How Hot and Cold of Temperatures Can Gel Nail Strips Last In?

With the temperatures changing fast (and sometimes going up and down dramatically by the day), you may be wondering about how the heat and cold affects your gel nails. Well, the good news is that the temperature will not strongly affect high quality nail strips, like the ones from Danni & Toni – even in the hottest of summers and coldest of winters. However, it is good to use proper care for your nails to ensure the best results in either hot or cold situations.

 

What Temperature of Heat Will Gel Nail Strips Perform Fine In?

High-quality gel nail strips are designed to withstand environmental heat, such as from direct sunlight and other heated situations. However, prolonged exposure to temperatures above approximately 105–110°F (40–43°C) can begin to cause issues for some gel nail strips. At this temperature range, the adhesive on the strips can begin to soften, reducing the ability to adhere firmly to their nail surface. Extended exposure to high heat can also make the gel coating on the strips more pliable or even begin to deform, affecting their shape and structure. In extreme cases, such as exposure to temperatures above 120°F (49°C), gel strips may lose some luster or become dull to the touch. Such high temperatures can also lead to lifting at the edges or bubbling, reducing the longevity and appearance of the nail strips.

How Low of Temperatures Can the Gel Nail Wraps Go?

Gel nail strips like the ones from Danni & Toni are quite resilient, however even the best quality nails can start facing issues when exposed for a long period of time to very low temperatures, typically below 32°F (0°C). When exposed to freezing conditions like this level, the adhesive backing on the strips can harden, making it more difficult to apply them smoothly to the nail. The gel of the strips might also lose some flexibility, becoming brittle and prone to cracking or when handled. At even lower temperatures, such as 14°F (-10°C) or below, the gel layer can start to lose its elasticity and may chip or flake more easily. So while generally cold temperatures will not cause any issues, extreme can can reduce the strips' durability and compromise their overall finish.

 

What are Good Ways to Protect Nails in Extreme Temperatures?

Protecting gel nail strips in extreme weather conditions – like those described above - can be a big help to maintaining their longevity and appearance. Here are five examples of effective ways to help safeguard your gel nails:

1. Use a Protective Top Coat: Applying a high-quality top coat over your gel strips provides an extra layer of protection against both heat and cold. This top coat helps seal the strips, shielding them from temperature extremes. You can get a matte or glossy top coat from Danni & Toni at a great price by clicking here.
2. Avoid Prolonged Direct Heat Exposure: It’s better to avoid long exposure to direct sources of heat, such as hot showers, saunas, or hair styling tools. This is because high temperatures can soften the adhesive and make your strips more likely to peel or bubble. In very cold weather, wearing gloves outside can help protect your nails from becoming too cold and brittle. This way you and your nails will both feel warm!
3. Moisturize Regularly: In both hot and cold weather, keeping your hands and nails hydrated with a good hand lotion or cuticle oil can lessen drying, which also helps preserve the flexibility and appearance of your gel strips. This can be especially useful in the wintertime, when lower humidity can make strips more brittle.
4. Store Strips Properly Before Use: If you have unused strips, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme cold/heat. You’ll also get better results from keeping them in the original black wrap that Danni & Toni nails are sent in. Storing the nail wraps correctly ensures the adhesive remains strong, and the gel coating retains its integrity and flexibility when you're ready to apply them.

 

So What is the Hottest Level at Which Gel Nail Strips Would Disintegrate at?

In case you are taking a trip towards the sun, it is highly unlikely you would ever encounter temperatures that gel nail strips would disintegrate at. However, from research and testing, gel nail strips would indeed likely start to disintegrate at extremely high temperatures, usually around 300–400°F (149–204°C). At this level of heat, the polymers in the gel layer and adhesive backing would begin to break down on a molecular level, causing them to lose structure and cohesion. This would obviously not be good for you and your nails, but rest assured that any temperatures you would regularly encounter would not have such an issue.

 

Now that you have learned about how temperature can affect nails, check out some of the fun seasonal styles available from Danni & Toni, and be at peace knowing that our nails are designed to protect against all elements – from heat to cold and water. So you can enjoy these gel nail strips all year long, even if you are not in sunny California!