Lifting is an issue where the nail product begins to lift away from the natural nail. This can happen for several different reasons and may reduce both the durability and appearance of the nails. Product lifting can also increase the risk of nail conditions, such as nail fungus or green nail syndrome, also known as greenie.
Some of the most common causes of lifting include inadequate nail preparation, oil or moisture on the nail surface, poor application technique, or insufficient curing of the gel polish under the UV/LED lamp.
When the product lifts at the free edge, which is the tip of the nail, it is often because the free edge has not been sealed thoroughly with base coat, color coat, and top coat.
It may also be because the seal has worn away over time. This can happen, for example, if you have filed your nails after application, use a computer frequently for work, or often have your hands in water, such as when cleaning.
Gel polish is not a flexible product, which means that if your natural nail bends underneath it, the gel polish may start to lift from the tip of the nail. The product can also lift if the nail has been knocked or bumped, as this can damage the gel polish and cause it to loosen.
If your product lifts around the cuticle area, it is usually because the prep has not been done thoroughly enough when removing the invisible cuticle and any excess cuticle.
The product may also lift from the nail if the nail plate has not been sufficiently dehydrated with cleanser. It is therefore important to cleanse the nail plate properly, all the way up to the cuticle, before you begin the application. The product may also lift if it comes into contact with the cuticle, as this will cause lifting from the start.
This can also happen if the base coat has not been applied carefully enough, as a color coat cannot adhere to the natural nail and will therefore loosen quickly.
When a product lifts along the sides of the nail, it is typically because the nail has not been cleaned thoroughly enough with cleanser.
A color coat is not designed to be flexible, which means that if your nail bends underneath the product, the product may lift from the nail. If you experience this, we recommend using our builder gel.
When all your product layers come off in one piece, it is often because the nail has not been prepped thoroughly. This includes removing the invisible cuticle, buffing the nail, and cleansing the nail plate.
If you do not dehydrate the nail properly, the products will not adhere to the nail. The product can also come off in one piece if you have skipped key products such as base coat, or if the products have been applied too thickly.
Your gel polish may start to lift from the nail if your nails produce a lot of natural oil. Some people naturally have oilier nails than others.
In this case, it’s important to cleanse the nail thoroughly with cleanser before application. It may also be a good idea to use a PH bond, which helps dehydrate the nail plate, or a primer, which creates a bonding layer on the nail.
Your product can lift anywhere on the nail if it comes into even the slightest contact with the skin.
This can create an air pocket, making it easy for moisture, oils, and bacteria to get underneath, which may lead to nail conditions such as nail fungus and green nail syndrome, as well as reduce wear time.
In addition, it is extremely important to avoid getting product on the skin, as this may pose a risk of allergic reactions.
If the product layers are too thick, they may not cure properly. This can cause bubbles, wrinkling, and peeling.
We recommend applying several thin layers instead of fewer thick layers to achieve better curing and longer-lasting results. Layers that are too thick can leave uncured product on your nail plate for an extended period of time, which may increase the risk of allergic reactions.