FYI, Your Nails Shouldn’t Burn During a Gel Manicure: A Nail Technician Reveals Why Heat Spikes Aren’t Normal (2025)

What’s more startling than a horror movie jump scare? Not much, TBH, but one experience that does top it is the unexpected pain of a heat spike mid manicure. Aka that burning sensation you feel when curing your nails under a UV lamp. *war flashbacks*

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you, too, have been silenced by the pain of a gel nail heat spike and are seeking answers. Well, look no further because with the expertise of nail technician Iram Shelton, we’re spilling the (acetone-free) tea on what causes the discomfort and how you can keep your next mani from turning into a full-blown episode of Nailed It: Sinister Edition.

What is a gel manicure heat spike?

Simply, Iram says that a heat spike is that “sudden, intense warming or burning sensation you might feel when your gel nail polish or builder gel is curing under the lamp.” Usually, she tells me, it happens with thicker gel products.

What causes a heat spike during a gel manicure?

It’s all about the curing process. “When the gel is exposed to the LED or UV lamp,” Iram says, “a chemical reaction called polymerisation happens, and this creates heat.”

However, “if the layer of gel is too thick, the reaction happens super fast, causing heat to build up quickly and hit the nail bed,” Iram explains. Overall, this heat spike is caused by incorrect product application and curing times and is not meant to happen.

Are heat spikes bad for your nails?

Heat spikes are not “ideal,” Iram says, “but don’t panic because it doesn’t automatically mean your nails are damaged. However, repeated or extreme heat spikes can cause discomfort, sensitivity, and in rare cases, damage to the natural nail if it’s been over-filed or already weakened. It’s definitely something to flag with your nail tech if it happens often.”

How to stop and prevent heat spikes:

Is there anything you can do to prevent heat spikes when you’re having a manicure? In short: Yes! Iram shares a few pointers that you (or your nail tech) can do to prevent or stop a heat spike:

• Apply products in thinner layers, especially with builder gels or overlays.
• Flash cure and pop your hand in the lamp for just a couple of seconds, pull it out, then cure again fully. This helps ease your nails into the heat.
• Tell your nail tech! A good tech will adjust the application and/or curing time to keep you comfy.
• If it starts to feel hot, pull your hand out immediately—don’t tough it out! You can always cure in shorter bursts instead. (Generally, a nail tech will lower the heat intensity and, in turn, up the curing time. This slows down the reaction process and minimizes heat spikes.)

Ultimately, understanding and mitigating heat spikes in nails is essential, not just for preserving product quality but for ensuring the safety and comfort of every client. When it comes to your mani, remember: pleasure, not pain!