Technique

Can you explain the difference between a regular gel and a builder gel?

December 02, 2005 | Bookmark +

I’m in school. Can you explain the difference between a regular gel and a builder gel?

Answer

The simple answer is that builder gels are much thicker than regular gels. The term “gel” refers to a certain viscosity of a liquid. The viscosity of a regular gel resin used in UV-cured nail products will range from roughly 25,000 centipoise to 100,000 centipoise. A builder gel will have a higher viscosity than regular gel. Our Light Elegance builder gel has a viscosity of roughly 350,000 centipoise. Some builder gels have a viscosity as high as 1,000,000 centipoise.

As far as how they’re used, a good gel nail technician can use any gel to do most anything. Some say that builder gels are better for making an arch and C-curve in a nail. While this is true to a great extent, an experienced gel nail technician can make an arch and C-curve from a regular viscosity gel as well. It ultimately comes down to personal preference. -- Jim McConnell

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How can I prevent lifting when my client's hands are constantly in water?

I have a client who is in the medical field so her hands are constantly in water. She has me keep the length of her acrylic nails short. No matter what I do, she always has at least one nail that comes off, and she always has lifting and gets water under the acrylic. I prep the nails correctly, I have a cuticle bit to clean the cuticle area, and I wipe the nail with alcohol, dehydrate the nail, and prime the nail. What should I do?

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