How Long Do Semi Cured Gel Nails Actually Last?

A super common question regarding semi-cured gel nail stickers is - how long do they actually last?

We all know brands will claim up to 2 weeks - but it really does depend on your application process and how rough you are with your nails. 

In this blog - we want to outline a few key factors that can influence how long your semi-cured gel nail manicure will last. 

Factor 1: Natural Nail Oily-ness

It’s no secret that if you have naturally more oiler nails this may reduce the overall adhesion effectiveness of your semi-cured gel nails. However, there’s a way around this. You can use a nail dehydrator in your prep regime right before applying your semi-cured gel nail sticker. This will typically help with the adhesion process and make your manicure last longer. You can also try lightly roughing up your nail bed before applying your semi-cured gel nail wrap. However, be sure not to rough up your natural nail bed too much otherwise you may harm your natural nail health. 

Factor 2: Application Process

One factor that might affect the longevity of your semi-cured gel nail sticker manicure is your application process. Like all things - there can be a slight learning curve, but typically after the first application people find semi-cured gel nail stickers very easy to use. Also, some find that if you soak your hands in hot water before applying your semi-cured gel nails they experience some adhesion problems. This is because your natural nail beds retain moisture and thus the adhesion does not stick as well. Also, if you’re using cuticle or heavy moisturisers on your hands and nails before applying your semi-cured gel nail stickers this might also negatively affect adhesion. 

Factor 3: How Do You Treat Your Nails?

This is a huge factor for people - and truly a variable that can be the reason why semi-cured gel nail wraps last longer for some and not others. However, like most things, there are ways to ensure your semi-cured gel nail stickers to last longer even if you’re rough with your nails. If your hands are constantly in contact with water or oils this may affect the longevity of your manicure. People who experience this tend to see that their semi-cured gel nail sticker manicure lasts 5-7 days. 

These are the top three variables to consider when estimating how long your semi-cured gel nail wrap manicure might last. Some people find that using nail dehydrators help with adhesion or not exposing your nails to hot water 24 hours after application.