Curing Plus Mani Do's & Don't with Gels

The Do’s & Don’t with Gels:

Do make sure your gels are fully cured by using a nail lamp of at least the recommended 100 watts & 365-405 nanometer (nm). Cure for 60 seconds unless the listing specifies otherwise.
Don't use a Nail lamp that is greater than 1-2 year old or not in good working condition.
Don't use the 120 second button to cure your nails. It is generally at a lower wattage for avoiding heat spikes.
Don't apply gels with breaks (cuts, nicks or abrasions) on your cuticles. Your skin protects you. If you break the skin during removal or preparation, or something else, wait 12 to 48 hours to let the skin seal up before applying gel.
Don't get uncured gel on your skin. Even removing gel from your skin with acetone does not get 100% of the gel off you skin. Once it is on your skin, it is on your skin. It is best not go get gel on your skin to begin with. However, if you do get gel on your skin, your only choice is to use acetone, or similar, to remove as much of the gel from skin as you can and wash your hands thoroughly. Acetone, or similar, dissolve gel and exposes you to the uncured gel ingredients. It is best to do everything possible not to get the gel on your cuticles or skin at any time. Use gels that level well, practice, practice, practice good application methods, and do not use gels that easily run into your cuticles. Use gels that are thicker and level well. Use thin layers to help avoid getting gel on your cuticles. Thin layers also cure better!
Don't remove the dispersion layer with alcohol or any other liquid that dissolves the gel. This exposes you to uncured gel ingredients. Instead apply a thin layer of top coat to lock down the dispersion layer. You can then proceed with filing and shaping or which ever next step you were wanting to do. You can generally apply a 2nd top coat after filing without another base coat layer, but you can use another thin base coat layer if you feel it is necessary. After your final top coat, thoroughly wash your hands to removed residual gel ingredients. It is safer to wait 24 hours and washing hands well to apply cuticle oils or lotions.
Don't use cuticle oils or lotions following or after gel application. The gel industry has recently published information that applying cuticle oils or lotions on your cuticles immediately after curing your gels on your nails can trap any potential residual allergen ingredient and amplify its penetration into your skin. For this reason, Bling highly recommends not applying cuticle oils or creams immediately after applying gels.
Don't use the same application tools which might be contaminated with other brand gels (especially if they contain HEMA, HPMA or other allergic ingredients. Purchase new application tools so that you do not cross contaminate yourself and cause a reaction to the former ingredients.
Don't use unsafe or inexperienced application methods. Practice on a practice hand or swatches to perfect application.
Don't use improper use, poor application, failed application methods. Practice, practice practice!
Don't use more than one brand at the same time as using Bling Products. Gels work better together as a system.
Don't use (avoid if you can) removal liquids which require soaking fingers in the removal liquid. This includes liquids such as acetone. As the gel dissolves in the liquid, with your fingers soaking in the liquid, you will expose your self to the dissolved gel ingredients, as well as acetone. An alternative is to use an efile to remove the gel in a more controlled method. Wash your hands thoroughly following removal. And use a vent fan so you do not breath the particles. There is not perfect removal alternative. It is a more of a matter of minimizing exposure.

Gels require a UV/LED light to cure, a gel base coat for maximum adhesion (rubber base gels do not need a gel base) and a gel top coat for a shiny and protective finishing layer. Using our PH Bond and Acid Free Primer are optional, but the use of them can promote a stronger adhesion to your natural nails.

Cure Gels Thoroughly:

It is very important that you thoroughly cure your gels. One of the fastest ways to get gel allergies is to not fully cure your gels. Especially if you have them on or touching your skin. While Bling’s gels are very clean and eliminate the worst of the allergen ingredients, people can become allergic to any gel ingredients if not properly applied to your nail, aka not thoroughly cured. Additionally, in order to have the gel adhere well to your nail, it needs to fully cured. Bling's Rubber gels should be firm and only slightly pliable. If they're gooey or bendable or peeling or anything short of firm, attached and only slightly bendy they're not curing well. 48-watt lamps do not appear to be sufficient these days. I know historically 48-watt lamps were the industry standard for basic gels. But because the output through the lights is different than wattage into the lamp, with 48 watts worth of electricity going in, the energy coming out of the lamp may not really be 48 watts, it could be less. There's no industry standard controlling how these lamps are made or how well they work. It is very important to have a strong lamp. Therefore, Bling recommends 100+ Watts & 365-405 nanometers (nm) for advanced gels. 100+ Watts should be sufficient to cure any gels. Lamps are very inexpensive these days. You don't have to buy the most expensive lamp out there.

If you do experience an allergic or sensitivity reaction, removed all gel products and contact your physician.