Root cause:
Uncured product on skin = biggest allergy risk.

Reduce the risk by:

• Keeping gel off the skin
• Fully curing with a compatible lamp
• Wearing nitrile gloves
• Using products with full ingredient disclosure

If clients show irritation, stop use and
suggest they consult a medical professional.

It’s all in the prep and control:

• Clean and prep the nail thoroughly
• Apply thin, even coats
• Let the product self-level before curing
• Check for thickened gel (this can
  happen when the product is stored above the recommended temperature conditions)

When capping or pulling your brush off the free edge, excess product can sometimes build up and create a small bump.

To avoid this, pull your brush cleanly upwards and away from the free edge before placing it back down.

Try capping the free edge first, before painting the nail, this allows your main colour application to smooth out any excess.

Alternatively, you can lightly brush over the tip after capping to remove any build-up.

Always remove excess gel from your brush before painting to prevent overloading the nail with product.

If your gel looks uneven or bumpy, it usually means you’re applying too much product.

For each layer, make sure you wipe excess gel off your brush, leaving only a small amount on one side.

Apply thin, precise layers, and if needed, do three thin coats of colour rather than one or two thick ones; thick coats will not cure and will not self-level perfectly.

Avoid flooding your topcoat, as it has a thinner viscosity and can run or self-level too quickly, creating an uneven surface.

Keeping every layer light and controlled will help your gel apply smoothly and cure evenly for a perfect finish.

Gel wrinkling can happen for several reasons. The most common cause is applying the product too thickly, especially with highly pigmented colours, which can lead to under-curing and cause the surface to wrinkle.

Other possible causes include insufficient cure time, flash-curing for too short a period, or using a weak or unsuitable lamp.

Revisit your application technique and ensure your lamp is working to full specification and is suitable for the Edge gels to fully cure.

Thin, even coats and proper curing will give you the best, long-lasting results.

If you’re worried about flooding the cuticle area, try using a liner brush to carefully guide the product closer to the cuticle and sidewalls. You don’t need to add more product; simply use what’s already onthe nail. A great technique is to paint the perimeter of the nail first with your liner brush, getting a neat, even outline close to the cuticle, and then use your bottle brush to fill in the rest of the nail. This gives you more control and a clean, professional finish without the risk of flooding.

Use The Edge UV/LED lamp for best results.

• Base coat: 60 seconds
• Colour coats: 60 seconds
• Top coat: 60 seconds

Always cure each layer individually
and ensure full nail exposure under the bulbs.

Start with these questions:

• Was the nail properly prepped and dehydrated?
• Was the product applied too thickly?
• Did it touch the skin?
• Was the curing time followed?
• Did the client expose nails to water/oil/heat too soon?

Pro tip:
Use a compatible base, cap the free edge, and remind clients to wear gloves for cleaning or when using harsh chemicals.

All gel products sold in the UK must:

• Have a CPSR from a qualified assessor
• Be listed on the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification portal
• Include full INCI ingredient labelling
• Follow strict packaging and
  traceability requirements

At The Edge, every product meets or exceeds UK and EU standards. MSDS and CPSRs are available on request.

To extend shelf life:

• Store in a cool, dark place
• Keep bottles tightly sealed
• Don’t wipe necks with acetone—it can degrade the cap seal

Properly stored, gels last 12–24 months after opening.