How to use gel polish

With the advent of gel polish without advertising and persuasion, the product immediately became in demand and popular. However, before deciding to test a new type of manicure, it is better to familiarize yourself with all the advantages, disadvantages and nuances of using a varnish coating.

What is necessary

Necessary materials and tools for application at home:

For preparatory work, saws are mainly used:

• formative;
• polishing;
• grinding.

Fat-free places should not be touched with hands. If residual moisture is visible, it can be removed with a dehydrator.

Step by step application technology

After preparatory work, gel polish is applied. The center and the end side of the nail are filled with a decorative cosmetic product.

Movements should be careful and purposeful (up/down). No need to spend several times in the same place.

The base coat is sold as a set with a coloring agent or separately.

Used to create a conditionally ideal surface for adhesion to other components.

• The base is applied in a thin layer in one stroke, after which the hand is dried under the lamp for 1.5-5 minutes. The time is determined by the power of the lamp. Drying is recommended to be done alternately with one hand.
• Colored gel polish must cover the nail plates in two layers. If you plan to use a lighter shade, one gel layer is enough. For ease of application and obtaining a uniform color, it is recommended to stain each individual nail, followed by a 3-minute drying.
• The final coating is applied after the gel has completely dried in a thin layer using a special brush. The protective layer will prevent the manicure from premature damage and will become a good barrier against water, as well as light mechanical stress. It is convenient to repeat the technique of alternate processing of nails, followed by drying under a lamp. After finishing work, you need to dry all the fingers together for a few minutes again.
• A cotton pad dipped in an alcohol-containing composition will help remove the top sticky layer of varnish.
• It is recommended to complete the manicure by treating the cuticles with a special oil with a softening effect and nourishing the skin of the hands with a good cream.

The entire procedure for applying gel polish lasts approximately 40 minutes. At the end of it, the manicure should be protected from moisture and mechanical influences for the first days, until the hardening process is finally completed. This does not mean that you need to walk with your hands up. You can do your usual work right away. The gel hardened quite well under the lamp and when searching for keys in a purse or washing a cup under a tap, it will not be damaged. But prolonged contact with water or cleaning the house on the first day is undesirable.

Is it possible to do without a lamp

There is an opinion that it is impossible to fix the gel without a UV lamp. This is partly true, because one of the existing types of coatings really forms a solid structure only with the help of ultraviolet light. Craftswomen who have repeatedly attempted to apply the gel at home offer the option of drying with a heating blue healing lamp. However, its power is too low to affect the gel composition. If anyone managed to fix the varnish in this way, then for sure with a longer drying and not a strong enough result.

Gel polishes are divided into two types, which differ in composition and drying method. The photosensitive type implies the mandatory use of a special lamp. And the non-photosensitive group is similar in properties to ordinary varnish, so some varieties can harden with a stream of cold tap water or a cool 10-minute bath. But there are also products that do not harden without a catalyst (cyanoacrylate monomer). The fixing agent has a liquid or creamy structure. It is due to the chemical composition that the gel sets.

The marking on the packaging of the varnish "No-light gel" informs that special means for working with it are not provided. If there is no such sign, most likely, drying is allowed only with the use of a UV lamp.

How long will it last

Subject to all precautions, the varnish can remain presentable for more than two weeks, but after this period, the product begins to attach more strongly to the nail plates. Therefore, the gel must be washed off without fail 12-16 days after application. If you leave it for some more time, then it will be difficult to remove it and you can’t do without the use of aggressive means. This is fraught with damage to the structure of the nails.

The first two days, the process of adhesion of the decorative product to the nail plates continues. It is recommended to avoid prolonged contact with water to complete the chemical reaction.

After several applications of gel polish, it is worth taking a break for recovery and healing. During this period, you need to use a light base with a regular varnish.

How to withdraw

The lacquer coating cannot be simply taken and torn off, this will lead to the destruction of the structure of the nails. Further separation, excessive softness, thinning will create many problems. Ordinary nail polish remover will not cope with this composition. If you can’t get to the master in a timely manner, you can remove the coating at home.

To do this, you need to prepare the necessary materials:

Take pieces of cotton wool, soak them in acetone liquid, put them on the nail plates and wrap them in foil. After 10-15 minutes, you can try to remove the coating with an orange stick. If the procedure does not work, you should repeat the whole process again. When using a special liquid designed for, the duration of the procedure will be reduced to 5-7 minutes. Nails freed from the product need to be polished. A nail file designed for polishing will help to complete it. After that, you can do a manicure.

The salon process differs in a more gentle way, since a special liquid from the same manufacturer as the varnish is used.

Advantages and disadvantages

Benefits of gel polish:

• forms a beautiful shiny coating;
• keeps well on the nail plate, making it stronger;
• easy to apply;
• does not have a pungent odor;
• a wide palette of colors that allows you to choose any shade;
• brightness is maintained for 2 weeks;
• prevents delamination and the formation of chips;
• does not cause allergic reactions;
• The coating is firmly held for at least 2 weeks.

Flaws:

• feature of the coating removal procedure;
• participation in the process of creating a UV lamp manicure involves visiting a salon or a master at home;
• the coating undergoes deformation under the long-term action of water or during steaming, especially on the first day after application;
• thinning of the nail plates due to repeated use of gel polish.