Liam Carter
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those wanting long-lasting, chip-free nails. However, the process can be tough on nails, causing brittleness, peeling and cracking. So, how can you make your nails long with gel polish? Well, the good news is that gel manicures can help your nails grow, but it's important to take certain precautions. Firstly, always ensure your manicurist is using sterilised tools and never allow them to cut your cuticles as this can lead to inflammation and infection. Before your manicure, it's a good idea to cleanse your nails with alcohol and a lint-free wipe to help the gel polish adhere better. When applying the gel polish, use thin coats and cap the free edge of your nail to prevent lifting. Finally, be sure to use a top coat to seal in colour and protect your nails from chipping.
How to make your nails long with gel polish
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gel manicure glove | Protects your skin from the UV light used to cure the gel polish on your nail |
| UV/LED curing lamp | Used to harden the gel polish layers, making the gel nails more durable and chip-resistant |
| Gel base coat | Helps the gel polish bind to the natural nail, creating a smooth surface that makes the gel nails more durable |
| Gel top coat | Seals in the color and provides a glossy finish that protects the nails from chipping and peeling |
| Gel nail polish | Paint thin layers for a long-lasting manicure, and cap the free edge of your nail after applying each layer |
| Removal | Only soak your fingertips in acetone |
| Cuticles | Push back to create a cleaner and more visible nail surface area |
| Buffing | Ensures the nail plate is free and clear of any remaining dead skin lingering near the cuticles |
| Nail health | Take a nail polish holiday. Try not to wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. This will allow your nails time to repair |
| Nail health | Rehydrate your nails. Between polishes, apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping your nails
Push Back Your Cuticles
Using a cuticle pusher, gently push back your cuticles to expose more of your nail bed. This step is crucial as it creates a cleaner and larger surface area for the gel polish to adhere to. Make sure to be gentle and avoid cutting or pushing down too hard on the cuticles, as this can lead to inflammation and infection.
Buff and File Your Nails
Buffing your nails helps create a rough surface for the gel polish to cling to, making your manicure more durable. Use a 180-grit nail file or a nail buffer and hold it parallel to your nail. Buff the surface of your nails using circular motions, aiming for 6-8 strokes per nail. Be sure to buff all around the edges and inner corners to prevent the gel polish from lifting.
Trim and Shape Your Nails
Use a nail clipper to trim your nails to the desired length and shape. If you have weaker nails, it's recommended to keep them on the shorter side to minimize breakage. Then, use a nail file to gently file your nails into a rounded shape, smoothing out the edges for a more even application of gel polish.
Cleanse Your Nails
It's important to cleanse your nails to remove any excess oil, dirt, or grime. Saturate a cotton pad with isopropyl alcohol and wipe each nail thoroughly. Follow up with a lint-free wipe to ensure your nails are clean and free of any dust or residue. This step helps the gel polish adhere better and extends the life of your manicure.
Prime Your Nails
Apply a thin, even layer of nail primer to further dehydrate your nails and create an optimal surface for the gel polish. Brush the primer onto each nail and wait for it to dry completely before moving on to the next step. A good primer will help prevent gel polish from lifting and chipping, especially around the tips of your nails.
Remember, always be gentle when prepping your nails and avoid over-buffing or over-filing, as this can damage your nail bed. Now that your nails are prepped and primed, you're ready to start applying your gel polish!
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Applying gel polish
Firstly, you need to shape your nails. Use a nail clipper to trim them to the desired length and shape, then use a nail file to round out the edges for a smooth application. Shorter nails are less likely to break, chip, and peel, so consider keeping them on the shorter side.
Secondly, push back your cuticles to create a cleaner and more visible nail surface area. This will make for a larger nail bed, giving you a bigger canvas to paint on. You can use a cuticle pusher to do this, and it is important to also buff the nail plate to remove any remaining dead skin lingering near the cuticles. This buffing step will also remove the nail's natural oils and shine, which could act as a barrier between the nail and the polish. Be sure to buff all around the edges of your nail to prevent the gel polish from lifting.
Thirdly, cleanse your nails with alcohol and a lint-free wipe. This will get rid of any excess oil, dirt, and grime, and ensure the product really adheres.
Next, use a nail primer to further dehydrate your nails. Brush a thin, even layer of gel nail primer across each nail, and wait for it to dry completely. Applying a primer prevents gel polish from lifting and chipping, especially around the tips of your nails.
Now it's time to apply the gel polish. Dip your brush into the gel polish, then wipe the excess polish on the sides of the container. You will need to apply thin coats, as a little gel polish goes a long way. Three to four thin coats will come out better than two thick coats. With each layer, be sure to cap the free edge of your nail.
Finally, apply a gel top coat. This will seal in the colour and provide a glossy finish that protects the nails from chipping and peeling.
To cure the gel polish, place your nails under a UV/LED lamp. If you have an LED lamp, cure the base coat for at least 30 seconds. If you have a UV lamp, leave your nails under for 130 seconds.
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Curing gel polish
Gel polish is a type of nail polish that needs to be cured with a special UV or LED lamp. The curing process involves using a specially designed UV or LED light to seal and harden the gel nail polish, creating a solid layer of colour that resists chipping and wear. This process is known as polymerisation, which causes the molecules in the gel polish to bond together. The duration of the curing process can vary depending on your nail type and the type of lamp used, ranging from a few seconds to several minutes.
