Nailite Gel System Review: A Professional Nail Technician's Experience

Question
Hello!
I have been performing full service nail enhancements for 8 years, but have only worked with acrylics, wraps and resins. I recently decided to begin offering gel enhancements. I researched as much as I felt I could, until I could recite information on gels in my sleep lol. I decided to go with Nailite's stylus gel system for my chosen gel. I love their products and make most of my purchases through them. I have been doing overlays and full sets, about 3 full sets total, and 4 overlays. Everything appears to be okay around the cuticle area. However, the tips of the artificial tips, and natural tips begin to lift after a day or so causing the rest of the product to lift away. I am buffing the nail accordingly before service and endcapping. Could you possibly offer any advice that might help me stop this problem? Could it possibly be my uv bulbs? The light is brand new, but could the bulbs still be old? I'm not sure what to do, but I really like the gel and hope to be able to put it on my services list very soon as soon as I can get this issue sorted out. Thanks for all the help!
Angela

Answer
My first thought was that if you are applying over tips, they have to be buffed for the gel to stick-- gel won't stick to a shiny surface. But it seems you've got that covered. I know I have this problem on some clients when I'm doing overlays, some clients just won't leave their nails alone. After I cap those free edges, the client goes home and picks at that little edge that's under their nail. I actually find it better to cap the free edge when I'm applying the gel and then file the free edge a tad after I remove the dispersion layer. I know a lot of gel companies tell you not to do that, but it works fine for me and I've heard many other gel specialists report the same. It will keep the client from picking at the free edge. Also, get your clients in the habit of using cuticle oil (if they don't already) as the oil can help with the natural nail expanding and contracting so much that it pulls away from the product.

By all means, try changing the light bulbs too. It won't hurt. But I have to agree that natural nails and gel can present some frustration at the free edges. Usually I find the culprit to be a client who is less suited to gels than they'd like to admit.