Why Does My Gel Polish Peel Off? Quick & Easy Fix Guide

Why Does My Gel Polish Peel Off? Quick & Easy Fix Guide 2024!

One of the most common problems I see as a nail technician is a gel polish that has started to peel off. There are several reasons why this may happen, and it is important to understand what these reasons are to avoid them. In this article, I will discuss some of the most common causes of peeling gel polish and how to prevent them.

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So why won’t my gel nail polish stay on?

Gel nail polish has quickly become one of the most popular ways to get your nails done. It’s long-lasting, doesn’t chip, and looks great. But what happens when it starts to peel or chip off? Here are some tips on why your gel nail polish might not be staying on and how to fix it!

You’re not alone if you’ve ever had your gel nail polish start to peel or chip off shortly after getting it done. It’s a frustrating problem that can happen for a number of reasons.

9 Reasons Why your gel polish peels off

Some reasons may include using a base coat that is not compatible with gel polish, using a top coat that is not compatible with gel polish, using a nail polish remover that is not compatible with gel polish, and applying too much or too little pressure when applying the gel polish. Gel polish can be a great way to achieve long-lasting manicures, but it is essential to use the products correctly to avoid any issues.

9 Most Common Reasons Why Your Gel Polish Peels off

  1. Smooth surfaces can cause your gel polish to chip.
  2. If the free edge isn’t filed properly or the cuticles aren’t removed, your polish will chip.
  3. Oils and other substances on your nails can also cause your gel polish to chip.
  4. Applying a base coat too thickly can also lead to chipping.
  5. Polish applied too thickly can also lead to chipping.
  6. If your nails are weak, they may crack and cause the polish to chip.
  7. If the layers of the natural nail underneath the gel polish are not removed, the polish may peel and chip.
  8. Not capping the free edge on every layer can lead to chipping.
  9. Chipped gel polish can also be caused by not following the manufacturer’s instructions.

1. Smooth surfaces can cause your gel polish to chip

Nails that are too smooth can be a real pain because you want them to be smooth in order to get a flawless application. The littlest piece of something will only be exaggerated once you apply a few layers of polish. But, if that nail is too smooth, naturally, the polish will have nothing to hold on to, and it will chip!

Think of it this way: if you painted a pane of glass with gel polish, chances are you’d be able to peel it right off. But if you painted a pane of frosted glass, which is sometimes in bathroom windows, you’d have to scrape and scratch to get it off.

The best thing to use to remove the shine of the nail and make it a little bit rough is a 180 grit buffing block. Don’t cheap out here! I have bought buffing blocks from different sources ranging from cheap China to luxury expensive. Sometimes you can go cheap on things, but don’t do it with buffing blocks. Just trust me on this one.

The bottom line is that nails that are too smooth can be a real pain. If you want to avoid chips and peeling, use a 180 grit buffing block to remove the shine from your nails. This will give the polish something to grip onto and help your manicure last longer.

2. If the free edge isn’t filed properly, or if the cuticles aren’t removed, your polish will chip

You’re not alone if you’ve ever filed your nails and found little filings sticking underneath the free edge. This happens when the section you’ve filed away to get the perfect shape on your free edge doesn’t just fall onto the table beneath. It puts up a fight and curls underneath.

It’s not attached very well, but it’s gripping on for dear life. You can see an excellent example of this if you file a significant amount of a plastic tip. The same thing happens on a natural nail, just on a smaller scale.

The moral of this story is to clean underneath the nail with a cuticle knife or something similar to break away the wee filings before you clean the nail. You won’t have any gel polish coming away with them.

3. Oils and other substances on your nails can also cause your gel polish to chip

Removing the cuticles is an essential step in giving yourself a professional-looking manicure. When you don’t remove them properly, your nails will look bad, but they will also feel rough. If you’re having trouble removing them, you can watch this video I made to see how I do it. In the video, I show how to remove the cuticles without using a liquid or cream cuticle remover. I then trim the proximal nail fold to ensure an exact application of gel polish.

4. Applying a base coat too thickly can also lead to chipping

There’s no way to get a lasting mani with oils and other substances on your nails. You may think you’ve gotten rid of everything, but it’s worth going the extra mile. Get a lint-free wipe, some isopropyl alcohol, and scrub the nail clean. Then use acetone to get rid of any remaining oil. This will make sure your mani lasts as long as possible.

5. Polish applied too thickly can also lead to chipping

The base coat is essential for any gel polish application. It helps to adhere the color to the nail and creates a smooth surface for the polish to adhere to. However, applied too thickly, it can inhibit the color from adhering properly and lead to chipping. A thin layer is best.

When applying the base coat, remove most of the polish from the brush and do all five nails with one dip. Start with the thumb, as there will be more polish on the brush for the first nail than the last. By the time you get to the pinky, you should have just enough left.

Also, scrub the base coat into the nail that is all roughed up from the brand new buffing block you used. Get it in between all those microscopic scratches. Scrub a dub dub!

6. If your nails are weak, they may crack and cause the polish to chip

Nails are too weak and, when bent, cause tiny cracks in the polish.

Many people, including myself, have had a lot of different clients over the years. And I’ve painted my nails with gel polish at least 5 million times. I noticed that when weak nails are painted in gel polish, they get harder. What a treat for us bendy nailed girls, right!

Well, yes, but no. A gel polish overlay isn’t going to give as much strength as, say, an acrylic or hard gel overlay. So the nails are still going to bend. This isn’t so much a problem for people who have naturally strong nails, but for those who are a bit bendy, it’s a problem, especially if they are long.

