Why Do My Gel Nails Peel Off After Just 2 Days?
Having beautiful gel manicures that only last for a couple of days can be endlessly frustrating and make you feel like you wasted your money at the salon. If your gel polish starts peeling and chipping shortly after getting them done, don’t worry – this article will explore all the possible reasons why this happens and how to stop it.
If you don’t have time to read the full article, the main reasons gel nails peel so soon are that the nails weren’t properly prepped, low-quality gel products were used, there are issues with the lamp used to cure the gels, or you are using your nails heavily shortly after getting them done.
Proper Nail Prep is Crucial
Remove Surface Oils and Debris
Before applying gel polish, it’s vital to properly clean and dehydrate the natural nail plate. Start by using a nail file to gently remove any shine or surface oils from the nails. Next, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and scrub nails to remove any debris or dirt.
Using a nail brush can help lift grime from underneath free edges. Finally, wipe nails with a lint-free pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol to dehydrate.
Use Proper Dehydrators and Primers
After scrubbing nails clean, apply a nail dehydrator. Quality professional dehydrators like Young Nails Protein Bond remove moisture and prep nails for gel adhesion. Using a dehydrator helps the gel polish last 7-10 days without lifting or peeling.
After dehydrating, apply a nail primer before your gel base coat. Primers like CND Stickey further etch nail plates for longer wear. Avoid skipping these crucial steps for longer-lasting manicures. For more application tips, visit nail care sites like https://www.nailsmag.com.
Using Low-Quality Gel System Products
Buy Salon-Grade Gels and Lamps
One of the most common reasons gel manicures don’t last is using low-quality gel polishes and lamps. Salon-grade gels are formulated to cure rock hard and last 2-3 weeks without chipping or peeling. Drugstore gel polishes simply don’t have the same lasting power.
They tend to stay somewhat soft, allowing the polish to peel off in sheets after just a few days. Upgrading to a pro-quality gel system is one of the best things you can do for longer wear.
In addition to the polish itself, the lamp also plays a key role. Weak bulbs don’t emit enough UV light to properly cure gel polish layers. When the gel isn’t fully cured, it won’t adhere as strongly to the natural nail.
Investing in a 36-watt or higher LED lamp provides the intense light needed for a thorough cure and optimum hold. Well-known salon brands like Bio Sculpture Gel and CND Shellac have gel/lamp systems designed to work together for maximum wear.
Don’t Skimp on Top and Base Coats
A good gel manicure consists of multiple layers – base coat, color coats, top coat. Skipping any of these steps can compromise wear time. The base coat acts like glue to bond the gel polish to the natural nail. A quality gel base provides a tacky surface for gels to grab onto.
Without it, the color layer won’t adhere as tightly. The top coat is equally important for sealing in color and creating a smooth, glossy finish. It helps protect the manicure from nicks and scratches.
Some people try to save time by only applying a base and top coat with regular nail polish in between. This shortcut never works! Regular polish isn’t flexible enough and ends up peeling off quickly. Use gel products from start to finish for optimal results.
Don’t forget to cap the free edge with each layer too – wrapping tips seals in color and prevents early tip wear.
Lamp Issues Can Prevent Proper Curing
Replace Bulbs Regularly
One of the most common reasons that gel nails may start peeling after only a couple of days is that the UV or LED lamp used to cure them is not functioning properly. The bulbs in these lamps need to be replaced regularly (usually every 2-3 months) in order to emit the optimum wavelength of light needed to initiate polymerization and fully harden the gel polish or builder gel underneath the nail.
Using old bulbs that are past their recommended lifespan often results in a tacky layer that never fully cures. This allows air pockets to form between the layers of product, resulting in peeling and chipping shortly after application.
Replacing bulbs regularly as directed by the lamp manufacturer helps prevent premature lifting and extends the wear time of gel manicures.
Cure Each Layer Fully
Another culprit behind quick gel polish peeling is inadequate curing time. Each layer of gel, whether color polish or builder gel, needs to be cured fully under the LED or UV lamp. The required time can vary based on thickness of application and specifications from the product manufacturer, but is usually 30-60 seconds per coat.
Skimping on cure times prevents thorough polymerization, much like with old bulbs. The tacky, uncured layers end up permeable to air and moisture, allowing the manicure to lift and peel. One survey showed that nearly 40% of people remove their gel manicure after an average of only 5 days primarily due to peeling and chipping issues. Ensuring each layer cures fully allows for optimal adhesion and hardness, helping gel manicures last for 2-3 weeks without issues.
