Many nail enthusiasts, especially those using stamping nail polish, have likely encountered the issue of nail polish peeling or lifting after a fresh manicure. After all the hard work put into achieving a beautiful set of nails, seeing the edges peel can be quite frustrating. In this article, Born Pretty breaks down the common causes of nail polish lifting and how to address them.

1. Peeling from the Nail Tips

Common causes:

• (1) Incomplete Sealing of the Edges: If the tips of the nails aren't sealed properly, activities like opening cans or peeling oranges can easily cause stamping nail polish or gel to chip.
• (2) Thin or Soft Nails: When nails are exposed to water, they soften, while the gel polish or stamping nail polish remains hard. The lack of flexibility can cause the polish to crack in the middle when the nails bend.
• (3) Overly Thick Application: Applying stamping nail polish or gel too thickly may prevent it from drying properly, reducing its adhesion to the nail surface.
• (4) Mismatched Gels: If soft gels are paired with hard gels, the tips can easily peel off. (Hard gels are less flexible, while soft gels offer more flexibility.)

2. Peeling from the Nail Base

Common causes:

• (1) Improper Cleaning: Dust or oil on the nail surface can cause stamping nail polish or gel to detach.
• (2) Incomplete Buffing: If the surface around the nails isn’t properly buffed, the gel or stamping nail polish may not adhere well.
• (3) Gel on Cuticles or Skin: If the gel touches the skin or cuticles, it will separate from the skin, causing lifting.

Causes of Product-Specific Peeling

1. Base Coat Peeling

Common causes:

• (1) Inadequate Buffing: Areas that are not properly buffed won’t allow the stamping nail polish or gel to fully bond with the nail.
• (2) Poor Cleaning: Residual oil, moisture, or impurities on the nail surface prevent the base coat from adhering to the nail, leading to shrinkage and peeling.
• (3) Lack of Sealing or Over-Application: Not sealing the nail edges or applying too much product can cause stamping nail polish or gel to lift.
• (4) Insufficient Curing Time: Standard curing time is 60 seconds for LED lamps and 120 seconds for UV lamps, but this may vary by product.

2. Gel Polish Peeling (Entire Layer)

Common causes:

• (1) Contaminated Base Coat: Dust or impurities on the base coat can cause the stamping nail polish or gel polish to lift.
• (2) Undercured Base Coat: If the base coat isn’t fully cured, it won’t adhere well to the stamping nail polish or gel polish.
• (3) Mismatched Brands: Using base coats and stamping nail polish or gel polishes from different brands can cause incompatibility, leading to peeling.
• (4) Lack of Sealing or Over-Application: The same issue as with base coats—sealing the nail edges is crucial.

3. Top Coat Peeling

Common causes:

• (1) Overly Thick Application: If the top coat is applied too thickly, it may not cure completely, causing uneven coverage over the stamping nail polish.
• (2) Overcured Gel Polish: Over-curing the gel polish can reduce the tacky layer on the surface, weakening the bond with the top coat.
• (3) Mismatched Brands: Incompatibility between the stamping nail polish, gel polish, and top coat can cause peeling.
• (4) Lack of Sealing or Over-Application: This is a recurring issue with all layers.

Beyond Technique: Proper Nail Care Matters

In addition to technical reasons, the longevity of your manicure—whether using regular gel or stamping nail polish—is closely related to how well you care for it. Stamping nail polish and gel polish are inherently fragile. Bumps, knocks, and frequent exposure to chemicals (such as dishwashing detergent) can react with the gel and cause it to peel. So, if your manicure starts to chip or peel, don’t rush to blame your nail technician—it may just be time to adjust your nail care routine!

With proper techniques and care, you can ensure your manicure stays beautiful for longer.