As much as we want a good nail day, there will be occasions when things do not go as planned. We find ourselves questioning what went wrong and what product didn't work. Bestie, you’ll be surprised to hear that sometimes it’s not about any of those factors. Little do we know that hand placement plays a huge role in achieving quality nails. Yup, you heard that right! Correct hand position, as simple as it sounds, should be considered during nail sessions as this could make or break the curing process. Continue reading to learn about proper hand placement and understand how significant this small detail is! Why is correct hand position important? Imagine going through a tanning bed session without following the instructions for achieving an even tan. That sounds like a major stress and a nightmare! Similarly, our gel nails undergo curing when we use our nail lamps. Incorrect hand placement could lead to uneven curing and other common issues like nail not curing, nail peeling, and nail wrinkling. Moreover, varying curing times and the strength of your UV/LED lamp are factors to consider alongside the hand placement if we want to achieve gorgeous nails. 6 Easy Steps For Proper Nail Lamp Hand Placement 1. Ensure that there are no buildups inside the lamp Gel buildups can contaminate or ruin our nails, and that’s the last thing we want to happen after exerting great effort in perfecting our nail art. We recommend checking and cleaning the inside of the nail lamp, especially the bottom part where you’ll be placing your hand. Read our guide on cleaning UV/LED nail lamps to learn about the tools you need for proper sanitation. 2. Take note of the nail enhancements and accessories Pay attention to the length of your nails and the accessories used for the nail art. This will help you gauge how far back you should be sliding in your nails and which fingertips you should be more careful of. We should remember that one simple mistake could destroy the design, requiring nail touch-ups that may take a lot of time. 3. Gently slide in while keeping your hand straight Keep your hand straight as you slide it in gently and carefully. Avoid unnecessary movements, such as turning your hand and moving it up and down, because these can disrupt the curing process and cause your nails to peel or lift. Rather, concentrate on putting your hand in deep enough so that the lights accurately hit all of your fingertips, especially your thumb. 4. Follow the markers on the steel tray for your fingertips Most nail lamps feature indications/markers at the bottom that should be observed when used. Begin by placing your thumb on the oval-shaped mark, then follow the flow for the rest of the fingers. If no guides/markers are present, remember that your fingers should be evenly spaced (not twisted or too spread out). As seen in this tutorial, you may also lift your hand slightly to ensure proper curing. 5. Rest your wrist and center your hand All of us should feel comfortable throughout the curing process. The nail lamp should be placed directly in front of you (not to the side), so you may rest your wrist on the table properly. As you follow the guide or marker, position it in the center to avoid uneven curing. If your thumb doesn't fit inside the lamp, you may cure it separately. 6. Hold the proper position during curing Finally, remember all the instructions and hold the proper hand position as your gel nails cure. The cure time may differ based on the type of bulb: for LED lamps, we recommend 30 seconds, while for UV lamps, up to 2 minutes. Note that one of the mistakes we should avoid with gel polish is under-curing. Whether it’s your first time hearing about proper hand placement or not, it is an essential step to practice and pass on to your clients. Have you tried it and noticed any difference? Share your experience, and we’d love to see you on our iGel Beauty Facebook Community! As Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”, and it’s the art of being detail-oriented. Let that sink in and motivate you as a nail enthusiast! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the current trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
