Gel polish is a popular finish for many clients. The risk of chipping is much lower than regular nail polish. It is thicker than regular nail polish and comes in base, colours and top coats. A LED or UV lamp is required to ‘cure’ the gel. Curing occurs after each application. Molecules in the gel react with the LED or UV lamp, creating a chemical reaction, which hardens or sets the gel.
Builder gel is similar to gel polish in that it is applied and ‘cured’, but the most common use of builder gel is to provide strength to the natural nail, while allowing them to grow in length. Builder gel can be applied directly on the natural nail, with tips or with forms.
With products continually changing, how we apply, remove or backfill change as well. Traditionally gel need to be ‘removed’, then applied. Many companies now have gel that can be backfilled. A little similar to acrylic, the surface of the gel is removed with a file. If colour has been used this needs to be filed off. Once the surface is removed, apply gel at the base of the nail up to the free edge and cure as per manufacturer instructions.
To remove gel polish, the surface needs to be ‘roughed’, i.e. file the surface to break the smooth bonds. The gel is covered with a soak off solution (often an acetone-based product), which softens the gel. It takes approximately 10 – 20 minutes for this process to work effectively. The softened gel can then be removed. Do not pick or peel gel off the nail plate. Because the gel is firmly attached, peeling gel off can strip the top layers of the natural nail, leaving a weakened, thin nail plate. Gel should always be removed professionally, encourage clients to have this done at the salon.
Made from plastic, nylon or acetate – used to lengthen the natural nail. Different shapes and sizes means a tip for most nail situations – there has to be enough natural nail for the tip to be applied to.
Sculpted forms – used to lengthen natural nail without a tip. A ‘form is placed at the free edger then acrylic or gel is built over the top.