Tech Talk n°23 What if I interrupt the curing process?

If your client pulls out her hand before the end of the curing process, make sure she hasn’t pumped or touched it and restart the curing cycle from the beginning. 

Although it is possible to interrupt and resume the curing of colour gels, it is not generally recommended as standard practice. When curing is resumed, the polymerization process picks up again, but it may not reach the same level of completion as it would with an uninterrupted cure. This is because the chain reaction is disrupted, leading to shorter polymer chains, which could result in a softer, less durable, or more prone-to-peeling nail coating. 

Gels with a sticky layer can be especially sensitive to interruptions in curing, as exposure to oxygen can interfere with the polymerization process, particularly at the surface. This may result in the formation of an "oxygen inhibition layer," which remains improperly cured. 

In a salon environment, time is of the essence, and many nail technicians adopt the habit of working finger by finger, curing each finger in sync with their work speed. This practice often results in interrupted curing, where the same finger is placed under the lamp multiple times before concluding with an additional full curing cycle for the entire hand. 

When working finger by finger, ensure that the gel receives the total recommended curing time and aim to minimize interruptions. Short pauses are generally less problematic than longer ones. It's advisable to start with the thumb, as it's the largest finger, to ensure it receives adequate curing. 

Some "no-cleanse" colour gels are formulated to be more resistant to oxygen inhibition, making them more forgiving of interruptions, provided they undergo a full cure.  

ProNails Colour Gels are formulated for five-finger application without risk of colour retraction or flooding the cuticles. This allows one single curing cycle which enables you to work even faster.