Troubleshooting Lifting: How to Identify Different Types of Lifting and What to Ask Your Clients

Troubleshooting Lifting: How to Identify Different Types of Lifting and What to Ask Your Clients

If you’re a nail professional, you know the struggle: you’ve spent hours creating the perfect set, your client leaves thrilled, and then—days later—you get that dreaded text:

“My nails are lifting.”

It’s one of the most common issues nail techs face, and it can be frustrating because lifting has multiple causes—from incorrect prep to product compatibility to lifestyle habits. But here’s the good news: every type of lifting leaves clues. If you can identify the type of lifting and ask the right questions, you can troubleshoot like a pro and keep your clients happy.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• The different types of lifting and what they look like
• Why each type happens
• Questions to ask your clients so you can get to the root cause
• Action steps to prevent lifting in the future

Why Lifting Happens in the First Place

Lifting occurs when the enhancement or gel coating separates from the natural nail. This can happen at the cuticle, sidewalls, or within the enhancement itself.

Common causes include:

• Improper prep or contamination (oils, dust, moisture)
• Using the wrong product or lamp
• Nails that are too long or thin for the client’s lifestyle
• Health or medication changes that affect nails
• Incorrect filing or over-buffing the natural nail

The key to solving lifting issues is identifying the pattern—because where and how the lifting occurs tells a story.

The Main Types of Lifting (and How to Spot Them)

1. Cuticle Area Lifting

What it looks like:

• The product is lifting at the base of the nail near the cuticle.
• Usually appears as a small gap that grows over time.

Common causes:

• Incomplete cuticle removal or dead skin left on the plate.
• Applying product too close to living skin (flooding).
• Product applied too thick near the cuticle.
• Natural oils left behind from improper prep.

Questions to ask your client:

• “Did you notice any lifting starting right after your appointment?”
• “Have you been picking or pushing back your cuticles at home?”
• “Have you been using oils or lotions on your hands right before the appointment?”

Fix:

• Improve cuticle prep with a dry manicure approach.
• Use a dehydrator and primer correctly.
• Float product, don’t press it into the cuticle.

2. Sidewall Lifting

What it looks like:

• Lifting occurs along the side edges of the nail.
• Sometimes both sides or just one, depending on hand dominance.

Common causes:

• Skin or cuticle left on the nail plate near the sidewalls.
• Over-filing that thins out the sides, creating weak spots.
• Nails filed too narrow, leaving stress points.
• Sidewalls touching skin during application.

Questions to ask your client:

• “Do you notice the lifting more on your dominant hand?”
• “Have you been doing any activities that put sideways pressure on your nails (typing, opening cans, lifting weights)?”

Fix:

• Pay attention to filing shape and sidewall prep.
• Keep the enhancement balanced—not too thin at the sides.

3. Free Edge Lifting

What it looks like:

• Lifting starts from the tip of the nail and works its way back.
• Common with gel polish on natural nails.

Common causes:

• Free edge not properly capped with product.
• Nails that are peeling or splitting underneath.
• Client using nails as tools (picking, scraping).
• Nails too thin from aggressive filing.

Questions to ask your client:

• “Do you use your nails to open things or scrape labels?”
• “Do your nails tend to peel or break easily?”
• “Have you been in water a lot (swimming, dishwashing)?”

Fix:

• Always cap the free edge with base, color, and top coat.
• Recommend nail strengtheners or builder for weak nails.
• Educate clients on not using nails as tools.

4. Pocket Lifting

What it looks like:

• A bubble or pocket forms under the enhancement.
• The top layer looks intact, but underneath is a gap.

Common causes:

• Nails too long for the client’s lifestyle, causing flex.
• Uneven product application creating stress points.
• Client hitting nails often, causing internal separation.
• Incorrect curing, leaving the bottom layer under-cured.

Questions to ask your client:

• “Have you been experiencing any accidental hits or bends on your nails?”
• “Do you do activities that put pressure on the nail tips (lifting weights, typing, sports)?”
• “Have you had this happen multiple times in the same spot?”

Fix:

• Shorten nails to a length appropriate for the client’s lifestyle.
• Reinforce structure with proper apex placement.
• Use a high-quality lamp to ensure full cure.

5. Random or Spot Lifting

What it looks like:

• No clear pattern—just random spots of lifting on various nails.

Common causes:

• Client health changes (medications, hormones).
• Seasonal dryness or over-hydration of nails.
• Improper application steps skipped occasionally.

Questions to ask your client:

• “Have you started new medications or noticed changes in your nails or skin?”
• “Do you have oily or very dry skin?”
• “Have you been moisturizing or soaking your hands more than usual?”

Fix:

• Review your prep process—are you consistent?
• Educate client on proper aftercare (avoid soaking, oils only after curing).
• If persistent, suggest a doctor check for underlying health issues.

The Importance of Asking the Right Questions

When lifting becomes a pattern, it’s rarely about one thing. It’s often a mix of nail tech technique + client habits + product choice. Asking thoughtful questions does two things:

• Helps you identify the root cause quickly.
• Shows your client you care about solving the problem—not blaming them.

Top Questions Every Nail Tech Should Ask When Troubleshooting Lifting

1. When did you first notice the lifting?

• Immediately or after a few days?
• Helps you determine if it’s a prep issue (early lifting) or lifestyle issue (later lifting).

2. Which nails are lifting?

• All nails = technique/product issue.
• One or two nails repeatedly = lifestyle or shape issue.

3. What do you do for work and hobbies?

• Typing, cleaning, hairdressing, gym workouts—all affect nails differently.

4. Have you changed any medications or noticed nail changes recently?

• Health and medication can affect adhesion.

5. Do you use oils, lotions, or sanitizer often?

• Oils before appointment can cause product separation.

Preventing Lifting Starts with Education

Clients don’t always know what causes lifting—they think it’s just “bad nails.” Educating them on aftercare and setting realistic expectations is key:

• Nails are not tools.
• Avoid soaking hands in water for long periods.
• Apply cuticle oil after nails are fully cured and finished—not before appointments.

Quick Troubleshooting Chart

Type of Lifting	Likely Cause	Fix
Cuticle Lifting	Poor prep, product flooding	Dry manicure, better cuticle work
Sidewall Lifting	Skin on sidewalls, over-filing	Refine prep, maintain structure
Free Edge Lifting	No capping, weak nail edge	Cap free edge, reinforce weak nails
Pocket Lifting	Nails too long, incorrect apex	Adjust length, improve structure
Random Lifting	Health changes, inconsistency	Ask questions, review technique

Final Thoughts

Lifting isn’t just a technical problem—it’s an opportunity to become a problem solver for your clients. By learning to identify lifting patterns and asking the right questions, you’ll not only prevent future issues but also build trust and loyalty.

The bottom line:

• Every type of lifting has a cause.
• The key is observation + client communication.
• Troubleshooting makes you a better nail tech and keeps your books full.