Shrinking of UV nail Gel?

Question

I recently started using a UV nail kit I got for christmas - applying my own acrylic nails at home. My problem is it doesn't matter HOW much I put on the gel always seems to shrink from the edges of my nails and appear as if it's halfway applied. It either shrinks from the edges (sides) of the nails, or it shrinks from the tops of the nails. I have tried multiple applications, using side to side applications over the tips of the nails, everything - the gel is still shrinking when it hardens and bunching up and bulking up in the middle of the nails. Is there a way to beat this??? Is there a technique to stop it? Would I be better using acrylic powder?

Additional Details

I'm not sure where to find the "research my answer" I'm being pointed to? I'm new to Yahoo Answers. :(

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

UV gels ordinarily are prone to some shrinkage during the curing process. Generally, how much they shrink depends on the thickness of the UV gel which has been applied. A thick layer will shrink more than a thin layer. A thick layer will also result in intense heat 'spikes.' And if you haven't had one of those yet, watch out because they can be rather painful. If this happens just remove your hand from under the lamp. You could also place your hand right in front of the lamp for about 10-20 seconds, but not directly inside of it. Then cure the remaining time with your hand all the way under the UV lamp. This will help if you get a heat spike. A similar method is also used to help 'freeze' the gels so that they won't run on your nail. The video below discusses this method briefly.
The first thing I would suggest is to make sure that you are applying, and curing the gels properly. It would take me hours to type in all the steps, so let me post a few links to a video, and some tutorials which may be of help to you. After all, they say that a picture is worth a thousand words - or something like that , LOL! The video assumes that the viewer has basic knowledge of the gel application process. So, some of the terminology may seem a bit foreign to you. Pay close attention to the way that he is applying the gels. Note the way he uses his brush. Proper application of gels is all in the technique.
Click on the link I provided, then click on "Perfect French Gel Overlay" once on the Young Nails page:
http://www.youngnails.com/g?t=video
Here is a nail tutorial. There are some gel nail instructions on this page, just look around. These really aren't the greatest tutorials, but they might help a bit?
http://groups.msn.com/BeautyPro/shoebox.…
Some basic gel information:
http://www.salongeek.com/misc-tutorials/…
A good tutorial on UV gel application:
http://www.hooked-on-nails.com/uvgel.htm…
There, that should be enough information to absorb for a while!
I hope this helps!

Source(s):

I'm a licensed nail tech. I do both acrylic and UV gel nails.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

This is alot more information than the "instructional dvd" that came with the pack offered. I'm so grateful!

Answer 2

1. Go to: "Research your answer" on your question page. 2. Type in: How to stop gel from shrinking from applied acrylic nails/Details? 2. Go to: #1. 3. Go to: The left side of the screen and look under "Acrylic Nails."

Answer 3

try and put a very thin layer on that may help