To cure gel polish, start by pushing back your cuticles and buffing the surface of your nails to create a rough surface for the gel polish to cling to. Clean the nail bed with alcohol and a lint-free wipe to remove any oil, dirt, or grime. Then, apply thin layers of gel nail polish, as thick layers may not cure properly and cause lifting, wrinkling, or ridges. If using an LED lamp, cure the base coat for at least 30 seconds. If using a UV lamp, cure for 130 seconds. Remember to cure each layer completely before proceeding to the next one.
After completing the final layer, use an acetone-soaked cotton pad to remove any tacky residue. It is also important to note that improperly cured gel can lead to irritation and allergies, so it is crucial to follow the instructions provided by the gel polish manufacturer to ensure proper curing.
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Maintaining your manicure
Keep Nails Dry and Clean
Water and chemicals are the enemies of gel nails. Always wear gloves when doing chores, especially those involving water or harsh cleaning products. If your job requires you to submerge your hands in water, wear rubber gloves to protect your manicure.
Moisturise Your Cuticles
Your nails and cuticles need hydration to prevent them from becoming brittle and to keep them from chipping. Apply a moisturising product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily. However, when applying lotion or oil, avoid the nail surface and only apply to the surrounding skin and cuticle area.
Avoid Using Nails as Tools
Treat your nails gently and avoid using them as tools to open cans, remove staples, or for aggressive typing. Avoid any activities that put stress on the edges of your nails, as gel polish can still chip if the edges are weakened.
Apply Cuticle Oil Daily
Daily use of cuticle oil will keep your nails and the surrounding skin hydrated, preventing chips and breaks. It will also help to keep your nail plate healthy and less prone to breakage if accidentally hit.
Rehydrate Nails Between Polishes
In between gel manicures, take a break from nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. During this time, rehydrate your nails by applying a moisturising product several times a day. This will help to minimise brittleness and prevent your nails from chipping.
Remove Gel Polish Properly
When it's time to remove your gel manicure, avoid the temptation to pick or peel it off. Improper removal can cause damage, including peeling, lifting, and thinning of the nail. Instead, book an appointment with your manicurist to have the polish removed correctly, or use the proper tools and techniques to remove it yourself.
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Removing gel polish
Removing gel nail polish at home can be done in two main ways: the traditional method and with a gel nail polish remover. The traditional method involves using acetone, which is effective at removing gel nail polish, but can be harsh on the nails and skin. It is important to note that acetone is required to remove gel polish.
- Work on one hand at a time.
- Choose a well-ventilated area to work in, as acetone has a strong smell.
- Protect your work area with a cloth to avoid acetone stains.
- File down the gel top coat with a coarse nail file until it is no longer shiny and smooth. Be careful not to over-file, as this can damage your nail bed.
- Cut 10 squares of aluminium foil, big enough to wrap around each fingertip.
- Tear off 10 pieces of cotton balls or pads, ensuring they fit just the nail bed of each nail.
- Soak the cotton balls or pads in acetone.
- Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect from the acetone.
- Wrap your fingertips with the acetone-soaked cotton balls and then cover with the aluminium foil.
- Leave the foil on for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and gently wipe off any remaining gel polish with a warm, wet washcloth. Be careful to only rub the nail and avoid the surrounding skin.
- Wash your hands with gentle, fragrance-free soap and water to remove any remaining acetone.
- Apply petroleum jelly to your cuticles and the skin around your nails for the next seven days to reduce any irritation caused by the acetone.
Alternatively, you can use a gel nail polish remover, which is faster, simpler, and requires fewer tools. Follow the instructions on the product for the best results.
It is important to note that you should never pick, scrape, or file off gel nail polish as this can damage your nails and cause white spots. Instead, be patient and let the acetone or gel remover do the work for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, but they can also be tough on nails. To make your nails long with gel polish, you should:
- Use a builder gel or gel extensions to achieve the desired length.
- Take breaks between gel manicures to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate.
- Apply a moisturising product to your nails and cuticles to prevent brittleness and chipping.
Before applying gel polish, it is important to prepare your nails properly to ensure the gel polish adheres well and lasts longer. Here are the steps you should take:
- Push back your cuticles to expose more of your nail bed and allow the gel polish to adhere better.
- Buff the surface of your nails to create a rough surface for the gel polish to cling to.
- Cleanse your nails with alcohol and a lint-free wipe to remove any oil, dirt, or grime.
When applying gel polish, it is important to use thin coats to achieve a smooth and long-lasting finish. Here are some tips:
- Use short, controlled strokes to achieve even lines around the edges of your nails.
- Avoid getting gel polish on your cuticles and skin, as this can cause premature lifting.
- "Cap" the edge of the nail by painting a single stroke onto the end of the nail to seal the polish and prevent lifting.
Removing gel polish can be a long and tedious process, but it is important to do it safely to avoid damaging your nails. Here are some tips:
- Avoid picking or peeling off gel polish, as this can be harmful to your nails.
- Soak your fingertips in acetone or use acetone-soaked cotton balls wrapped in aluminium foil to remove the polish.
- Only soak your fingertips to minimise the impact on the surrounding skin.
Maintaining long nails with gel polish requires some extra care and attention. Here are some tips:
- Avoid using your nails as tools to prevent breakage or chipping.
- Wear rubber gloves when submerging your hands in water to protect your manicure.
- Apply cuticle oil daily to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated and healthy.
