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Technique

Why are my gel nails still sticky and thicker on one end?

May 1, 2006

First let’s talk about the stickiness issue. Are you using a gel cleanser after curing? Almost all gel products require a cleanser to be used after curing. Too much stickiness is also a sign of not curing the nail long enough or not curing with the required amount of bulb wattage.

To deal with the thickness problem, watch how the customer is placing her hand under the curing light. She may be tipping the hand to one side or the other and causing the gel to pool in one area. One remedy is to have the customer start curing by turning her hand upside down under the light for the first ten to 15 seconds. After 10 to 15 seconds, turn the hands upright and continue curing for the amount of time required for your gel product. Also, during application, use a thin line of gel down the center of the nail and brush it out using one or two strokes. — Kathi Heim, owner of Kathi’s Hands & Feet in Richmond Heights, Ohio

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