Many nail technicians face the problem of unpleasant and even painful burning sensations in the nails during polymerization of gel polish in the lamp. If your client complains of discomfort and a feeling of heat during polymerization of the base or gel polish, it is important to first identify the causes of this phenomenon. They can vary from the characteristics of the lamp itself to the individual characteristics of the client's body.

If you have never encountered this problem or still do not know how to solve it, read our article to the end. We will analyze the possible causes in detail and offer effective solutions to eliminate discomfort.

When gel polish polymerizes in a nail lamp, chemical changes occur that can be explained using school chemistry lessons. Gel polish consists of molecules that are in their original state in liquid form and are randomly distributed.

After applying gel polish to the nails and placing the hand under a UV or LED lamp, the molecules are activated, causing them to be ordered and go into a more structured state. As a result, the molecules line up into a crystal lattice, and the gel polish hardens, turning from a liquid state into a solid one. This process is called polymerization and is accompanied by the release of heat, which causes a burning sensation during polymerization.

During the polymerization of gel polish, an exothermic chemical reaction occurs, which releases heat. Gel polish contains photochemical initiators that start the polymerization process of the liquid layer. The amount of these initiators affects the speed of polymerization: the more of them in the composition, the faster the process.

Due to accelerated polymerization, more heat is released, which can cause a feeling of warmth or even burning during use. Therefore, gel polish will never dry in a few seconds - this could lead to burns of the nails.

Sometimes the burning sensation becomes unbearable, and the reasons for this may no longer be associated with a chemical reaction. In such cases, it is worth paying attention to the following possible causes:

- The gel polish layer (base or top) is too thick.

The thicker the layer of material, the more substance is on the nail, which leads to an increase in the number of particles involved in the polymerization process. As a result, more heat is generated.

- The material is transparent.

You've probably noticed that the burning sensation occurs more often when applying a base or top coat, and less often when using gel polish. This is because the pigments in the gel polish slow down the penetration of rays, which leads to a slower reaction and the release of less heat.

- The lamp is very powerful.

The stronger the lamp affects the material, the faster its polymerization occurs, but this can also lead to thermal burns of the nail plate. Therefore, it is important to choose the right lamp for drying gel polish so as not to damage the nails. Usually, a 36 W lamp is enough for effective ultraviolet lighting and safe curing of gel polish.

- Thin nails.

If, when removing old gel polish, the material was removed incorrectly, which led to damage and thinning of the nail plate (this often happens when using a manicure machine), the client may experience a stronger burning sensation than usual. This is due to the fact that the top layer of the nail has become thinner, and the sensitivity of the capillaries underneath has increased.

- Individual sensitivity to pain.

This indicator can vary not only from person to person, but also from procedure to procedure. The same client can easily tolerate the polymerization of the material on one day, but a month later experience a burning sensation during correction, even if the same materials are used. Sensitivity to pain depends on many factors, including the current state of the nervous and immune systems, time of day, and even the menstrual cycle. Each person has their own pain threshold, which can change under the influence of hormonal changes, especially in women.
Whatever the reason, the client should not tolerate discomfort in the hope that the unpleasant sensations will go away on their own. In this case, the risk of thermal burn is very high. As soon as you determine why the material causes burning in the lamp, try to solve the problem as quickly as possible.

- Do not allow the client to experience pain under any circumstances - this can lead to burns of the nail plate!

- If you feel any discomfort, immediately remove your hand from the lamp. Do not shake your hand to avoid displacing the gel polish, which has already partially polymerized.

- Keep your hand close to the lamp during the process so that the rays can reach the nail plate and prevent gel polish from accumulating on the surface. The burning sensation usually lasts no more than 5 seconds.

- If the burning sensation is too strong, press your fingers against something cold, such as a work table.

- Once the burning sensation subsides, put your hand back in the lamp. Usually, there is no discomfort when you are under the lamp again.
You have probably noticed that gel polish often burns at the beginning of the polymerization process. This is because a significant part of the chemical reaction, accompanied by the release of heat, occurs at the beginning. Therefore, the burning sensation usually passes quickly.

If you feel a slight burning sensation (comfortable - just a feeling of warmth), do not remove your hand from the lamp to avoid leakage of the material.

- First, apply a thin layer of gel polish. This rule applies to both the base and the top, although the consistency of some of them may make it difficult to apply a thin layer. This usually happens with coatings that get very hot in the lamp. In this case, instead of a rubber base, you can use the method of protecting the nail plate with acrylic powder.

- For sensitive nails, you can use lamps with a power control function, which will reduce the intensity of exposure and avoid discomfort. Lamps equipped with special modes for such cases are already available on the market, which provide gentle and comfortable drying of gel polish.

- Always use a base for gel polish. If problems arise, try replacing it with a cover base. It is slightly matte, and helps slow down the heating process and makes the coating more durable.

- For sensitive and thin nails, it is recommended to first take a recovery course to strengthen and improve their condition. While the recovery process is in progress, it is recommended to use gel polish, applying it in several thin layers to minimize the load on the nails.

Explain to your clients that the feeling of heat during polymerization is a normal and natural process. Without this heat, the material will not be able to polymerize properly.

Always choose materials and equipment for manicure and pedicure responsibly and carefully. Cheap gel polishes are often of low quality and may contain unknown chemicals, which can lead to serious burns and require long-term treatment. Counterfeit nail dryer lamps may only last a few months and pose a danger to the health of nails and skin.


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