Nail Polish Tips

Does Gel Polish Air Dry?

Written by Tara

After painting on the first coat of no-light gel polish, wait between 5 to 10 minutes for the polish to air-dry. Then proceed to paint on the second coat. Dry this coat for another 5 to 10 minutes. With no-light gel polish, the UV radiation in the natural daylight helps cure the polish.

The short answer is no. Oxygen gets in the way of curing gel nails. Air prevents the gel molecules from forming together to harden, which explains why your gel polish will never dry in the air.

Generally How long does it take gel nail polish to dry without UV light? You don’t need a lamp for this gel nail polish; simply let your colour dry for two minutes before you apply a second coat for an opaque finish.

Here You Can Watch The Video How Long Does Toe Nail Polish Last?


Similarly, How To Make Your Nail Polish Last 2 WEEKS

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

How long does it take for gel like nail polish to dry?

Gel nails will not dry or cure without the addition of either a UV or LED drying process. Both ways will start the process of polymerization. The molecules in the gel polish work with the light rays to produce a hard, smudge and chip-free finish. The process takes around 3 minutes.

What is the fastest way to dry gel nail polish?

Cold air is really the most effective way to solidify the polish faster. If you don’t have a cool setting on your electric fans or blow dryer, try holding your hands in the freezer. I know it’s cold but it’s a great trick and TBH we’ll take any chance to avoid smearing our nails before they’re dry.

Can gel dry without UV light?

Use Non-UV Gel Polish Yes, they exist. For example, OPI gel nail polish does not require a UV light. It simply goes on like regular nail polish and will dry like normal nail polish. Swipe a base coat on your nails, apply the gel polish color, and apply a top coat.

Can you set gel polish without UV light?

Thankfully, there are alternative ways to cure gel polish with less UV exposure. While only an LED lamp can cure your polish as quickly and effectively as a UV light, using a non-UV gel polish, applying a drying agent, or soaking your nails in ice water could work as well.

How do I know if my gel nails are cured?

Other signs of under curing may be: loss of clarity; cloudy finish; thicker than normal sticky dispersion layer; dulling, soft surfaces; areas where the colour was too easily wiped or filed away. If a client’s skin itches whilst soaking off the product, this can be a sign that the nail coating was not properly cured.

What can I use if I don’t have a UV nail lamp?

Get yourself a LED lamp The good news is, especially for those who do regular manicure is that LED light is less damaging to the skin than a UV light and it is something you can easily get from a good beauty shop. You can always use it in place of a UV light to cure it.

Can gel polish be cured with sunlight?

A little bit of UV is going to affect the gel polish just as much as a lot. Just a second or two of sunlight exposure will create clumps of semi-cured gel within the polish, and if you’re using a clear top or base coat your brush will cure as stiff as a rock almost instantly!

Why are my gel nails not drying?

It sounds like the gel-polish is not fully cured. If you are using a traditional UV lamp, make sure the bulbs are fresh. You need to change them out every three months or so. It is also possible that you are applying the gel-polish too thick.

What dries gel polish?

You can cure your gel nail polish by using either an LED lamp or a UV lamp. If you’re using Bluesky products, we advise using the Bluesky lamp for best results (due to the products being tested & formulated with our lamp). It is easy to cure your gel nail polish.

Does cold water set nail polish?

‘Yes, you can speed up your drying time by submerging your nails in cold water,’ confirms Michelle. Hooray! She advises, ‘Simply fill a bowl, dip your nails, and wait 3-5 minutes – or however long you can spare! You can even add a few ice cubes to make the temperature cooler.

Does cold water help nails dry faster?

The water may thicken the polish so it seems to dry more quickly. The only way to get a hard coat of polish is to let it dry. The cold water won’t hurt anything, but it won’t speed the process up.

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About the author

Tara

I am Tara, and I am addicted to nail polishes and other beauty related things!:) Join me on my ride to paradise!