Gel Polish shrinks, and it’s frustrating. Gel polish is a popular choice for manicures and pedicures because of its durability. However, gel polish does shrink when applied to the nail plate.
This shrinkage causes the nail surface to become bumpy and uneven, making the nails look less than desirable. The good news is that there are ways to prevent this from happening!
Why Gel Polish Shrinks?
The reason that gel polish shrinks is because it is applied as a thick layer to the nail plate. The solvents in the gel polish need time to evaporate, and during this process the polish will shrink. The shrinking of the polish makes your nail plate tighter and stronger. This has an added benefit as it also prevents chipping and peeling.
Shrinkage is when gel-polish shrinks because there’s something that shouldn’t be on the nail bed. The things which cause this to happen are putting oil onto nails before a manicure or washing your hands prior to getting treatment; both of these cause some sort of pressure and moisture against one another, which leads us back into shrinkage territory.
How do you prevent gel polish shrinkage?
There are a few ways to prevent or limit shrinkage. You can apply a thin coat for your first layer, then follow up with 2 more thick coats. You can also use a gel polish primer to help the solvents evaporate more quickly. Finally, you can cure your nails under a UV or LED light for an extra layer of protection.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your gel polish stays looking its best!
- Apply thin coats for the first layer
- Use a gel polish primer
- Cure nails under UV or LED light.
Apply thin coats for the first layer: Applying a thin coat of gel polish will help the solvents evaporate more quickly. This will limit shrinkage and give you a smooth, even surface.
Use a gel polish primer: A gel polish primer can be applied to the nail plate and will help the solvents evaporate more quickly. This is a great method for limiting shrinkage and providing an even surface.
Cure nails under UV or LED light: A final coating of gel polish cured under ultraviolet (UV) or visible light in either a lamp, such as a UV/LED lamp, or sunlight will help to further protect the polish and prevent shrinkage.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your gel polish stays looking its best! Try them out and see for yourself the difference they make.
Why Should You Have a Thin First Layer Gel Polish?
In most cases, a thin first layer of gel polish is the best way to ensure that your manicure looks great and lasts for as long as possible. When you have a thin first layer of polish, it will dry more quickly and will be less likely to chip or peel.
This is because there is less of a film thickness on top of your nails, which means that there is less of a chance for the polish to lift or separate from the nail bed.
Here are some benefits of having thin first layer gel polish:
1. The nail surface is smooth and even, so the color will be more even as well.
2. The polish layer will cure to a good consistency without being too thick.
3. When you have a thicker coat of gel polish on your nails, it can lead to issues with peeling or chipping due to the edge of the nail catching on things.
4. The thin first layer will be dry before you start doing your daily tasks, so it won’t smudge or leave marks on anything that you touch.
If you are looking for a long-lasting manicure, it is important to use a thin first layer of gel polish. When you have a thick first layer, the polish will dry more slowly and will be more likely to chip or peel.
This is because there is more of a film thickness on top of your nails, which means that there is more of a chance for the polish to lift or separate from the nail bed.
What’s the Right Way to Apply a Thin Coat of Gel Polish?
To apply a thin coat of gel polish, you need to make sure that the brush is free of any excess polish. You should also avoid loading the brush with too much polish, as this can lead to problems with uneven coverage and bubbling.
- When you are applying the polish, you should use gentle, sweeping motions and make sure to keep the brush close to the nail bed. You should also avoid brushing over the same spot more than twice, as this can lead to bubbling.
- You should also make sure that the first layer is dry before you apply a second coat of polish, since this will prevent any smearing or dragging that can result from a wet first layer.
When you have a thin first layer of gel polish, it will dry more quickly and will be less likely to chip or peel. This is because there is less of a film thickness on top of your nails, which means that there is less of a chance for the polish to lift or separate from the nail bed.
In most cases, it is best to use a thin first layer of gel polish in order to ensure that your manicure looks great and lasts for as long as possible. By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and long-lasting manicure with a thin first layer of gel polish.
Why Should You Use Gel Polish Primer?
Gel polish primer creates a perfect base for your gel manicure. It keeps the natural nail in top condition and prevents yellowing of the natural nails, which is common when using UV lamps or drying under them.
This bond also strengthens the surface of the natural nail to prevent peeling and breakage of nails during removal of gels, and it seals the nail plate to reduce staining. Gel polish primer is also a great way to extend the life of your gel manicure!
