Liftings? What’s Really Behind Them – and How to Avoid Them

Almost every nail technician has faced this problem at least once – liftings.
Separations between the product and the natural nail are not only annoying, but they significantly impact your work, require more time during refills, thin the natural nail, and damage your reputation.

What exactly is a lifting?

To understand what a lifting is, you first need to understand what the adhesion layer is.
The adhesion layer consists of layers of the natural nail combined with the bonding (adhesive) gel.
A lifting is the detachment of the enhancement from the natural nail – whether at the free edge, the sides, along the cuticle, or in the middle of the nail.
The product no longer adheres tightly to the nail plate, and a small or large air pocket appears.
This area can also become the entry point for moisture and bacteria like Pseudomonas.
When the adhesion layer – thus the product – lifts from the nail, it never happens without a reason and never without consequences.

The Most Common Causes

1. Wrong / Poor Preparation 
   The natural nail must be thoroughly dehydrated, and the shiny layer must be properly removed – without over-filing the surface. Any remaining skin, moisture, oil, or a surface that’s too smooth prevents proper bonding between the nail and the material.
2. Incorrect Product Choice
   Not every gel suits every nail type. Flexible or moist nails need a product that adapts and fits to the natural nail features. Base that is applied too thick or too thin can also lead to problems.
3. Technical Errors

• Applied too close to the cuticle? ➝ Risk of Lifting.
• Worked too thin? ➝ Instability.
• Apex placed incorrectly. ➝ Pressure is misdirected and stresses the natural nail.
• Old/weak lamp? ➝ If the product doesn’t cure properly, it can’t adhere.

4. Mechanical Stress
   Some clients work a lot with their hands – housework, gardening, or manual jobs. Others unconsciously pick or bite their nails. These mechanical stimuli cause microcracks that break the bond. Also, wearing the nails for too long can cause liftings because the leverage affects the adhesion.
5. Health & Aftercare 
   Hormonal changes, medications, or illnesses can affect nail structure. Liftings are not random – they’re a signal! They tell us that something in the system – technique, product, or care – isn’t quite right. Those who understand them, instead of just fixing them, work more professionally and achieve higher customer satisfaction.

What Types of Liftings Exist?

1. Liftings Due to Incomplete Curing

Around 70% of liftings happen because the gel wasn’t fully cured. Often this is due to:

• An old or weak UV/LED lamp
• Incorrect finger positioning – especially with thumbs or crooked fingers

Tip: Replace your lamp regularly, cure thumbs separately, and ensure correct hand positioning.

2. Liftings on the Working Hand

If only a few nails (often index or middle fingers) have issues, it’s often due to:

• Greater daily stress (work, housework, hobbies)

Tip: Reinforce those nails specifically – even if all others work well with gel polish, for the nails that lift you may need some extra product for the extra support.

3. Old Liftings Not Detected

A common beginner mistake – but even pros can overlook this when stressed:
Old liftings are missed and overlaid. They continue to lift underneath the new material.
Tip: Examine carefully, remove all old, lifted material thoroughly, and never work over loose areas.

4. Incorrect Preparation

• Cuticle not properly removed?
• Nail plate not dehydrated?
• Oil or cream residue?

Then nothing will hold – and liftings will occur.
Tip: Clean, thorough prep is essential!
If you see that the product (base) pulls back, let your customer wash their hands with warm water and soap. There may be some cream or oil residues.
Also, when using cuticle remover, make sure to remove it properly, as it creates a thin layer on the nail that prevents gel from adhering.

5. Liftings in the Middle of the Nail

Possible causes:

• Impact, strain, or sweating
• Worked too thin or apex placed incorrectly
• Over-filed, weakened nails

Tip: Check the structure and compensate for stress with the correct shape and thickness of the enhancement.
Pay attention to the product you choose, because builder in a bottle does not provide the same durability as hard gel.

6. Liftings at the Cuticle Area

Often caused by:

• Product touching the skin
• Unremoved cuticle
• Residues from cuticle remover, cream, or other substances

Tip: Precision is everything here – better to check one more time!

7. Liftings at the Free Edge

• Over-filed, thin nails
• No reinforcement at the stress zone
• Natural nail rolls inward and wasn’t properly supported from underneath

Tip: Soak-off gel is usually too soft for this. A short extension or a stronger hard gel reinforcement helps to prevent liftings at the free edge.

Download all the important information about liftings here.