How Long Does It Take Gel Nail Polish To Dry?
If you just got a fresh gel manicure, you’re probably wondering how long you have to wait before your nail polish is completely dry and cured. Nothing’s worse than leaving the nail salon only to get a dent or scratch on your pristine polish minutes later.
So how long do you really need to wait before your gel mani is good to go? Read on for a complete breakdown on gel nail polish drying times.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: It takes gel nail polish 10-30 minutes to air dry under an LED or UV lamp. But for a full cure, you should wait 24 hours before exposing your gel manicure to water or other harsh elements.
Drying vs. Curing: The Difference
Air drying under the lamp
When you get a gel manicure done at the salon, the technician will apply a gel nail polish and cure each coat under an LED or UV lamp. The lamp emits light that causes the gel polish to harden and dry. This drying process usually takes about 30 seconds per coat under the lamp.
Drying under the lamp makes the polish feel dry to the touch shortly after the manicure is done.
However, even though the gel may feel dry after being cured under the lamp, the drying process is not complete. The outer layers of the polish may feel hardened, but it takes longer for the innermost layers to completely dry and set.
So air drying under the lamp is just the first step in the process and only causes the polish to dry partially on the surface.
Complete curing process
For gel nail polish to become fully dry and cured, it needs to complete both the air drying and chemical curing stages. Air drying under the UV or LED lamp is fast, usually taking 30 seconds per coat. But the full curing process takes much longer.
Chemical curing occurs as the ingredients in the gel polish react together over time. This internal process allows the polish to cross-link and fully harden. It continues over the next 24-48 hours as the remaining solvents evaporate from the innermost layers of the polish.
So although the polish may feel dry to the touch shortly after your manicure appointment, the curing and hardening process still continues. It takes about a full day for the gel manicure to be completely set and cured throughout all layers.
Passing the 24 hour mark ensures your manicure is as durable and long-lasting as intended.
The air drying under the lamp provides the initial hardened feel of the polish. But allowing the full curing time lets the color lock in and prevents chipping, smudging, or fading over time. Being patient as the gel nail polish undergoes both drying and curing stages allows for the perfect, long-lasting manicure.
How Long Does Gel Polish Need to Dry?
When getting a gel manicure, one of the most common questions is how long the polish needs to dry or cure under the lamp. Gel polish cure times can vary depending on the type of light used and other external factors.
Under an LED lamp
LED lamps emit UV and visible light to quickly cure or harden gel polish. Most LED lamps take 30-60 seconds to cure a layer of gel color. A typical manicure requires 2 coats, so you’ll cure each layer for 30-60 seconds.
Curing 2 coats under an LED lamp takes 1-2 minutes total. LED technology allows rapid curing without much heat damage.
Under a UV lamp
Standard UV lamps emit ultraviolet light to cure gel polish. UV lamps tend to have longer cure times than LED lamps.
Each layer of gel polish requires 2-3 minutes of curing under a UV lamp. So curing 2 color coats takes 4-6 minutes total. The longer cure times come from the UV lamps emitting less varied light wavelengths.
Factors that affect drying time
While LED and UV lamps have general cure times, other factors can slightly lengthen or shorten how long gel manicures need to dry:
- Number of coats – Additional layers means longer curing
- Nail tech’s application style – Thick coats take longer to cure
- Gel polish brand – Some gels cure faster than others
- Lamp power and age – Old bulbs lose effectiveness
- Darker gel colors – Can inhibit light penetration
- Temperature and humidity – Heat and moisture slow curing
While drying times vary, you can expect beautiful, durable gel manicure results. Just be sure to cure each layer properly under the lamp for the recommended time.
When is Gel Polish Fully Cured?
24 hours for full cure
Gel nail polish goes through a two-step curing process to reach its maximum hardness and durability. The first step is the initial curing under the LED or UV lamp after application. This takes about 30-60 seconds and results in a dry, solid finish.
However, the curing process continues for a full 24 hours after that initial zap. During this time, chemical cross-linking takes place as the gel continues to harden and cure. After a full 24 hours, the gel polish is considered fully cured.
It’s important not to soak the nails, scrub them harshly, or pick at them during that first 24 hours. Water can interfere with the curing process, causing the polish to stay sticky or soft. Any rough treatment or pressure can also disturb the setting gel.
The best practice is to keep the nails dry and protected during the entire curing period.
7-10 days for maximum hardness
While gel polish is fully cured and ready to go after 24 hours, the setting process continues for up to 10 days after application. During this time, the jail reaches its maximum strength, hardness, and scratch resistance.
The long curing time is one reason gel manicures can last up to 3 weeks without chipping or peeling.
The gel polish gets a little bit harder and more durable each day as more cross-linking takes place. After about 1 week, the improvement levels off. There is not much noticeable difference between day 7 and day 10. So most sources say maximum hardness is reached in 7-10 days.
There’s no special care or considerations needed during this phase. After 24 hours, clients can resume normal hand washing, chores, exercise, etc. The extended curing timeline happens automatically as you go about regular daily activities.
Tips for Drying Gel Nail Polish
Wipe the tacky layer
One of the best tips for drying gel nail polish faster is to wipe away the sticky tacky layer on top of the manicure after curing under the LED or UV lamp. This top layer of residue prevents the full curing and drying of the gel polish underneath.
Use a lint-free wipe or pad soaked in 99% isopropyl alcohol to gently wipe away this tacky film. This helps ensure the gel polish layers fully cure and harden. Leaving the sticky layer can lead to chipping, peeling and damage to the manicure.
Avoid water exposure
It’s important to avoid excessive exposure to water when you first get a gel manicure. Things like washing dishes, swimming, or showering can lead to water getting underneath the gel polish before it fully cures and lead to lifting or peeling.
Try to limit water exposure for at least the first 2 hours after getting a gel manicure. The more time you allow the gel polish to set before water exposure, the longer your manicure will last.
Use nail oil
Using nail oil is a great way to help hydrate and nourish the natural nails after gel polish application. The LED and UV lamps used to cure gel polish can lead to dryness, brittleness, and damage over time. Apply a drop of nail oil around the edges of each nail after removing gel polish.
Jojoba, vitamin E, and coconut oils are great options. Massage the oil into the bare nails and cuticles to replenish moisture. This helps strengthen the nails and cuticles after gel removal so they stay healthy for your next manicure.
Conclusion
Getting a gel manicure can be a great way to keep your nails looking fabulous, but you do need to take proper drying and curing time into account. Allow 10-30 minutes under the LED or UV lamp to air dry, then wait a full 24 hours before exposing your nails to moisture or other elements.
Following these guidelines will help your manicure last as long as possible without dents, smudges or chips.
With the right prep and patience for drying and curing, gel polish can give you up to 2-3 weeks of glorious, glossy color. Just be vigilant about allowing it adequate time to set, and your mani will be smooth sailing.
