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Restoration · Sides and Gel Correction

Gel Correction Sides Technique: What It Is, When to Use It, and Why the 1–2mm Rule Exists

By Yuliia Vel, VEL Academy · Russian Manicure Professional Education

Sides are a small gel build-up on the free edge — along the whole free edge or only on the lateral walls. In VEL Academy Russian manicure, Sides are used when the deformation of the free edge is minimal, or when there is no thickness on the free edge and the client does not want to shorten the length. They are made with leveling gel or jelly gel, using a thin brush with light pressure, and should be about 1–2 mm high — any higher, and surface filing will be needed.

VEL Academy methodology: a side should not be high. About 1–2 mm is enough — a higher side means extra surface filing afterward.

Sides are the lightest of the three correction methods in VEL Academy technique. They give the free edge the thickness it is missing without rebuilding the nail. This article explains when Sides are the right choice, why they are kept to 1–2 mm, and how leveling gel and jelly gel differ for this work.

What Sides Are and When VEL Academy Uses Them

Along the Whole Free Edge or Only the Lateral Walls

Sides are built on the free edge. They can go along the whole free edge, or only along the lateral walls — depending on where the nail needs the material.

When to Choose Sides

  • The deformation of the free edge is minimal.
  • There is no thickness on the free edge and the client does not want to shorten the length.

With severe deformation, thin nails or problem nails, VEL Academy uses PolyGel Architecture Restoration instead. How the three methods compare is covered in choosing a nail correction method.

Gel Sides built along the free edge of the nail, about 1–2 mm high

Sides — along the whole free edge or only on the lateral walls, about 1–2 mm high

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The 1–2mm Height Rule

A side should not be high. About 1–2 mm is enough. If the side is higher, the extra material will have to be removed with surface filing afterward — which adds time to the service.

Leveling Gel vs Jelly Gel for Sides

Sides can be made with the same gel you use for leveling, or with jelly gel:

Property Leveling gel Jelly gel
On the nailNeeds faster workHolds its shape longer
Fingers at a time1–24

How leveling gel consistency affects your working pace is covered in fluid vs medium consistency leveling gel.

How Sides Fit into the Gel Correction

The Order of Stages

In the VEL Academy gel correction with Sides, the Sides come after the base coat on the full nail plate and before leveling gel:

  • Base coat on the full nail plate.
  • Sides — about 3–5 minutes.
  • Leveling gel, then filing.

Brush and Pressure

Sides are built with a thin brush and light pressure, keeping the height to about 1–2 mm.

The rule: Sides for minimal deformation or a free edge without thickness when the client keeps the length — along the whole free edge or only the lateral walls, with a thin brush, about 1–2 mm high. For severe deformation, see PolyGel Architecture Restoration in 6 steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sides Technique

Sides are a small gel build-up on the free edge — along the whole free edge or only on the lateral walls. In VEL Academy technique they are the lightest correction method and are made with leveling gel or jelly gel, using a thin brush with light pressure.
When the deformation of the free edge is minimal, or when there is no thickness on the free edge and the client does not want to shorten the length.
Because a higher side means surface filing afterward. About 1–2 mm is enough.
Both work. With leveling gel you need to work faster, 1–2 fingers at a time. Jelly gel holds its shape longer, so Sides can be done on 4 fingers at once.
Yes. Sides can be built along the whole free edge or only on the lateral walls — depending on where the nail needs the material.