I’ve been getting gel nails since I was 14, but over the past few years, I’ve noticed something unsettling at the nail salon: an occasional, yet uncomfortable sensation during the application process. And it turns out I’m not alone. After talking with my mom—an avid gel nail girlie for decades—and fellow NewBeauty editors, it became clear that feeling pain—a hot, sharp discomfort—especially when curing your gel nails under UV light, is more common than I thought. So, naturally, I had to dig deeper and answer the question on so many nail lover’s minds: Why does it hurt to get gel nails done? To answer my—well, our—queries about gel nail pain, I consulted the experts to find out just why this pain is occurring and how it can be prevented.
Featured Experts
- Mazz Hanna is the CEO of Nailing Hollywood
- Rianna Basurto is the director of marketing and brand development for Bleachers
- Christina Kao is the co-founder of Le Mini Macaron
Why does getting gels hurt?
“The pain you might feel when putting your nails under a UV lamp is known as a ‘heat spike’ in the nail industry,” explains the CEO of Nailing Hollywood, Mazz Hanna, “As the gel cures, a chemical reaction occurs, releasing a small amount of heat as the polish hardens. This can cause a temporary burning or stinging sensation.”
Director of marketing and brand development for Bellacures, Rianna Basurto, adds, “Experiencing pain during gel nail application is not uncommon, but it’s important to understand why it happens. The primary reason for discomfort is often the sensitivity of your nails and surrounding skin. When you apply gel polish, you’re not only covering the nail but also exposing it to UV light during the curing process. The UV lamp is necessary to harden the gel, but it can also cause discomfort if you have sensitive skin or if the gel is applied too thickly.”
Co-founder of Le Mini Macaron, Christina Kao, notes that gel application technique is largely to blame for pain, explaining that “When the gel is too thick, it begins ‘cooking’ under the lamp, which causes that uncomfortable burning feeling. This is why we always recommend applying very thin coats and building up layers for opacity rather than trying to achieve full coverage with one thick coat,” she says.
Is it normal for gel nails to hurt during application?
It’s one thing to understand that pain during gel polish application can be caused by overly thick layers or the sensitivity of your nails in general, but is it normal to be experiencing pain consistently during a gel manicure? According to Kao, the answer is no. “Gel application should never hurt or burn,” Kao affirms, “If you experience that burning sensation, we suggest flash curing first. This means briefly exposing your nails to the UV light from a further distance, for about 10 seconds, before doing a full cure as usual.”
Basurto agrees, noting that “It’s not typical for gel nails to cause significant pain during application. A slight tingling or warmth when the nails are placed under the UV lamp might be normal, but sharp pain or prolonged discomfort is not. If you experience severe pain, it could be a sign of issues like an allergic reaction, incorrect application, or underlying nail health problems.”
Is it safe to get gel nails done if it’s causing pain?
Since gel manicure pain could be a sign of underlying nail health issues or allergies, as Basurto explains, the question remains whether it is safe to get gel nails done if you’re experiencing pain during application. As Hanna explains, “It is safe to experience small heat spikes, but excessive exposure to heat spikes can potentially cause damage to your natural nails. As long as your nail artist is well-trained and follows proper application and removal techniques, your nails will remain healthy.” Basurto adds, “To ensure safety, consult your nail technician about your discomfort and consider seeking a second opinion if necessary. If pain continues, it might be wise to avoid gel nails until the cause is identified and addressed. Regular breaks between gel applications can also help reduce potential risks and discomfort.”
