Stop the Lift! Master the Art of Long-Lasting Gel Nails
Lifting gel? We've all been there. If your clients are struggling with premature lifting, let's break down the reasons why — and how to fix them!
1. Lifting at the Cuticle
- Excess moisture on the nail
- Dust or pterygium left behind
- Gel applied with a ledge
- Incorrect nail structure
- Gel running past the base layer
- Improper base layer application
- Over-filing with a flame bit
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Wrong base selection
Often, choosing the wrong base can lead to lifting—learn why not all ‘rubber base’ products perform as expected in our article The Truth About Rubber Base.
2. Lifting on the Sides
- Product flooding the sidewalls
- Too much gel in the sidewalls
- Flat apex structure
- Gel extending beyond the base layer
- Incorrect base layer application
- Poor nail structure
- Over-filing with a flame bit
3. Lifting in the Center
- Trauma (impact or hit)
- Under-cured gel
- Pre-existing lifting left behind
- Incorrect nail structure
- Faulty lamp
- Overgrown nails shifting weight
4. Lifting at the Free Edge
- Natural nail not filed properly
- Incorrect gel selection
- Mechanical damage
- Over-filing at the free edge
- Gel layer too thin at the tip
Fix It Like a Pro:
- Always dehydrate & prime properly
- Use thin, even layers & cure correctly
- Check your lamp's wattage & efficiency
- Build a balanced structure for lasting wear
Let’s make those nails last!
Improper prep like over‑filing with a flame bit or skipping necessary buffing can also cause lifting — if you’re unsure about your underside filing technique, check out our post To File or Not to File Underneath?
