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Nail polish is a great addition to beautifying nails for women. It doesn’t only add beauty to the nails, it also makes the nails strong. There are different types of nail polish, such as traditional, lacquer, acrylic, poly gel, chrome or metallic, shellac nail polish, gel, dip powder etc. Gel polish is one of the excellent alternatives to regular nail polish which is very long-lasting.
While you may face several problems with gel nail polish like removing, lifting or peeling, wrinkling, etc, and wrinkling of gel polish is a common issue that makes you rethink your technique, the quality of the product, or even the capabilities of the gel nail polish, and its safety concerns. Understanding them is helpful to maintain flawless nail polish.
So, you may ask: Why Is My Gel Polish Wrinkling? The article will explore various scenarios that may lead to gel polish wrinkling, including overly thick layers, improper curing times, incompatible products, etc. I will help you with all the possible reasons for gel polish wrinkling and discover how to prevent it from happening.
The Science Behind Gel Polish
Gel polish is a type of nail polish that is cured or hardened using ultraviolet (UV) or LED light. This type of polish is a popular choice for manicures and pedicures due to its long-lasting and durable nature. It consists of a base coat, colored polish, and a top coat. You can add or mix up colors with gel nail polishes. Each layer is cured under the UV or LED lamp, ensuring that the polish bonds securely to the nail. The curing process also helps to minimize drying time.
It consists of acrylic monomers and oligomers. Unlike traditional nail polish, which air-dries over time, gel polish requires a curing process under a UV or LED light. The light exposure initiates a chemical reaction that hardens the gel polish, creating a strong and glossy finish that can last for several weeks without chipping or fading.
Gel polish comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, allowing various nail art designs and styles. You can use it in nail salons but it can be applied at home also with the necessary equipment and products.
Why Do My Gel Polish Wrinkes: 9 Reasons
The answer is yes. Gel polish can wrinkle and it is the most common issue that you can face with gel polish. When a gel polish is applied incorrectly, the polish bubbles up in spots, creating wrinkles. This is typically brought on by a combination of air being trapped beneath the nail polish coat or improper application of the sealer required to ensure proper drying.
Now that you know gel polish wrinkles, discovering the reasons will make it easier for you to prevent wrinkling! There could be 9 reasons why your gel nail polish is wrinkling after curing. One possibility is that the polish layer is too thick, which can cause the gel to shrink and wrinkle as it cures.
1. Improper Nail Surface Preparation
Sometimes the surface of your nails is not well prepared before applying gel polish. But before you start to apply the base coat or the gel polish color of your choice, you must ensure a proper and healthy nail surface preparation. This includes removing old polish, smoothening the nails for a smooth canvas, cleaning the surface of nails with alcohol, and applying a dehydrator as well. Its base coat needs to be thin while the top coat needs to be thin and smooth. Your gel polish will be more likely to cause wrinkling as soon as those dry if you have none of the layers sufficiently.
2. Problems in Curing
All the gel polish doesn’t cure within the same time dimension. Some gel polishes can cure with the help of a UV lamp, while others won’t even be cured with an LED lamp. So, you should check the period of curing. The gel needs to be cured taking a long time. Otherwise, curing won’t take place properly. Another possibility is that the gel is not being cured at the correct temperature, which can also cause wrinkling. So, as a result of improper curing, some parts of it will remain wet and it will leave you with issues like wrinkling.
3. Excessive Application of Gel Polish
Your nails may become wrinkled due to excessive application of gel polish. This is because if you apply it in excessive amounts unnecessarily, it will become thicker than the nail itself. The gel polish will probably split and cause wrinkling as a result. So, you have to apply a proper amount of gel polish to cover your entire nail without making it appear too thick to avoid wrinkles from happening.
4. Timing of The Application
Your gel polish wrinkle due to the application’s timing could hold the key. Applying gel polish too quickly or too slowly can interfere with the curing process and leave unpleasant wrinkles. With a steady hand, apply each layer of gel polish, and then wait for it to dry evenly. By perfecting the timing technique, you may say goodbye to those bothersome wrinkles and get introduced to a clean, polished gel polish application. Therefore, keep this in mind the next time you go for your gel polish and see no more wrinkles will appear.
5. Use of Old Gel Polish
Sometimes old gel nail polish is used on the nails which due to the evaporation of the ingredients in the gel polish container experiences gradual thickening for a long time. Old polish get becomes excessively dry and hardened. Once the gel polish goes wrong, it becomes difficult to produce an even layer that won’t look awkward since the gel base, color, or topcoat will become thicker. As a result, your old gel polish will cause wrinkling after you apply it.
6. Use of Old or Low-Quality Lamp
An old or insufficient UV lamp can cause wrinkling of your gel nail polish. If the light source isn’t powerful enough, the curing won’t be as effective and the polish can wrinkle. If you notice a lot of wrinkles, make sure your lamp’s bulbs aren’t getting too old. If your lamps are more than two years old, you might also require new ones.
