Soft gel nails work through a process of application and curing, resulting in a flexible and relatively durable nail enhancement. Here's a breakdown:
Soft gel, unlike hard gel, is a soak-off gel, meaning it can be easily removed using 100% pure acetone. This characteristic is key to understanding how it works and differs from other nail enhancement systems.
Soft Gel Application and Curing
The process involves the following steps:
- Preparation: The natural nail is prepped by gently buffing the surface and cleaning it to remove oils and debris. This ensures proper adhesion of the soft gel.
- Base Coat Application: A thin layer of soft gel base coat is applied.
- Curing the Base Coat: The base coat is then cured under an LED lamp or UV light. Curing refers to the process where the gel hardens and solidifies under the specific wavelength of light emitted by the lamp.
- Color Coat Application (Optional): If desired, one or more layers of soft gel color are applied, with each layer being cured under the lamp.
- Top Coat Application: A soft gel top coat is applied to seal the color and provide a glossy or matte finish.
- Curing the Top Coat: The top coat is cured under the lamp.
- Final Touches: The nail technician will then clean the nails to remove any sticky residue left from the curing process, revealing the finished soft gel manicure.
Key Characteristics and Limitations
- Flexibility: Soft gel remains flexible after curing, making it less prone to cracking compared to hard gels or acrylics.
- Soak-Off Removal: The ability to be removed with acetone makes the removal process less damaging to the natural nail compared to filing down hard gels or acrylics.
- Minimal Strength: While it adds some strength to natural nails, soft gel is not strong enough to support a nail extension. It's best suited for short to mid-length natural nails.
- Application Method: Soft gel is applied with a nail brush, allowing for precise and even application.
In summary, soft gel nails work by applying layers of gel, each cured under a special lamp, to create a flexible and soak-off manicure that provides some strength but is not suitable for extensions.
