Strengthening nails with gel
An ideal manicure that lasts for several weeks is available to every woman. If your nails do not grow to the desired length, and the decorative coating quickly peels off, you can solve the problem with the help of gel. We will talk about the advantages of the strengthening composition, types of building gels and the features of their use in our article.
Benefits of strengthening nails with gel
How the gel works
How to strengthen nails with gel under gel polish
Using the gel at home
Step-by-step instructions for strengthening nails with gel
Types of gels for strengthening nails
Nail care after applying gel
Recommendations for choosing a gel
Other related articles
Benefits of strengthening nails with gel
Weak, cracking nails are not just an aesthetic problem. They cause difficulties in everyday life: they cling to clothes, delaminate, break when touching any surface, and react to hot water. Even gel polish does not last long on such nails. Many nail artists either refuse to apply the coating or paint, but without a guarantee. Even the minimum two weeks of wearing decorative varnish without chipping is out of the question in this case.
In such situations, it is recommended to strengthen the nails with gel. Pros of the procedure:
Well maintained view. Your nails will look perfectly beautiful - no peeling, brittleness or scratches.
Gel polish lasts longer. The decorative coating does not chip or wear off for three to four weeks.
Growing nails. Under the gel, the nail plate is protected and recovers faster. You can finally grow your nails to the desired length.
Rapidity. Strengthening with gel does not take much time. Only 15–20 minutes are added to the standard manicure procedure.
Safety. The materials used for strengthening are hypoallergenic and do not affect the nail plate.
Possibility of shape correction. You can give your nails any contour you want.
Availability. Unlike full nail extensions, gel strengthening has a lower cost.
Constantly wearing decorative gel polish often leads to thinning nails. Because of this, women are forced to take a break and wait several months for the restoration of the normal state of the nail plate. Gel strengthening quickly solves this problem.
How the gel works
The nail strengthening gel has a viscous consistency and is applied to the nails with a brush. After polymerization in a UV lamp, it hardens and acquires a harder structure than varnish. The gel provides reliable adhesion and creates a strong frame that protects the nail from external influences. It is not afraid of prolonged contact with water and detergents, and is resistant to scratches and even small impacts.
The composition of the product does not have pronounced medicinal properties. Its main task is to reliably protect nails from damage and effectively strengthen their structure. Thanks to the coating, the nail plate has the opportunity to recover and calmly grow to the desired length. The gel is dense, but when hardened, it retains its plasticity and does not cause discomfort. The nails remain flexible, but at the same time gain reliable strength.
The effect of the gel is visible after the first procedure. After 3-4 applications, nails are noticeably restored.
Gel strengthening is in demand not only for long nails. For those with short nail plates, the product allows them to quickly grow a length that they had previously only dreamed of.
How to strengthen nails with gel under gel polish
Strengthening is not an independent procedure - it is one of the stages of manicure or pedicure. The gel is applied after pre-treatment of the nail plate.
Stages of work:
Disinfection of client's hands and work area.
Nail preparation: processing the cuticle, polishing the surface of the nail plate, shaping.
Degreasing the nail, applying primer.
Using a base coat and curing with a UV lamp.
Applying the gel, evenly distributing the material over the entire surface.
Dry thoroughly in a lamp.
Removing the sticky layer, applying moisturizing oil.
If you do not plan to use a colored decorative coating, you can finish your manicure at this stage. Nails will look natural and well-groomed. If you want brightness, then varnish is applied to the hardened gel and the design you like is created. All layers are dried again with a lamp.
It is recommended to avoid contact with water for several hours after the procedure. Further this restriction is removed. You can go about your normal daily activities.
A manicure with gel strengthening retains its ideal appearance for about 3 weeks. Sometimes this period is extended to a month. At the same time, the nails look well-groomed and are reliably protected from mechanical stress.
Using the gel at home
It’s easier to get perfect nails if you use the services of a professional nail technician. Some people prefer to do their own manicure. Modern nail strengthening gels are simple and can be used to
carrying out the procedure at home.