The clue is in the title. When the nail repeatedly bends or with enough force, it is going to cause hairline fractures in the gel polish, especially the topcoat, as that cures the hardest of all the layers. You might notice this particularly if you are using a top coat designed to be applied only over acrylics or hard gel. When there is a tin crack in the polish, water and oils are going to get underneath. And if your client is being a good girl and applying her cuticle oil daily, they are extra doomed. It’s going to compromise the adhesion, and yup, you guessed it. It’s going to chip or crack in the polish, water, and oils are going to get underneath.

7. If the layers of the natural nail underneath the gel polish are not removed, the polish may peel and chip

Thick layers of polish can ruin your mani. It can make the polish chip and peel faster and make your nails look messy. The same is true for topcoat.

Light blue is a notoriously difficult color to get good coverage with. I often find myself applying it on the thicker side, which is not ideal. I wish I could tell you why this happens, but unfortunately, I don’t know the answer.

All I can say is that any experienced nail technician will tell you that thin layers are key to getting long-lasting results. You can do a little experiment to see for yourself if you don’t believe me. Paint one hand with two thick layers of polish, and paint the other hand with three thin layers.

When I say thin, I mean that the first layer should be almost transparent. You might think you’re already doing thin layers, but are you sure you couldn’t go thinner? If you could, then you probably should.

The second and third layers can be a bit thicker, but they should still be thin enough that if they were the only layer on a nail, they wouldn’t provide full coverage.

Remember back in high school when we would put white glue on our hands, let it dry, and then peel it off? It was always easier to peel off in one piece if you applied a thick layer, but if you wanted it to dry quickly and only applied a thin layer, you had to peel it off in pieces or, worse, scrape it off with your fingernail. The same principle applies to gel polish. So next time you’re tempted to go for a thick layer, think about the long-term consequences and go for thin instead. Your nails will thank you!

8. Not capping the free edge on every layer can lead to chipping

Peeling layers of natural nails can be a problem but don’t worry, and I have a few solutions. Sometimes the layers start to peel away from each other for whatever reason, and putting a layer of gel polish over the top is not going to stop it. Especially if it is near the free edge and being abused by day-to-day life, it may not peel off entirely, but it has chipped every time I have painted over a peeling nail. So now, when I get a client with a peeling nail, I need to make a decision. I buff it out and polish it over it if it is superficial enough. Sometimes it is too many layers, too deep, and I have to leave it be. Of course, if you offer some treatment for this like Ibex or the like, it would be the perfect time to trade your services up.

Do you want fries with that?

In short, peeling layers of natural nails can be a problem, but there are ways to fix it. If the peeling is superficial, you can buff it out and repolish. However, if the peeling is too deep, you may have to leave it be. And if you’re looking for a way to prevent peeling nails in the future, consider getting a treatment like Ibex. Please make a note of it on the consultation card, and I hope for the best!

9. Chipped gel polish can also be caused by not following the manufacturer’s instructions

Nailing the free edge is key to a good mani.

Here are three tips for doing it right:

  1. Make sure every layer of polish is complete, from the base to the topcoat.
  2. Paint the entire nail, paint the free edge, and paint the nail again.
  3. Inspect your work carefully before curing, and make sure there are no bald spots or uneven coverage.

Following these tips will help you avoid chipping, peeling, and other mani problems. So take your time, and get that free edge perfect!

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How to fix gel nails that have lifted

When gel nails start to lift, it can be a major annoyance. But with a few simple steps, you can correct the problem and have your nails looking their best again in no time!

To fix gel nails that have lifted, start by gently pushing down on the lifted area with a cuticle pusher. If the nail is still lifting, use a file to slightly roughen up the surface of the nail so that the gel will have something to adhere to. Next, apply a thin layer of primer to the entire nail and let it dry for a minute or two. Once the primer is dry, apply your gel polish as usual. Cure your nails under a UV or LED light for the recommended amount of time to ensure that your nails are properly cured and will not lift.

With these simple steps, you can easily fix gel nails that have been lifted and enjoy long-lasting, beautiful nails!

How to prevent them from lifting

Tips for keeping your nails healthy and free from peeling

Keeping your nails healthy is essential for avoiding any problems with peeling gel polish.

There are a few things you can do to help keep your nails healthy and free from peeling:

  • Use a base coat that is compatible with gel polish.
  • Use a top coat that is compatible with gel polish.
  • Use a nail polish remover that is compatible with gel polish.
  • Apply the gel polish in thin layers, and avoid applying too much pressure.
  • Keep your nails hydrated by using a moisturizing cream or oil regularly.
  • Avoid using harsh chemicals on your nails, such as acetone or nail polish remover.
  • Trim and file your nails regularly to keep them in good condition.
  • Wear gloves when doing household chores or using harsh chemicals.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your gel polish from peeling and keep your nails healthy and strong. If you do experience peeling, be sure to consult with a professional nail technician to find out the cause and how to fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my gel nails not last?

One of the most common reasons is that the nails were not properly cleaned before applying gel polish. Any oil or residue on the nails will prevent the gel from adhering properly. Cleanse your nails with an alcohol-based cleanser before your manicure to avoid this issue.

How do you get gel nails to stay on?

If you find that your gel nail polish is still not lasting as long as you’d like, there are a few things you can do to try and prolong the life of your manicure. First, make sure to apply a thin layer of gel polish. Thick layers are more likely to peel or chip. Second, use a quality top coat. A good top coat will help protect the color and prevent chipping. Finally, avoid getting your nails wet for the first few hours after your manicure to give the polish time to set.

Why do my gel nails peel off after one day?

Gel nail polish might not be lasting because the nails were not buffed enough before application. The surface of the nails should be smooth so that the gel has something to adhere to. If the nails are too rough, the gel will have a hard time staying on.

Why do my gels keep peeling off?

Because you have made one of these mistakes, your nails have Too smooth of a surface or Filings underneath the free edge!

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