QuestionI am a new nail tech. I pul gel on my left hand and liquid and powder on the right. After 5 days, the gel still looked good. The liquid and powder looked bad around the nail folds and cuticle. They weren't lifting, just the appearance was not good.
I pepared to soak them off. Being told the gel would not soak off I thought I would try anyway. Well, after about 20 min., the gel came off easily. The acrylic was still going in stages of sloughing off. The nails with gel were nice and smooth and needed little filing. The liquid and powder needed additional work and filing to remove all of the product.
My question, how durable is the new soak off gel applications compared to the traditional? I found the gel to be extremely strong and the acrylic was beginning to chip on the tip extensions.
What are more viable reasons to switch a client from liquid and powder to gel?
Thanks, Suzanne
AnswerSuzanne, it sounds to me like you haven't quite got a handle on your liquid and powder (aka ACRYLIC) application just yet. There is a certain liquid to powder ratio that needs to be followed to get the best results and appearance. If it's done right, there IS NO difference between liquid and powder and gel.
The only reasons I would switch a client from one product to the other would have to do with their own body chemistry- some people do better with one over the other, some like how light gel feels, some techs like gel better for its ease of use and clarity. It's all a matter of personal preference.
As for your gel soaking off, you must have been using a soak off UV Gel. In general, UV Gel is NON porous, which is another reason for some to use it- people with their hands in water or solvents repeatedly, such as hairdressers, nurses, bartenders. Soak off gels, being that they are porous, don't have the same benefits for the people in these industries.
Liquid and powder IS porous, and can be soaked off, but should NOT be soaked off in Pure Acetone bought at the store, there is a specific product remover that will effectively remove the product, the problems you had tell me that the product was applied too thickly for one, and not in the remover consistently for a long enough time. You shouldn't have to file it away and possibly damage the nail plate, your fingers should be immersed in the liquid for a consistent 20-30 minutes, it helps if the remover is slightly warm. After 20-30 minutes, pull your fingers out and wipe them gently with an old towel, then if there is still product, place the fingertips back in the bowl for another 15-20 minutes. If it takes longer than that, you are applying the product WAY too thickly.
I strongly urge you to go to this website and become a member: www.thesalongeek.com
Go read the tutorials, ask questions, see pictures, there is a TON of information there to help you as a businesswoman AND a tech.
It can also help you decide which pro products might be right for you, and which are not so hot in the longrun.
Also check with your local professional beauty supply distributor to see about attending trade shows and classes in a variety of products and techniques.
Good Luck!
:) Heather