Troubleshooting LED and UV lamp issues can seem frustrating, but is worthwhile to transform peel-prone manicures into long-lasting ones. Simple maintenance like routine bulb replacement and allowing adequate cure time per layer can make all the difference.
Avoid Hand Washing and Nail Stress
Frequent hand washing and exposure to water can cause gel nails to lift and peel off prematurely. Here’s how to avoid excess nail stress:
Use Gloves for Wet Work
Wearing gloves when doing dishes, cleaning, or other wet work can protect your nails from excess moisture. Vinyl gloves work well and help create a moisture barrier.
Avoid Long Hot Showers
Limit your time in the shower to 5-10 minutes in warm, not hot water. The heat and moisture from long showers can break down the bond between the gel polish and your natural nails.
Apply Cuticle Oil
Massage cuticle oil around your nails twice a day. The oils moisturize the nail beds and protect them from drying out and becoming brittle, which can lead to peeling and cracking.
Use a Nail Dehydrator
Wipe nails with an alcohol-based nail dehydrator before getting them done. This removes excess moisture for better gel adhesion.
Get Fills Every 2-3 Weeks
Don’t go longer than 2-3 weeks between gel manicures. As your natural nails grow out, they can start to separate from the gel polish and lift at the edges.
Protecting your nails from excess moisture while getting regular fills is key to avoiding peeling and enjoying durable gel manicures that can last.
When To Return To The Salon
Got a fresh set of gel nails that started peeling after just a couple of days? Don’t panic. While it’s annoying to pay for a manicure that doesn’t last, peeling gel nails don’t necessarily mean something went wrong at the salon. There are a few reasons gel polish can start to lift or peel so quickly:
1. You didn’t properly prep your nails
One of the biggest reasons gel manicures don’t last is inadequate prep. “Nails need to be properly prepped with nail tips trimmed and filed, cuticles pushed back, and nails buffed before gel polish application for maximum wear,” explains Elle Gerstein, lead educator at Olive & June.
Skipping these steps means the gel won’t bond properly with your nails, resulting in peeling and chipping after just a few days. Don’t be afraid to nicely remind your manicurist to prep your nails if she rushes through this step.
2. You exposed your nails to lots of water
Since gel manicures require UV or LED light to set, exposure to moisture prematurely breaks down the bonds that adhere the polish to your nails. “Excessive hand-washing or other water exposure can compromise the life of your manicure,” says Gerstein.
She recommends wearing gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to protect gel nails from an early demise.
3. You used hand sanitizer frequently
The alcohol in hand sanitizer also works to break down gel polish. While using hand sanitizer is essential right now for health and safety, be prepared for it to make your gel manicure peel faster. Apply hand cream after sanitizing to counteract the drying effects.
4. You picked at your nails
Tempting as it is, avoid picking at your nails if you notice the gel starting to lift around the edges. “Any type of manipulation of the gel, like picking or peeling it off, will compromise the bond,” says Gerstein. Picking can actually make peeling worse by further breaking the remaining adhesion.
Leave any lifting gel alone until you can get back to the salon.
5. Your nails weren’t 100% dry during application
Nail pros rely on UV and LED lamps to set and cure gel polish. But if there’s any moisture under the gel, it prevents it from fully hardening. “Your nail bed has to be 100 percent dry before gel polish is applied,” says Gerstein.
Be sure to thoroughly dry hands after washing them or using lotion before your appointment. And if your nail beds still look or feel damp, ask your manicurist to wipe them with alcohol first.
Don’t suffer through a peeling gel manicure for weeks. Once lifting begins, the damage tends to spread quickly. Gerstein recommends returning to the salon after just 2-3 days of wear if your gel starts peeling.
“At that point the bond between the gel polish and your nail has been compromised and it is time for removal and reapplication,” she says. This will prevent your real nails underneath from becoming damaged while allowing you to get your money’s worth from the service.
And don’t be shy about showing your manicurist the peeling issue and asking if she has any tips to prevent it from happening again. Getting your gel nails reapplied after a couple of days due to peeling also shouldn’t cost extra if you return to the same salon.
Most offer free repairs within 7-10 days of the original appointment. With proper re-prepping of your nails, the gel should then harden strongly and last you a full 2-3 weeks.
Conclusion
Getting a gel manicure that only lasts for 2 days can quickly add up in cost and be very frustrating. Pay attention to nail prep, gel quality, curing, and aftercare to help your manicures last for 7-10 days or even 2-3 weeks.
If issues persist, speak with your nail tech to troubleshoot or consider finding a new salon.
With proper application and care, your gel mani can go the distance and be well worth the investment. No more peeling after just 48 hours!
