Crack In Gel Nail

[annasmum]

I have noticed some hairline cracks in my nails. Still trying to get to grips with gels. I used OPI Axxium sculpture gel and just did a NNO as I cannot keep polish on. The cracks are on my left which never gets exposed to acetone or anything like that. Any ideas why the cracks? I've noticed another one on my thumb on the same hand.

Photo is in my albums under nails. Don't know how to post it as part of this thread.

 

[angel fingers]

have you built an apex, or put it on flat like polish?

for an nno you can do it flat if you use a flexible soak off gel because as the nail moves the gel will too.

but using a hard gel like axium you will have much better results if you build an apex because the gel is too rigid to flex as much as the natural nail and it needs the extra strength that an apex will give to prevent it cracking when the nail bends.

 

[annasmum]

Well looking at it there isn't much of an apex as I wanted them really thin and natural looking and more for the polish effect rather than anything else as the soak off won't stay on with me. I suppose your pointer and thumb are the fingers that you use and bend most. I didn't realize that it would make such a difference. I assumed if it's just an NNO and the free edge is quite short apex is not that important. :o

 

[angel fingers]

Well looking at it there isn't much of an apex as I wanted them really thin and natural looking and more for the polish effect rather than anything else as the soak off won't stay on with me. I suppose your pointer and thumb are the fingers that you use and bend most. I didn't realize that it would make such a difference. I assumed if it's just an NNO and the free edge is quite short apex is not that important. :o

hey, dont be:o lol.

a lot of the time what you did will be adequate, but if the natural nail is fairly thin and bendy it will respond better with a bit more of an apex. i do a good 'spine' of acrylic down the centre of the nail and it keeps the overlay from looking clumsy but really gives it more strength.

give it a go and see if it makes a difference.