10 reasons why your gel polish is peeling off

Your gel polish is peeling off in less than a week? This is not supposed to happen and there can be many reasons for this. We would like to tell you why it is coming off so quickly and give you tips and tricks to prevent it next time.

#1 The gel polish does not stick because you used the wrong or an old lamp

We strongly recommend curing the gel polish with one of our Pink Gellac LED lamps! It depends on the brand which lamp works with their products. Lamps are not universal. There is no such thing as the higher the wattage, the better. Our products work only under lower wattage (LED: underneath 25 Watts) lamps. For reference our lamps are 7-12 Watts. If you use a high wattage lamp with the Pink Gellac polishes, the gel cannot polymerise, what will cause different kinds of problems. Think of it like an oven that's set too high: the surface gets 'burnt' while the inside remains uncooked. Please be aware of this. Using our lamp with our products guarantees that everything should work and gives you the best results. A lamp older than 5 years? Maybe it’s time for you to get a new one. Curious about which lamp suits you best? Check out our full product range or read more about the differences!

#2 Not preparing the nails correctly

‘Preparation is key’ is a saying we would like to repeat quite frequently. For the best results, don’t skip any steps from the instructions. Do not forget to buff the nail plate with a Polishing Block or 180 grit nail file. Then degrease the nails with Cleaner. Don’t use an acetone product or a (regular) nail polish remover to wipe down the dust. Acetone helps with removing gel polish, so please don’t use it for anything else. Regular nail polish remover, even the version without acetone, often contains a moisturising ingredient or some sort of oil which will not work with gel polish. Do not forget to use the Prep Booster before your Base Coat. This neutralises the last oils on the nail and makes sure the gel polish will actually stick to the nail for longer. The Prep Booster air dries quickly, so don’t skip this product. We recommend avoiding direct contact with (warm) water for at least an hour before and after application. Also, do not apply any type of creams or oils to your hands and nails before your application. Even if you degrease your nails, it is easy to miss a spot, that will cause the gel polish to peel off quickly. Read about how to do a perfect nail prep.

#3 Incorrect position in the lamp

It is a common mistake to wrongly position your hand under the lamp. What characterises this mistake? This problem often re-occurs with your thumb. On your left thumb you will see the problem on the bottom right side and on your right you will see it on the bottom left side. This is a sign of an incorrect hand positioning. Keep your fingers as flat and centred as possible under the lamp to make sure the light catches the full nail. Using our compact LED lamp? Put maximum 4 fingers in at a time and cure your thumb separately. Don’t know how far to go under the lamp? Did you know our premium LED lamp has a cove for your middle finger? You can’t go wrong. Also with this lamp you can give extra time to your thumb to make sure its fully cured or place your hand with intention under the lamp.

#4 Damaged or softer nails

If your nails are damaged they are thinner and your free edge will be more flexible. This makes it harder for the gel polish to stay on the nail. It cannot adhere and this will cause lifting or chipping. It is vital to take a break from gel polish. Use the Nail Recovery to nourish and restore the nail plate. Here you can read more on how to use it and all the benefits.

Do you have softer nails in general? We recommend you use the Rubber Base. This Base Coat gives strength to the nails when it is cured.

#5 Using your nails as tools

As seductive as it is, do not use your nails as a utility knife. Try avoiding using your nails as tools, because this will affect your manicure. Grab those scissors instead. Work smart, not hard, baby, and use an actual tool for the job.

#6 Not sealing your nails or filing them directly after

Often forgotten or a bit tricky to do whenever your nails are short, but it is important to seal your gel polish with Top Coat. Make sure to apply it over the full nail to prevent it from lifting or chipping. Don’t forget the edges, side, bottom and even the tip. Whenever your manicure is lifting at the top of your nail, it is a sign of it not being well sealed. It is harder to seal the gel polish with shorter nails. Pull back the skin right underneath the nail and then apply the Top Coat to the tip. Remove excess gel from the skin with a Woodstick or Cuticle pusher. Avoid filing the nail after application as this will remove the Top Coat.

#7 You didn't use the base coat that works the best for you

We have different Base Coats for a reason. Although every Base Coat works with more than one nail type, you may have a better experience using another Base Coat that serves your needs. We all have our favourites. Want to know which Base Coat suits you? Read more about them.

#8 Applying the gel polish to thick

Applying gel polish to thick can give different problems. It can cause wrinkling under the lamp, but it can also peel off quicker. A thick layer of gel may not polymerise all the way through. Whenever there is still uncured gel underneath the cured layer, the gel polish cannot stick to the nail the way it should. See it as a slippery layer underneath your manicure. We recommend you apply two thin layers instead of one thick layer. Same applies to this: rather apply three thinner layers than two thicker layers. It does not help to cure it longer.

#9 Combining different brands together

When you use another brand with Pink Gellac, we cannot guarantee great results. The formulas may not work together or the gel needs another wattage to polymerise. All of our products are coordinated with each other. Everything we promise is possible when you use the products correctly.

#10 Nail biting and picking

We are not here to judge you, but nail biting and picking keeps your manicure from lasting long. Let’s prevent this. Be aware of yourself whenever you’re doing it and try to avoid doing this. It is a habit that can be broken over time. Applying gel polish can already help you. Want some extra strength? Try our Rubber Base!