• Daily use of cuticle oil can keep the natural nail hydrated and flexible, so it is less likely to pull away from the product on the nail.
  
  
• The gel may be too thin for the customer’s lifestyle.  If you are using a Classic Builder, it needs to be approximately credit card thickness at the free edge.  Classic Builders are less flexible (as compared to NailGuard) and can break if applied too thin.
  
  
• There might have been issues during prep, such as the client touching their hair, face or personal belongings, transferring oil to the prepped nail plate. 
  
  
• Chipping can also occur if there was previous product separation missed, on the free edge, or in the corner.
  
  
• Under curing gel causes poor bonding to the nail plate.
  
  
• If the nail is square shaped, it is more prone to physical stress if the client is hard on their nails.  A round or oval shape might solve the issue.
  
  
• It is important to maintain an even thickness from sidewall to sidewall, on the free edge of the nails.
  
  
• The client may be using their nails to peel off stickers or scrape surfaces while cleaning, which can also cause product separation from the natural nail.

If chipping occurs on the sides of the nails:

• Under curing leads to poor bonding.

   

• product coming into contact with skin around the nail will lead to lifting, which can cause chipping.
• The Silicone Thin Base may not have been scrubbed into the sides of the nail plate before product application.

   

• Thicker gel application along the sidewalls may be the issue.

The most common causes for product peeling are:

• The gel is not fully cured.
  
  
• The gel is applied too thick, leading to under cured product.  One-Coat coverage colors must be applied very thin to cure properly.
  
  
• The hand position in the lamp did not allow proper exposure to the light.

Here are the most common reasons for lifting issues:

• The lifting of builder gels can be caused by issues during nail prep, such as cuticle tissue, oil or previously lifted product, remaining on the nail plate.

   

• Product coming into contact with any skin around the nail plate.
  
  
• Under cured product, which results in low bonding between keratin and gel.

   

• Not rubbing the Silicone Thin Base into the prepped nail surface. this can leave small air pockets between the nail grooves and the product.

   

• Over-filed nail plates make it difficult for the product to adhere to the nail plate.  Prep very gently.

   

• Use of primer/bonder/base gel that is not from Magic Gel System

Common causes for breakage:

• Under cured product.  Gel can feel very flexible and rubbery if under cured.
  
  
• the stress zone is not properly sculpted in terms of thickness or placement.
  
  
• Nails are too long for the client’s lifestyle.
  
  
• Sidewalls are not reinforced and are too thin.
  
  
• The product was not chosen based on the client’s desired length and lifestyle.
  
  
• Repeated physical impact on the nail or nails.

If the cured product feels too flexible, here are the most common reasons:

• Under cured product
  
  
• The product used was not chosen based on the client’s nail length and lifestyle.

If the nails look dull, here are the most common reasons:

• Under cured
  
  
• Lifestyle factors, such as client who uses nails when cleaning with abrasive products.

Under curing in UV/LED gel formulas can result from several factors.

• Firstly, if the lamp emittance is not intense enough, the gel will not cure properly.  Please keep in mind that lamps can vary in quality and intensity and can last anywhere from 3 to 18 months.  The intensity of many lamps, even some professionally branded lamps, can drop significantly after 6-12 months.  
  Watch for signs of under cured product and replace lamps accordingly.

   

• Secondly, ensure your client keeps their hands in the lamp for the entire duration of the curing cycle.  If flash curing is used, be sure to do a full cycle cure of the layer before moving on to next layer.

   

• Thirdly, the clients nails must be precisely placed under the diodes for full exposure to the light.  Be sure the client keeps fingers straight (not tilted down in a relaxed state), so the free edges cure properly.

   

• Fourthly,  if a client with long nails places their hand too far into the lamp, the free edge might not be exposed to enough light to cure properly.

   

• Lastly, thumbs often need special attention for proper curing.  Recommend client lift the thumb slightly off the bottom plate, to be sure the lower side of the thumb nail is exposed to the light.

Here are common indicators of under cured product:

• side cracks
• product breakdown in stress zone (pocket lifting or cracking)
• lifting of product
• separation of product on the free edge
• peeling or chipping gel
• product that is too flexible or “rubbery” feeling.
• Tackless Hyper Shine does not stay shiny for at least 3 weeks.