on the occasion of going on maternity leave. Salome was recommended to me by my hairdresser: she always uses gel polish from this particular company. At first I was afraid to buy because the price was much higher than similar nail polishes, but then I decided - am I a professional or not? The varnish has a pleasant texture and is easy to apply to the nails, which is extremely important for me as a novice nail artist. I have never met a single client dissatisfied with Salome in the entire six months. I will buy more!

3rd place: Masura

Russian-made gel polish Masura received bronze. It is presented in a wide range of colors and is complemented by shiny collections that, when polymerized, give a magical effect. Women rated the durability of the varnish a little lower than in the two previous brands: on average, Masura lasts 2-2.5 weeks, after which it begins to fade.

Review: Inga Sergeevna, Vladikavkaz, 43 years old, accountant

My daughter gave me a nail lamp for my birthday. At first I didn’t know how to use it, but when I understood, I decided that I couldn’t live without it! I do my own nails and use Masura for manicure. I like it: the varnish is moderately liquid, goes on smoothly, without lumps. It lasts exactly 2.5 weeks, then you have to make a correction. If you follow all the recommendations from the Internet, your nails will not peel or fall off.

Choosing the right varnish and following the recommendations for the painting process will protect you from early destruction of the decorative coating. Thanks to the article, you learned how to properly apply gel polish so that it lasts longer, so you won’t have any difficulties supervising the work of a manicurist and applying it yourself.

Tip 5. Wear the covering for no more than 3 weeks

The recommended period of wearing gel polish is 3 weeks. If you walk with it for a longer period of time, it will begin to peel off. As a result, the nails will remain defenseless and are likely to break. Then you can only dream about a manicure with long nails and a beautiful shape.

In addition, after only 3 weeks of wearing gel polish, the manicure looks, at a minimum, unaesthetic. During this time, it grows a lot, loses its glossy shine, and crumbles in places. But every girl and woman should ensure that her hands are always well-groomed.