Most Frequently Asked Questions: How To Do Gel Nails At Home (2025 edition)

Master the Art of DIY Gel Nails at Home: Your Top Questions Answered

If you’ve been thinking of doing gel nails at home, you’re not alone. The convenience, cost savings, and professional-looking results have made DIY gel nails a growing trend. We’ll answer four of the most popular queries: “How to do gel nails at home?”, “Do I need a UV or LED lamp for gel nails?”, “How long should I cure my gel nails?”, and “Can I do gel nails without a lamp?” Read on to find out how to perfect your at-home gel manicure.

1. How to Do Gel Nails at Home

DIY gel nails at home: A quick guide

1. Prep Your Nails

   • Gently push back cuticles.
   • Shape your nails with a file and buff the surface slightly to remove shine.
   • Cleanse nails with an alcohol-based solution to eliminate oils.

2. Apply Base Coat

   • Use a thin layer of a high-quality gel base coat.
   • Avoid flooding the cuticles or sidewalls.

3. Cure Under a UV or LED Lamp

   • Follow the manufacturer’s recommended curing time (typically 30–90 seconds for LED).

4. Apply Your Gel Polish Colour

   • Apply in thin, even layers.
   • Cure each layer with the nail lamp.

5. Seal with a Top Coat

   • Apply the gel top coat to lock in colour.
   • Cure again.

6. Wipe Off the Tacky Layer

   • After curing the top coat, some gels leave a sticky residue.
   • Remove it with a lint-free wipe soaked in rubbing alcohol for a glossy finish.

2. Do I Need a UV or LED Lamp for Gel Nails?

UV and LED lamp for gel nails at home

• Both UV and LED lamps can be used to cure gel polish.
• All gels require a lamp in order to cure. They do not air dry like traditional nail polishes

3. How Long Should I Cure My Gel Nails?

Proper gel nail curing times for best results

• General Rule of Thumb: 30–60 seconds per layer
• Signs of Under-Curing
  • If your gel polish remains tacky or peels quickly, it may be under-cured. Try recharging your nail lamp if you have a portable charging lamp, and check the condition of the bulbs in the lamp if you have been using your lamp for a long time.

Pro Tip: Make sure your lamp’s bulbs or LEDs are in good condition. A weaker lamp can affect curing times and results.

4. Can I Do Gel Nails Without a Lamp?

Gel nails without a lamp at home options

• No-Lamp Polishes
  • Nail polishes that don't require curing are traditional nail polishes that air-dry. These polishes do not tend to last long and chip more easily 

• Optimal Results: For a true, salon-quality gel manicure, a nail lamp is essential. If you’re set on going lamp-free, opt for “gel-like” top coats and accept that the wear time may be shorter (usually 7–10 days instead of the typical 2-3+ weeks for lamp-cured gels).