How Long Does Gel Nails Take To Do

A basic gel manicure to take between 45 to 60 minutes from start to finish. However, if you currently have old gel on your nails that requires removal, you must add an additional 15 to 20 minutes to your schedule, bringing the total time to roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes. If you plan to add nail art (such as French tips or custom designs), allow for an extra 15 to 30 minutes depending on the complexity. Therefore, to be safe and avoid rushing, most clients should block out a 75 to 90-minute window for a complete appointment including removal and application.

Basic Gel Nail Art Takes 45 to 60 Minutes

This time frame of 45 to 60 minutes is not arbitrarily set, but is necessary to ensure that the gel can properly bind and remain on the nail without falling off for several weeks.Nail art is a chemical reaction, gel mainly involves the following steps that must not be rushed:

• Pre-processing (Nail Prep,10-15 minutes): Your technician needs to shape the nails, push back cuticles, and buff the nail plate to remove oils.
• Application and Curing (Layering and Curing,30-40 minutes): The standard gel process includes a primer, two layers of color glue, and a seal. Each layer must be cured under an LED lamp for 30 to 60 seconds, or under a UV lamp for 2 minutes (120 seconds).This curing process is what takes up the bulk of the time but ensures your nails are instantly dry when you leave.

Factoring In Old Gel Removal Add 15 to 20 Minutes

If you’re a repeat customer, the answer to the question “How long does it take to get a manicure?” changes because we have to safely remove the old product first. It’s important to remember that gel can’t be wiped off as easily as normal nail polish. These 15 to 20 minutes are added to perform the standard “soak-off” process. We need to soften the gel by wrapping the nails with a piece of cotton soaked in acetone (acetone) and tin foil. After the colloid softens, the technician gently scrapes off the residue. I ‘ve seen too many cases of violent armor removal because of a hurry, which hurts my armor very much. So, this extra time is actually your necessary investment in nail health, which will make the entire treatment about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Nail Art Designs Require An Additional 15 to 30 Minutes

For those who are not satisfied with monochrome and want to do some tricks, style design will significantly affect the length of time. The fineness of the design determines the additional time required:

• French Tips: Many people think French is very simple, but it is not. Drawing a clean “smile line” requires a very steady technique and fine brushstrokes, which usually adds about 15 minutes.
• Custom design (Custom Designs): Whether it is complex painted patterns, magic mirror powder or diamond ornaments, each finger needs to be treated separately. Complex styles can easily add 30 minutes or more to the service time.

Why 75 to 90 Minutes Is Important

By blocking out a 75 to 90-minute window, you account for the entire cycle: removal of old product, meticulous application of new gel, and potential nail art. Booking this full timeframe prevents the nail technician from rushing the curing process or the cuticle work, ensuring you walk out with a durable, high-quality manicure that justifies the time spent.

Author：Jane

“I’m a licensed nail technician with over a decade of experience in salon management. I specialize in efficient, long-lasting gel applications and believe that knowing the exact timing of your manicure is key to a relaxing, rush-free salon experience.”