Nail gel polish, also known simply as “gel polish,” is a type of nail polish that is cured under a UV or LED lamp to create a durable and long-lasting finish. Unlike traditional nail polish, which air-dries over time, gel polish requires a special curing process to harden and set the color.

Here’s how gel polish typically works:

1. Preparation: The nails are cleaned, trimmed, and shaped as needed. The nail surface is lightly buffed to remove any oils or residue, ensuring better adhesion of the gel polish.

2. Base Coat: A thin layer of clear gel base coat is applied to the nails to create a smooth surface and improve the adhesion of the gel polish.

3. Color Application: The desired color of gel polish is applied to the nails in thin, even coats. Each layer is cured under a UV or LED lamp for a specified amount of time, typically around 30 seconds to 1 minute per layer.

4. Additional Layers: Depending on the opacity and intensity of the color, multiple layers of gel polish may be applied and cured, with each layer building upon the previous one to achieve the desired depth of color.

5. Top Coat: A final layer of clear gel top coat is applied to seal and protect the color, adding shine and durability to the manicure.

6. Curing: After the final layer of gel polish is applied, the nails are cured under the UV or LED lamp for a final time to harden and set the polish completely.

7. Finishing Touches: Any excess gel polish around the nails is cleaned up, and the nails are wiped with alcohol or nail cleanser to remove any sticky residue left behind.