Is Re-Cover Plus HEMA free?

Yes. Re-Cover Plus is HEMA-free and TPO-free. Removing HEMA is not a safety guarantee. Allergic sensitization can happen with any methacrylate when uncured product touches skin or when the product is not properly cured. We label HEMA-free as a fact, not a safety claim.

What is the difference between Re-Cover Plus and BIAB?

BIAB-style systems provide initial structure but lose shape between appointments. Filed edges round off. Square becomes oval. Re-Cover Plus holds filed shape longer and supports extensions 1-5mm past the free edge. BIAB-style systems cannot extend. Re-Cover Plus also offers soak-off or fillable options depending on primer choice.

What is the difference between Re-Cover Plus and structure gel?

Standard structure gels maintain flexibility but cannot hold crisp filed edges or support extensions. Re-Cover Plus holds filed shape between appointments, extends 1-5mm, reinforces thin nails, and repairs chips. The formula self-levels with no bubbling and minimal heat when layers stay thin.

How long do extensions last with Re-Cover Plus?

Standard fill schedule is every 3 to 5 weeks. The product lasts until the next fill. Regrowth creates mechanical imbalance at the cuticle area that leads to lifting at the proximal end. The product does not break down. Variables that affect wear are tech technique, client nail plate condition, proper prep, and proper cure with the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.

How far can I extend with Re-Cover Plus?

1-5mm past the free edge. This covers clients who need short length without committing to hard gel. Extensions beyond 5mm exceed capacity. Longer extensions require hard gel systems.

Does Re-Cover Plus cause heat spikes?

When applied correctly, heat spikes should not occur. Keep layers thin, around 2mm in built zones. Thicker layers generate more heat during curing regardless of gel system. For heat-sensitive clients, flash cure for 2 to 5 seconds between passes to cure product in stages rather than all at once.

Can I soak off Re-Cover Plus?

Depends on primer choice. Use Optima UV Primer and the product soaks off in acetone after filing the bulk thin. Use SALT Acid Primer and the product stays on permanently for maintenance fills. This decision is made at application. You cannot change the removal method after primer selection.

Can I use Re-Cover Plus on thin or damaged nails?

Yes. Re-Cover Plus provides reinforcement without excessive thickness that feels heavy or looks bulky. The gel absorbs flexural stress rather than transferring it to the bond line. Minimal heat generation makes it suitable for damaged nails that may be more heat-sensitive. Flash cure between layers for sensitive clients.

Can I repair chips with Re-Cover Plus?

Yes. Clean the chip area. Apply standard prep system. Place Re-Cover Plus over the damage zone. The gel fills the gap and cures into solid structure. File smooth to blend with surrounding nail. Finish with top coat. The repair holds until the nail grows out enough to clip the damaged section.

Do I need a special lamp for Re-Cover Plus?

Re-Cover Plus is formulated and tested for proper cure under the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp. We cannot confirm proper cure with other lamps because we have not tested against them. Proper cure depends on the lamp's diode count, diode quality, and actual output, not the wattage printed on the box. Wattage is an electrical input number, not a measure of what reaches the nail. Using a different lamp means unknown cure conditions, and undercured product causes lifting, dullness, and skin sensitivity.

How do I prevent Re-Cover Plus from lifting?

Lifting traces back to skipped or incomplete prep, oil or moisture on the nail plate, skin contact during application, undercured product, or mixing products from different brands whose chemistries were not designed to work together. Run through prep and cure first when troubleshooting, and use Arch Rival PREP, base, and the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp end to end.

Can I apply gel polish over Re-Cover Plus?

Yes. After Re-Cover Plus has achieved proper cure, apply Killer Coats Gel Polish over the cured structure for color. The gel polish bonds to the cured Re-Cover Plus surface.

How do I remove Re-Cover Plus?

For soak-off applications (Optima UV Primer): file the bulk of the enhancement thin, soak in acetone until softened, gently remove product. Do not force removal. For fillable applications (SALT Acid Primer): the product is not designed for soak-off removal. Reduce and maintain through fills.

How do I store Re-Cover Plus?

Room temperature, out of direct sunlight. UV exposure breaks down photoinitiators in the bottle and shortens shelf life.

What is the shelf life of Re-Cover Plus?

Sealed bottle shelf life is 24 months from manufacture date when stored at room temperature out of UV exposure. Once opened, expect 12 to 18 months of working life with proper storage.

Is Re-Cover Plus vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes. The Re-Cover Plus formula contains no animal-derived ingredients, and the product is not tested on animals at any stage. Animal-derived ingredients are rarely used in nail products. Animal testing for cosmetics has been banned across the EU since 2004 and across 42 countries globally. We list these as facts, not differentiators, because they are the legal baseline.

Where is Re-Cover Plus made?

Re-Cover Plus sources raw materials from specialized chemistry suppliers. Photoinitiators come from Germany. Monomers, oligomers, and polymers come from Japan. Cosmetic-grade pigments come from established global manufacturers. Manufacturing meets GMPC certification (Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics). Every Arch Rival product is registered with the CCNB (Canadian Cosmetic Notification Board) for the Canadian market.

Is Re-Cover Plus certified or registered with regulatory bodies?

Manufacturing meets GMPC certification (Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics). All Arch Rival products are registered with the CCNB (Canadian Cosmetic Notification Board) for sale in Canada. The formula is HEMA-free, TPO-free, vegan, and not tested on animals.

Is Re-Cover Plus 7-free or 10-free?

The X-free arms race (3-free, 7-free, 10-free, 21-free) is fear-based marketing. Most ingredients on those lists were either removed years ago for regulatory reasons or were never present in the concentrations implied. We list what the formula IS (HEMA-free, TPO-free, GMPC certified, CCNB registered) instead of inflating an X-free count.

Is Re-Cover Plus hypoallergenic?

No. We do not make that claim. Hypoallergenic means below average allergy potential, not no allergy potential. A 2017 study published in JAMA Dermatology (Xu et al., Northwestern University) found that 83 percent of products marketed as hypoallergenic contained at least one known allergen. The term has no regulated definition. All gel products, including ours, are methacrylate chemistry. Sensitization can happen with any methacrylate when uncured product touches skin or when the product is not properly cured.