Gel nail polish requires curing under a UV or LED lamp to harden, not simply air drying. However, there are ways to speed up the drying process after curing.
Speeding Up the Drying Process After Curing
Once your gel polish has been cured under the lamp, there are still a few ways to ensure it's fully dry and to minimize smudging or other issues.
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Ice Bath Method: An effective technique is to use an ice bath. After curing, submerge your nails in a bowl of ice water for 5-10 minutes. The cold temperature helps to quickly set the gel, reducing the risk of smudging. This method is mentioned in the provided reference: "Take an Ice Bath. An ice bath will help regular nail polish and gel polish dry quicker than air drying alone. Allow your nails to dry for five to 10 minutes after applying the last coat of gel, then ice your nails. Fill a bowl with cool water and a few ice cubes."
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Avoid Contact: After curing and any ice bath, avoid touching your nails or engaging in activities that could smudge the wet polish. Allow extra time for complete drying after the ice bath, even if they feel dry to the touch.
Important Considerations
Remember that gel polish needs to be cured under a UV or LED lamp to harden. Air drying alone will not work. The ice bath method is to accelerate the setting process after curing, not as a replacement for curing.
