Saturday, September 27, 2008

5 Things you should know about gels

Product Info - courtesy of Gina Silvestro

1. Never use near direct or indirect sunlight. If you work near a window be sure to have a UV film applied to the windows. Even an optically clear film can reduce UV Rays by 99% without interrupting your view. Never work with gels outdoors, and be sure to store all gels and brushes in a solid colored container when traveling outdoors. Any exposure to UV rays will begin the curing process and possibly ruin brushes, products, tools etc.

2. Use the "line of light" to see if your application is smooth (the light reflection will be a straight line) or if you have dips (the light reflection will waiver). This will help to get your application perfect and possibly eliminate finish filing. Use a good light source over your work area to insure good visualization of the application process. Never use Halogen lights, they emit UV rays and may start the curing process. Low heat/low energy Daylight lamps work best for natural light that ismore relaxing to the eyes because it simulates the light outdoors.

3. To avoid contamination, always put the lids on the containers when finished with the products. Use only lint-free wipes and towels. When working with gels, lint is the enemy! If you notice a piece of lint, remove it. If you leave it in the gel you will see it because of the clarity of the product.

4. If gel gets on the cuticle during product application be sure to wipe off before curing under the UV light. I usually take a quick glance at all of the 5 nails before instructing the client to go into the light. This way you can check for gel that has pooled or run into the cuticle, which will cause lifting.

5. When applying layers of gel, always apply over a surface that is completely roughed up (etched) or on the inhibition layer (sticky residue). As a rule of thumb, shine doesn't stick to shine. Once you've removed the inhibition layer, you must be sure to remove the shine from the entire nail if you need to add more gel.

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