Gel vs Polish · Sub-chapter 02
Gel polish — cure, wear, and what to watch.
UV and LED cure, real two-week wear, and the lift-versus-chip distinction that changes how you think about longevity.
92 how-to's · Updated 2 May 2026 · Avg. 4 min per piece · Edited by Nelly · Beauty & Style Director
Editor's note
Gel polish is not just long-lasting lacquer. Photo-initiators in the formula react under UV or LED light, triggering polymerisation that cross-links the film into a hard, flexible coating bonded to the nail surface. That's why it doesn't chip the way regular polish does — it lifts. The failure mode is at the seal, not the surface. Understanding this changes everything about application and removal.
Other nail formats
What gel polish actually is
Gel polish is a urethane acrylate or methacrylate oligomer with photo-initiators. LED lamps cure it in 30–60 seconds per coat. UV lamps take 2 minutes but cure all formulas. The coating bonds to the nail rather than sitting on it, which explains both its longevity and why peeling causes damage.
Myth, meet fact
- Myth: UV lamps cause significant damage. Fact: A full gel session equals a few minutes of midday sun exposure. Low risk, not zero.
- Myth: Gel needs to be filed off. Fact: Soak-off formulas dissolve in acetone within 10–15 minutes with correct wrap technique.
- Myth: You can air-dry gel polish. Fact: Without UV or LED cure, gel stays permanently tacky. It does not cure in sunlight or room light.
The beginner's path
- UV vs LED lamp — the actual difference (4 min)
- The gel polish application sequence (5 min)
- Why gel lifts — and how to prevent it (4 min)
- Gel wear time — what 'two weeks' actually means (3 min)
- Gel removal — the foil wrap method (4 min)
UV vs LED lamp comparison
LED 36W is the current standard — cures most formulas in 30 to 60 seconds. UV 36W takes 2 minutes but cures all formulas including older products. Dual UV/LED lamps are the safest home kit choice. Mini lamps are for travel only. No-wipe top coats eliminate the tacky residue step.
Everything we've published on gel polish
- UV vs LED lamp — wavelength, cure time, and which to buy
- Why gel lifts at the cuticle — five causes and fixes
- The gel polish application sequence from prep to cure
- Gel removal — foil wrap soak-off without damage
- Gel top coat — no-wipe vs wipe, gloss vs matte
- Home gel kit buying guide
- Gel base coat — bonding vs peel-off vs rubber base
- How long gel polish actually lasts
- Gel on short nails — application adjustments
- Patchy gel colour — causes and fixes