UV or LED gels cure with a tacky surface called what?

The correct answer is the inhibition layer, which refers to the tacky surface that remains on UV or LED cured gels. When gel products are cured using UV or LED light, a photochemical reaction occurs, causing the gel to harden. However, this curing process does not fully eliminate all of the molecules at the surface of the gel, leading to a residual sticky film that is known as the inhibition layer.

The presence of this layer is important because it allows for better adhesion when applying additional products such as top coats or nail art. This layer must often be wiped away with an appropriate cleanser or wiped away using alcohol after the curing process, especially if a smooth finish is desired for the final look.

All the other options do not accurately describe this phenomenon. For example, the surface layer might suggest a finished product, but it does not account for the tacky residue left over after curing. Similarly, the sealing layer generally refers to a coat that protects a finished manicure rather than a by-product of the curing process itself. Lastly, the building layer relates to the structure of the gel being applied, not to the condition of its surface after curing. The inhibition layer is thus a crucial term in understanding gel manicure processes and their properties.