Why Are My Gel Nails Chipping? Causes & Solutions

Question
I have had gel overlays over my natural nails for a few months. I was having one gentleman do them with no problems at all. Now a new guy is there and for the past two visits the nails are "chipping" at the end. Not the entire gel overlay, just some of the top layers. It looks horrible. The past two times I got french polish done and they used airbrush. What is causing this and what should I do to stop it?

Answer
Dear Lisa,

First of all, UV Gel will never chip.  And, with other systems such as acrylic, if the product is applied too thin at the end, then it will chip.  It would need to be applied thicker.

I'm inclined to think that you're not getting UV Gel at all, but 'acrylic', since when UV Gel is refilled, you don't see evidence of "layers" as you would with CHEAP acrylic (quality acrylic applied properly will not show 'layers').
IF your technician is using any powder, then they are ACRYLIC and NOT uv gel at all.
UV Gel is exactly as it sounds, a 'gel' , similar in viscosity to that of a hair gel.  It is also COMPLETELY ODOURLESS.
Acrylic is liquid and powder.  HAS A VERY STRONG ODOUR..  Very different.

Please see these pages to learn more about the differences and the scams pulled off by many salons.
Also, please learn about MMA, a toxic acrylic that is illegal.
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id16.html
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html

IF you are indeed having acrylic and possibly MMA, please report it to the appropriate authorities in your area.

I hope this is helpful.  Please feel free to contact me for further info.

best regards
victoria