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The first 24 hours matter most
Gel cures hard under the lamp, but it keeps stabilising for about a day afterwards. Treat that first 24 hours gently: skip very hot baths, long dishwashing sessions and the sauna. Heat and prolonged soaking are the two fastest ways to soften a fresh set and invite lifting at the edges. Give the bond a day to settle and it will reward you for the next three weeks.
Cuticle oil is non-negotiable
This is the single highest-impact habit, and the one most people skip. A drop of cuticle oil massaged in once or twice a day keeps the skin and the natural nail flexible. Counter-intuitively, flexible nails hold gel better: a brittle, dry nail flexes and cracks at the edge, which is where chips and lifting begin. Oil does not loosen properly applied gel — it protects the foundation it sits on.
Use your nails as jewels, not tools
Most “my gel only lasted a week” stories trace back to using nails as tools — peeling stickers, prising lids, scratching labels. Open things with a tool, type with the pads of your fingers, and wear gloves for cleaning and gardening. Detergents and solvents dry the nail and dull the gloss faster than anything else.
And please — never peel a lifted edge. Peeling tears off the top layers of your natural nail with the gel, leaving it thin and weak for months. If something lifts, tape it down and come in for a quick fix; at RANDOMIZED in Amman we offer a complimentary repair window precisely so you never feel tempted to pick.
Refill on time, remove the right way
Book your refill around the two-to-three-week mark, before the regrowth gap gets large enough to stress the free edge. When it is finally time to remove, resist the home-removal temptation: have it soaked off or gently filed back by a technician. A good removal takes ten minutes and leaves your natural nail intact and ready for the next set.
Want all of this in one place, on your own hands? Our nail services include gentle prep, application and removal — and our courses teach the same aftercare we give every client.
Common questions
FAQEdge lifting usually comes from one of three things: moisture trapped during prep, a fresh set exposed to heat or water too soon, or peeling at home. Keep nails dry the first day, oil daily, and never pick a lifted edge — and if it persists, ask your tech to cap the free edge during application.
Keep exploring
Ready to book? See our nail services or learn the craft yourself in our courses.