Gel Nail Enhancements and Curing
What the exam tests
Gel questions test photoinitiator chemistry, lamp compatibility, layer thickness, and service breakdown. The exam expects you to know that gel cures only when the photoinitiator receives the correct wavelength and intensity for enough time.
Core concepts
- Gel contains oligomers and photoinitiators that react under ultraviolet or visible light; it does not cure by air drying.
- Match the gel to the lamp's wavelength and follow the manufacturer's cure time.
- Apply thin, even layers; thick layers may undercure at the base and overheat during curing.
- The inhibition layer is the tacky surface left after curing; remove it only as the system directs.
- Uncured gel on skin can cause allergic sensitization; clean up immediately and avoid skin contact.
- Hard gel and soft gel differ in removal and structure; use the correct system.
Worked example
Gel polish peels from the free edge after a few days. You check the lamp, the gel brand, the layer thickness, and the sealing step. You find the color coat was applied too thick and the free edge was not capped. The correction is thinner layers, the correct lamp, and sealing the edge. The reasoning: undercured or thick product flexes and fails at the most stressed edge.
Traps
Assuming any LED lamp cures any gel. Curing for less time because the client is in a hurry. Applying gel over a wet inhibition layer without following the system. Letting uncured gel remain on skin.