Troubleshoot lifting problems?
Posted Nov 5, 2022, 4:53 PM UTC
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Hi! I have been doing my nails for about a year now and I have consistent lifting problems at the base and sides of my nails. I think perhaps I have oily nail beds but am sure how to tell? During prep, I have tried buffing my nail and dusting it, buffing and washing and drying with alcohol, I have used ph bonder and always ensure I cure the base for the appropriate length of time.. I’ve used different types of bases with no luck! Not sure what to do next but it typically looks like this in about a week.
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Product list: Modelones base + top coat and polygel application here. This is new but I also used builder gel previously.
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Try an acid primer.
Also stay away from the hema product.
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Did product touch skin?
Soak off gel and polygel will not adhere to skin, the skin will shed within a day or two and leave a moisture trap. On exposure to constant moisture, the product will lift and the lifted area will get bigger because more moisture gets trapped.
Plot twist: you might not be able to see the skin that it touched, especially with oily nail beds. Sometimes the layer of dead skin that grows onto the nail plate is nearly invisible on some people until it is disturbed in some way (that is the case for me...in its natural state mine doesn't flake much and it is nearly invisible until I start to remove it).
Also r/DIYGelNails is a new sub where we can help a lot with questions like this 🙂 currently recruiting people who do their own gel nails, of any skill level, to help each other with DIY gel tips.
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When I did them professionally, I had problems with the ladies who used their fingertips at work on a cash register or really anything pushing buttons often. The longer your nail is, the weaker it gets at the back, and it will lift at the back from using your tips too often. Learn to use the pad of your fingers. It's been said, but good advice. Don't let the product touch skin. Even if it's just plain nail polish. Nail polish will peel. Sometimes, the nail technician may smooth the nail to thin around the edges with the drill or file or not apply enough product around the edge or bottom. If you feel heat, it's been filed to close to the natural bed and will lift, even causing infection. When I did them professionally, I had problems with the ladies who used their fingertips at work on a cash register or really anything pushing buttons often. The longer your nail is, the weaker it gets at the back, and it will lift at the back from using your tips too often. Learn to use the pad of your fingers.
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Also, avoid using degreasing cleaning products. Oh, and Dawn and Palmolive will cause lifting, too.
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Aw bummer, hate when that happens. It looks like you may be getting too close to the cuticle and side wall. You will have lift all over if you do that. Another tip for when you're growing your nails out and the lift comes from the free edge, put a lil dab of gel around the free edge (like a cap) and it will keep it adhered there. I noticed as my nails grew out longer and harder, it did stop lifting around the free edge and I don't have to cap anymore.
Just my experience - I use Orly BIAB, with orly primer and I never use a base coat. I don't ever remove it, I just fill, reshape/balance, and change my polish.
What do you mean by “getting too close”?
Nail polish, trimming, filing?
Oh, my bad - I wasn't clear. The product is too close to the skin and cuticle. It can only adhere to the nail plate, so if it gets on the skin anywhere it will lift. I can see on the pointer finger where it looks like you may have trimmed at the cuticle and that is a classic sign of the enhancement lifting off the nail, when it lifts from the cuticle like that.
It could also mean that you are not effectively pushing the cuticle back off the nail plate and removing it before you apply the gel.
A tip for gel product application - because it is self-leveling it will always go with gravity. When you apply it to your nails have your nails pointed towards you with the free edge down (like your looking at your claws on your palm). If you apply this way the product will always run down the free edge and never towards the cuticle and sidewalls. With all builder gel and gel polish you can always flip your nails upside down so that gravity pulls the bead down in a beautiful shape (It's very helpful if you lose control of the product that you applied to the nail)
I'm sure you already know but I'll say anyway - be very cautious and don't get product on your skin because it can cause an allergic sensitization and prevent you from using most nail products.
THANK YOU 💜
I fell down in acrylics a year ago, and the 2 nails that popped off have been having lifting issues ever since 😭
Oh the little cap tip? I learned that from my nail lady Racist Donna. She had some good qualities...🥲
This all makes total sense. And this was my first time with polygel, so I did get a bit closed an filed back the cuticle side. Usually I’m more finessed with the biab and don’t touch the skin but still have the problem. I actually never have lifting at my free end because I wrap my tips!
Polygel is way too "fixed" for me. I need the self-leveling and control that builder in a bottle gives.
if it's polygel it's possible that you are just using too much liquid (source: an error i do everytime with certain super sticky polygels). For me the issue was that a chinese one is too sticky so it requires my brush to have more liquid than normal, the liquid goes under the cuticle with some product and when i cure it it sticks to my cuticle; i kinda solved this with a higher quality polygel (and a new brush)
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