The tacky surface left on the nail after UV or LED gel has cured is referred to as what?

The term for the tacky surface left on the nail after UV or LED gel has cured is known as the inhibition layer. This layer occurs because the curing process of UV or LED gels does not fully polymerize the top layer of the gel. Instead, this partially cured surface remains sticky, which is necessary for proper adhesion of additional layers, such as top coats or other products.

Understanding the significance of the inhibition layer is crucial for nail technicians, as it must be removed before applying further products to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish. This layer is a result of the chemical reaction that occurs during the curing process, and it plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of the overall manicure or nail enhancement.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately describe this specific phenomenon. The surface layer generally refers to the outermost layer of a product but does not denote its tackiness. The base layer typically refers to the initial layer applied before any color or design and is not related to the curing process. The adhesive layer, while it might sound relevant, is not the commonly accepted term in this context and does not specifically refer to the sticky layer left after curing.