Even though many UV or LED lamps are fairly affordable, these lamps frequently have lesser wattages. For purchasing a UV or LED light, speak with the salesperson. Some lamps also may not sustain due to prolonged use, for example, as a result of continuous curing for performing nail art. It is preferable to spend more money in this case.
7. Wrong Placement of the Light Source
Due to improper placement of the light source, gel nail polish causes wrinkling. To properly cure the gel polish, it must be placed straight under the light source. The wrong placement will cause the nails to wrinkle throughout the curing process.
8. Wrong Placement of the Hands
Your hands need to be placed right under the UV lamp. But you may not place your hands correctly. This may be very natural for you if you are new to using gel polish. When working with deeper color shades, which call for more intense light, proper hand placement is extremely important. Make sure that all of your nails are fully toward the light the next time you do it. Using it frequently will make you used to placing your hands in the correct method.
9. Presence of Moisture and Oil on Nails
The presence of moisture and oil on the nails can be a drawback for the setting of gel polish. Any traces of oils, lotions, or food particles cause the gel polish to be loosely set on the nails. Again, the presence of moisture on the nails, on the gel polish, or even in the surrounding environment, will result in the creation of air pockets on the nails as you apply the gel polish. So, as a result of the presence of moisture and oil, your gel polish can get wrinkled.
Ways to Get Rid of the Wrinkling of Gel Polish
Many people want to fix the wrinkling of gel polish rather than get rid of it. It is the easiest and quickest way which means the application of an extra layer or coat over the old one. But if you do that, the gel polish will easily crack off. Even if one of the layers is not set, and the gel polish is wrinkling, you should not go for it.
- Remove the entire gel polish from your nails and restart the nail.
- Ensure the complete curing of the gel polish.
- Apply the polish in thin layers.
- Use a high-quality lamp that will perform the task correctly.
- Use high-quality and unexpired gel polish.
- Apply the gel polish in a dry environment.
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Necessary Tips for Applying Gel Polish
Following are some necessary tips for gel polish.
- Shake the gel polish container before using it regularly.
- Make sure that every layer of gel polish dries well.
- Apply the polish in thin layers rather than thick layers.
- Keep your nails clean and free of any oils or lotions before applying the polish.
- Do not put your hands in water for a minimum of one hour after the application of the gel.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when applying and curing gel polish.
FAQs
1. What happens if you overcure gel polish?
The stickiness of the layer of gel polish lessens and it turns out to be fragile if you overcure it. Even if you try to remove the substance off your nails with acetone, it won’t have any effect on the hard surface. Just expose your gel base coat to the LED lamp for 45 seconds to prevent over-curing.
2. How many seconds should you cure gel polish?
After coating each nail with a thin layer, cure them under an LED or UV light to dry them. Before moving on, you must let your base coat cure for at least 30 to 60 seconds to guarantee to dry it completely.
3. Is it bad to redo gel nails every week?
Dermatologists advise leaving the nails bare for at least 1-2 weeks in between manicures, even though it is healthy for people to get gel nails every few weeks. The nail is strengthened, repaired, and rehydrated as a result.
4. Why is my gel polish not drying under UV light?
Make sure the bulbs are new if you’re using a traditional UV lamp. Approximately after every three months, you should replace them. It can also happen if you’re using too much gel polish. Gel polish cannot be effectively cured when it is applied to a very thick layer because the UV light cannot pass through the entire layer.
5. Is LED or UV lamps better for gel nails?
Compared to UV lamps, LED nail lamps cure gel polish more quickly. While UV lamps take 2-3 minutes for each coat to cure, LED lamps cure each coat in 30 to 60 seconds. The better choice if you want a rapid and effective curing period is an LED nail lamp.
Final Thoughts
Gel polish has gained significant popularity in the beauty industry. It tends to resist chipping and peeling better than traditional nail polish, making it a popular choice for individuals who want long-lasting nails.
From improper application techniques to product, and placement-related issues, there are several reasons behind the wrinkling of gel polish. Gel curing for a short time or at the incorrect temperature, excessive application of gel polish makes it thicker than the nail itself can cause wrinkling.
Rather than fixing the gel polish, it is better to remove and reapply the polish. Improper application or removal techniques can weaken the nails over time, so you need to follow the procedures carefully. You will be then able to pave the way for picture-perfect nails that will give you a unique look.
Key Points
- Gel polish is a type of nail polish that consists of a base coat, colored polish, and a top coat. Each layer is cured under the UV or LED lamp, ensuring that the polish bonds securely to the nail.
- Before starting to apply the base coat or the gel polish color of your choice, ensure a proper and healthy nail surface preparation by removing old polish, smoothening the nails for a smooth canvas, cleaning the surface of the nails with alcohol, and applying a dehydrator as well.
- When a gel polish is applied incorrectly, the polish bubbles up in spots, creating wrinkles.
- If your gel polish is not cured thoroughly, it will then possibly wrinkle.
- If the light source isn’t powerful enough, the curing won’t be as effective and the polish can wrinkle. So, use a high-quality lamp that will perform the task correctly.
- Remove the entire gel polish from your nails and restart the nail to get rid of wrinkling.
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