Nail Wraps, Overlays, and Gel/Polish Applications
Fabric wraps
Silk, linen, and fiberglass wraps reinforce a natural nail or repair a break. Cut the fabric to fit, apply resin or wrap adhesive, press out wrinkles, then activate and gently file the surface. Keep wrap edges slightly inside the sidewalls and away from the cuticle; edges that touch skin lift and trap moisture. Remove wraps by soaking in acetone, not by peeling.
Overlays and gels
An overlay adds a thin layer of acrylic or gel over the natural nail for strength. Gel systems cure under UV or LED light; curing time is set by the manufacturer and the lamp's intensity. Hard gels build structure, soft gels and gel polishes are more flexible, and gel polish requires a base, color, and top coat, each cured. Keep bulbs clean and replace them on schedule - a weak lamp leaves uncured, tacky product that later peels and sensitizes skin.
Removal
Gel polish and soft gel come off after filing the top coat and soaking in acetone for roughly 10–15 minutes; then push gently. Scraping, prying, or peeling takes layers of the natural plate with it.
Traps and a rule of thumb
Questions test curing times, the difference between hard and soft gel, and the danger of uncured product on skin. Uncured gel in contact with skin is a leading cause of acrylate allergy.
Rule of thumb: product on skin is a defect - clean the edges before curing, and always soak rather than scrape.