Here are some benefits of using Gel Polish Primer:
1. Prevents staining of the natural nails
2. Prevents breakage and peeling of nails
3. Extends the life of your gel manicure
4. Keeps the natural nail in top condition
5. Prevents yellowing of the natural nails
6. Seals the nail plate to reduce staining
There are many different types of gel polish primers on the market, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. One example is the Lechat Gel Polish, and there are a lot more in the market today.
Why Should You Cure Nails Under UV or LED Light?
Curing your nails with UV and LED light is a standard process. It is done to apply protective coats or decorative items, such as gels and acrylics, more effectively on natural nail plates.
When nails get exposed to ultraviolet rays, the substances get hardened very quickly. That’s why it would be great to cure them under either light.
But there are still some people who are hesitant to do this process because of two reasons: the fear of skin cancer and the cost of equipment.
- First, let’s talk about the fear of skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays are known to cause skin cancer. However, if you use a UV or LED light for curing nails, the risk is lowered because it emits a small amount of rays. Besides, you will be wearing protective eye wear during this process; we strongly recommend that you do this for your safety and health.
- Secondly, LED light requires less electricity compared to UV light. That’s why it would be better if they are used in curing nails.
Curing nails under a UV or LED light would be a great investment as long as you choose the right equipment and use it properly. You have to purchase an efficient machine, such as the Lumi Solaris, so that you can always enjoy its benefits on your nails at home without going out to find a salon for this service.
What Benefits When Curing Nails Under UV or LED Light?
There are many benefits when curing nails under a UV or LED light.
- First and foremost, it will help the nails to dry quickly and evenly without any bubbles or streaks. You will be able to apply the top coat smoothly and have a longer lasting manicure without chipping.
- Second, using a UV or LED light for curing nails will help you save more money. If you compare the cost of curing your nails with UV and LED light versus how much it will take to pay someone at a salon, then curing them on your own would be cheaper and more convenient.
- Lastly, curing nails under a UV or LED light is safe and effective as long as you do it properly. It won’t harm your skin or nails. You just have to purchase an efficient machine, such as the Lumi Solaris lamp for this process.
How Else Can We Use UV and LED Lights?
Aside from curing nails, UV and LED lights can also be used in other applications like warming waxes, readying gel polishes, removing gel polish, and so on.
Aside from warming waxes, you can also use UV or LED lights for dissolving hard gel to make it into liquid form. This is useful when you try to apply the melted gel onto your nails or toes during various nail art applications.
On the other hand, LED lights are used in readying gel polishes. By using an LED light, you will be able to speed up the process so that the polish can be applied and cured quickly.
Lastly, LED lights are used in removing gel polish. It is one of the most popular methods because it doesn’t cause any damage to the natural nails. In fact, some people even use LED lights to remove gel polish without using any solvent or other chemicals.
Tips for a Good Gel Polish Outcome
Now that you know all about gel polish, it is time to put that knowledge into practice by learning how to achieve the best possible outcome. To get started, here are a few tips to help you achieve great results:
1. Choose the right color. Not all colors look good in gel form, so it is important to choose wisely. Lighter colors tend to look better than dark colors, and metallic shades can often produce great results.
2. Avoid using too many coats. It is important not to apply too many coats of polish, as this can lead to problems such as bubbling or peeling. Three coats is usually more than enough.
3. Use a gel top coat. A regular top coat can ruin a gel manicure, so always use a good quality gel top coat to protect the color and the shine.
4. Use thin coats rather than thick ones. Thinner coats dry faster and avoid dullness, whereas thicker coats tend to lose their shine.
5. Make sure that your hands are completely dry before applying the top coat.
6. Reapply top coat every two to three days for best results.
So, now that you know how to achieve better looking gel nails, give it a go and dazzle your friends with your newly acquired skills!
In conclusion, gel polish shrinks for a variety of reasons. By understanding the causes, we can take steps to prevent shrinkage from occurring. Additionally, proper curing under a UV or LED light will help nails to dry quickly and evenly without any bubbles or streaks. When used in other applications such as warming waxes, readying gel polishes, removing gel polish, and more, UV and LED lights are safe and effective.
Finally, by following a few simple tips, you can achieve great results with your gel polish manicure. Thanks for reading!
