Artificial Nail Enhancements
Preparation decides the outcome
Enhancements fail at the prep stage. Remove cuticle tissue from the plate, lightly refine the surface without thinning it, dehydrate, apply a pH balancer, and use primer as the system requires. Keep every product off the skin, sidewalls, and cuticle line. Product touching skin creates a lifting ledge and is the leading cause of allergic reaction.
Acrylics
Liquid monomer plus polymer powder forms the bead. A correct ratio gives workable control; too wet and the product shrinks, lifts, and overexposes skin; too dry and it becomes brittle and cloudy. Build in three zones: a thin zone near the cuticle, the apex at the stress area, and a controlled free edge. Never substitute dental or industrial MMA monomer, which is not intended for cosmetic use.
Gels, wraps, and tips
Apply gel in thin layers and cure fully under the correct lamp; undercured gel causes service breakdown and sensitivity. Wraps use fabric with resin or adhesive, and tips are sized, glued, and blended before overlay. Whichever system you use, the finished enhancement should have a smooth surface, balanced apex, and no visible ledge.
Maintenance and removal
Book fills every two to three weeks. Remove product by soaking in the appropriate solvent or following the manufacturer's removal method, then gently push off softened product. Never pry, bite, or force product off the plate; that removes layers of natural nail.
Traps
Questions often mix systems, such as curing acrylic under a lamp or soaking gel in monomer. Check the stress-area apex and the skin-contact rule in every scenario item.