You will need:
special lamp;
cuticle remover;
orange stick or pusher;
buff for polishing;
nail file for shaping nails;
brushes (standard and thin);
gel;
degreaser;
primer;
optional decorative gel polish + base and finishing coat (top) for it.
Step-by-step instructions for strengthening nails with gel
Before starting the procedure, be sure to wash and disinfect your hands. Level and shape your nails using a nail file. In home procedures, it is recommended to use a cuticle remover, since it is quite difficult to do a trimmed manicure yourself. Apply the remover according to the instructions and remove excess cuticle with a wooden stick. Then polish your nails and start applying gel.
The technique is simple:
Place the mixture on a brush and apply a drop to the middle of the nail.
Distribute the layer evenly from the center to the edges - over the entire surface of the nail.
Use a thin brush to carefully finish the edges.
Turn your fingers over with the nail plate facing down and wait 10 seconds. Unroll and inspect to ensure even application.
Dry the coating of each nail in the lamp for 60–90 seconds (the exact time depends on the recommendations of the gel manufacturer).
For home use, choose high quality gels with a uniform consistency. This makes it easier to avoid errors during application and possible unevenness in the finished coating.
Types of gels for strengthening nails
In the modern nail industry, different compositions and formulas are used. It is best to entrust the choice of a nail strengthener to an experienced professional.
Main options:
Classic gel. This is the most popular technology used in most salons and home manicures. Mostly single-phase products are used, which have different consistencies: from a semi-liquid structure to a medium-thick gel. The material can be transparent or have a tinting shade: pink, beige, peach. It is used both for strengthening and for nail extension.
Biogel. The material is characterized by a greater degree of flexibility and elasticity when hardening. In addition, the composition is often enriched with calcium and other useful components that further strengthen the nail plate. The disadvantage of biogel is less resistance to external factors (water, household chemicals, mechanical stress).
Acrylic Powder. This is a constructive composition with a powdery consistency. It is often used in combination with a thin gel coating. The powder gives strength and rigidity to nails and increases the wear time of decorative varnish. However, it does not allow you to increase the length of the nail plate, unlike gel.
Nail care after applying gel
A high-quality strengthening composition reliably protects nails and gives them a chance to grow and recover. To enhance its effect, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
In the first two days, limit contact with hot water. You can, of course, just wash your hands, but you shouldn’t steam them while washing a mountain of dishes. This may affect the durability of the coating.
Approach the task comprehensively. While the gel protects your nails from the outside, you can strengthen them from the inside. Take vitamin complexes, adjust your diet, drink enough clean water. All these measures will contribute to faster recovery, hydration and natural growth of the nail plate.
Don't file your nails. The ends of the nails are securely sealed with gel. If you file it yourself, the protective layer will wear off and the nail may break.
Don't go overboard with the load. After strengthening with gel, nails become hard and seem literally invulnerable. This does not mean that they should not be protected. Don't carelessly open soda cans or pick at metal surfaces - even strong nails may not be able to withstand it.
Take care of your hands. It's not just the nail plate that needs attention. Use moisturizers, baths, hand masks and cuticle oil. Additional home care will help prolong the flawless appearance of your manicure.
Recommendations for choosing a gel
Working with the constructing composition requires a certain dexterity and skill. There are also nuances when choosing a product. For example, when manicuring long natural nails, it is recommended to use a hard gel over the base layer. In this case, after 3 weeks of wear (and even more), not a single “springboard” will appear on the nails. Soft bases on long nails “sag” over time, losing the aesthetic appearance of a neat manicure.
One of these products is the STRONG gel base from ROSILAK. The product is suitable for strengthening natural nails, as well as for repairing and extending short lengths. The material extends the life of the varnish coating and reliably protects the nails. The thick gel base is safe, easy to use and is successfully used by nail artists even in the most difficult cases.
Strengthening nails with gel is often a necessary measure. Too thin, or brittle and peeling nail plates can be a consequence of changes in the body and external negative influences. Often the body lacks the necessary vitamins and minerals, nails weaken due to chronic diseases, and household chemicals spoil the nail plate. Hard gel is necessary and useful for strengthening the nail, repairing and, if necessary, extending a short nail length.
