Lifestyle – Hand washing, daily activities, typing, etc. can cause wear that shortens polygel’s lifespan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTaking steps to prep, apply, and care for polygel correctly allows it to last its maximum duration over acrylics or dip powder. With proper maintenance, polygel can last over 3 weeks on most clients before needing filled.<\/p>\n
Its versatility and durability over various nail enhancement types makes it a great option for lasting beauty and protection.<\/p>\n
Removing Polygel from Fake Nails<\/h2>\n
Removing polygel that has been applied over fake nails can be tricky. Polygel forms a durable bond with the natural nail, so getting it off fake nails without damaging them takes some care and patience. Here are some tips for safely removing polygel from fake nails:<\/p>\n
Soak Off the Polygel<\/h3>\n
Just like with regular nail polish, the best way to remove polygel from fake nails is to soak it off. You’ll need pure acetone, available at beauty supply stores. Pour enough acetone into a small bowl to submerge your nails.<\/p>\n
Soak for 15-20 minutes until the polygel begins to bubble and lift from the fake nails. The acetone breaks down the bonds in the polygel, allowing you to gently pry it off.<\/p>\n
Avoid Pulling or Picking<\/h3>\n
It can be tempting to just pick and pull off peeling parts of the polygel. But this can cause the fake nails underneath to warp and become damaged. The key is patience. Let the acetone do the work of dissolving the polygel so it comes off smoothly without pulling.<\/p>\n
Use Foil Wraps<\/h3>\n
For a faster soak off, you can wrap each nail in aluminum foil after applying acetone. This helps contain the acetone against the nail, speeding up the breakdown of the polygel. Just be sure not to let the acetone touch your skin, as it can cause dryness and irritation.<\/p>\n
File off Remaining Traces<\/h3>\n
After soaking and removing the bulk of the polygel, there may still be some leftover residue on the fake nails. Use a coarse nail file to gently buff off these traces. Work in one direction across the nail, being careful not to file so aggressively that you damage the fake nail surface underneath.<\/p>\n
Avoid Acetone on Nail Glue<\/h3>\n
When soaking off polygel, avoid getting acetone on the area where the fake nail is adhered to your natural nail. Acetone can degrade the nail glue and cause the fake nail to loosen or fall off. Use a cuticle pusher to carefully lift the polygel away from the base of the nail.<\/p>\n
Moisturize After Removing<\/h3>\n
Once all traces of polygel have been removed, your nails and skin will need some TLC. The acetone in nail polish remover can be very drying. Apply a thick hand cream and let it soak in. You can also massage coconut or olive oil into your cuticles and nails to replenish moisture and prevent brittleness.<\/p>\n
Removing polygel from fake nails takes time and care. But with the proper products and techniques, you can get your nails back to their original, beautiful shape without damage. Soak, don’t pull, and protect your skin and nails from dryness for the safest removal process.<\/p>\n
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Polygel Over Fake Nails<\/h2>\n
Applying polygel over fake nails can be tricky. Here are some common mistakes to avoid for the best results:<\/p>\n
Not Prepping Properly<\/h3>\n
One of the biggest mistakes is not properly prepping the natural nail and fake nail surface before applying polygel. The surface needs to be buffed and dehydrated so the polygel can adhere properly. Make sure to rough up the shiny surface of the fake nails with a file, then use nail prep dehydrator before applying polygel.<\/p>\n
Using Too Much Polygel<\/h3>\n
It can be tempting to apply a thick layer of polygel to reinforce the fake nails, but using too much product can cause cracking or popping off. Apply thin layers and let each layer fully cure under an LED or UV lamp before adding more. Build up the strength gradually.<\/p>\n
Not Shaping Properly<\/h3>\n
Shaping the polygel extension smoothly onto the fake nail bed takes practice. Make sure not to apply too much polygel down the sides, as this will create a bulky seam that catches on things. File and shape the polygel so it has a natural tapered look.<\/p>\n
Skipping the Top Coat<\/h3>\n
A quality no-wipe gel top coat is essential for getting a smooth, glossy finish and preventing the polygel from staining or lifting. Apply top coat after filing and shaping the extensions, and cure it fully under the lamp. The top coat seals and protects the polygel.<\/p>\n
Not Allowing Proper Curing<\/h3>\n
One of the biggest mistakes is not curing each layer of polygel fully under an LED or UV lamp. This can cause the layers to remain tacky and not adhere properly. Follow the product directions for cure times, holding the nails under the lamp for 30-60 seconds each layer.<\/p>\n
Insufficient curing leads to peeling and damage.<\/p>\n
With some care and practice, polygel can be applied successfully over fake nails for a durable, long-lasting enhancement. Avoid these common mistakes for beautiful, natural-looking results that last.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
As you can see, you can successfully apply polygel at home over your existing acrylic, dip powder, or other fake nail enhancement. Just be sure to properly prep the nail surface first and use the right application techniques to help the polygel adhere and last.<\/p>\n
Avoid common mistakes like applying too thick and not curing thoroughly. With some practice, you’ll be able to easily maintain your manicure between salon visits by adding polygel yourself over your trusty fake nails.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you love getting your nails done but don’t always have the time or money for professional manicures, you may be wondering if you can apply polygel over your fake nails yourself at home between salon appointments. The good news is, yes you can! If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2061,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/can-you-put-polygel-over-fake-nails.webp",721,461,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/can-you-put-polygel-over-fake-nails.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}