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How long does your gel manicure last?
This step removes the dead skin while giving your polish a clear bed for system.
Your nail tech might also use a cuticle nipper to remove dead skin.
Next comes a crucial step; dehydrating the nails.
A dehydrator or rubbing alcohol removes dirt, water, and oils from your nails.
With this, extensions will be able to stick correctly without any lifting for weeks to come.
Note that your nails will require buffing and rehydration again.
With primers, less is more.
Too much can actually do the opposite of what you need.
With this done, your nail extension is ready to be applied.
This is also a great time to buff the surface of your extensions, so the gel adheres well.
After this, the gel program can begin.
Start with a base coat to provide a better slate for your gel.
Thinner coats might lengthen the process, but they ensure that your polish cures well and doesn’t lift.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the required time for curing.
Another essential tip is immediately wiping any gel that slips out of the nail bed with acetone.
Waiting too long could lift off your nail polish when you take a stab at remove it.
Depending on the richness of your color, two to three coats should be enough.
After curing, use a top coat to preserve your polish.
Finish off with cuticle oil which is important tokeep your nails healthy in between-manicures.
To build a basic routine, start by purchasing cuticle oil which you might use after every handwash.
Consider purchasing a cuticle oil pen to make the entire utility process easier.
CND is on the pricier side but contains Jojoba, which penetrates and softens the cuticle.
It also promotes strong nails, so you could say goodbye to chips.
One important tip is to ditch hand dryers, which can be harsh on your nails and hands.
Instead, dry your hand with a clean microfiber towel.
After your cuticle oil, go in with a hand cream for moisturization.
Don’t worry if a bit of cuticle oil is left on your hands rub it all in.
Your nails can’t look good if your hands look bad, so invest in quality hand cream.
Look for products with hyaluronic acid,the anti-aging ingredient that will keep your hands looking young.
It would also help to reapply a top coat every two to three days to protect your gel polish.
For starters, neither your nails, hands, or skin need hot water.
Hot water can weaken gel polish and lift it.
You should also avoid dipping your hands in hot water, detergent, vinegar, or hair dye.
If you garden, several pesticides can also eat at your gel polish.
Consequently, you should invest in rubber gloves if you intend to continue chores that require these products.
Wearing gloves is also good for your skin because exposure to most of these chemicals harms it.
It might seem that your hands and nails have identical needs, which is somewhat true.
Sunscreen can dissolve gel and acrylic polish.
Kikam goes by “brownskinderm” onInstagram, where she shared this tip.
She explained that the UV lights used to dry the gel polish can cause premature aging and cancer.
So, be sure to coat your fingers just before going under the UV lamp.
So, what’s the right way to deal with chips?
If getting another manicure isn’t an option, consider redoing the chipped nail alone.
Filing or clipping your nail might be cheaper, but they are one-way paths to chipping and peeling.
In addition, skip the tempting urge to ignore your nailcare routine it is just as important as skincare.
Gel manicures aren’t cheap, so it would help if you maintained them to save time and money.
If your current nail tech doesn’t meet your needs, all hope isn’t lost.
Consider sharing this article with them to explain your worries and needs.
Most nail techs will happily tweak their prep and app processes to suit your needs.
