Gel Nails are Peeling or Keep Lifting

There are a variety of reason why nails lift, and many of them are the result of improper application methods. Make sure that you follow all of the application steps correctly, and if you are still having lifting problems it may just be that you need a little extra help with an additional product like the IBD Dehydrate. First read all of the handy hints below. Hopefully you will recognise where you might be going wrong.

• Don't use too much Bonder. The nail should not look shiny after applying the bonder. If it does, gently dab the nail with a clean nail wipe so that you have a matt grainy appearance. Using too much Bonder can be the main reason for lifting. For extreme lifting you can cure the Bonder for 3 minutes.

• While preparing your nails make sure thay you file the entire nail in one direction only. The entire surface should have the shine removed. Take special care to file all nail edges.

• Make sure that all nail and gel filings are removed with Cleanser Plus and a Nail Wipe before applying Bonder. The nail must be thoroughly clean, dry and particle free.

• When you first start preparing your nails you use Nail Prep Spray, which not only sanitises your nails but also dehydrates them a little. This is an important step. Some people however might need a little more help to dehydrate their nails. This might be because your have particularly oily nail beds, have your hands regularly in water (from swimming, washing dishes etc), or it could just be a temporary change like pregnancy that is effecting how well your nails stay on. You have a couple of options if this is the case. You can use a stronger nail primer, like those that are used for acrylic nails, or you can use IBD Dehydrate. IBD Dehydrate is a quick and effective product which is simply brushed on 3 to 4 seconds before you apply your Bonder. It doesn't need to be cured.

• Avoid washing your hands during the whole application process. You need to keep your nails completely dry.

• Ensure that after applying the gel you run around the nail edge with a Cuticle Pusher, or any other object with a pointed end like a tooth pick, to ensure that the gel hasn't run onto the skin. Confine your application to the nail plate only. Gel cured on your cuticles or surrounding skin will cause lifting.

• Don't apply the gel too thinly at the edge of the nail. (see handy hint on 'Nails Cracking')

• Make sure you use a top coat and cap the end and edges of the nail. This will help prevent moisture seeping between the natural nail and gel layer.

• If you are applying gel polish you must use a topcoat. (see handy hint on 'Coloured Gel Polish is peeling')

• Use gloves when washing up and house cleaning.

Gel Nails Cracking

If your nails are cracking it is probably because you have not applied the gel thickly enough, particularly on the sidewalls. If you have applied the gel too thinly you can reinforce it by applying a string of Clear or Builder Gel. This is done in the same way that you would reinforce Builder Gel at the join for french tips. You dip the tip of your brush into the gel pot and lift if vertically upwards. You should then be left with a floating string of gel. Place this string of gel on the thin or stressed area (without touching the actual brush to your nail) and then allow it to self-level. Now immediatly cure the nail to prevent the gel running onto your skin. If it has, run around the nail edge with a Cuticle Pusher, or any other object with a pointed end like a tooth pick before curing.

NB# If you have been using Clear Gel try using Clear Builder Gel instead as it has extra strength and will be easier to achieve thicker layers.