I feel that Unstable elements need a revision, especially on how long it takes to wait them out. This is especially true for Unstable Lightning, which is by far the worst to get (as it gives greatly reduced progress, meaning you spend more durability for less progress percentage).

Let me give you an example of how many waits it took when I got an unstable Lightning element. In this case it did not return to normal.

The harnessed Lightning element becomes unstable!
Durability decreases by 1.
Durability decreases by 2.
Durability decreases by 3.
You use Tender Touch.
Durability decreases by 1.
Durability decreases by 2.
Durability decreases by 3.
Your Tender Touch effect fades.
Durability decreases by 4.
You use Maker's Muse.
Durability decreases by 1.
Durability decreases by 2.
Durability decreases by 3.
Your Maker's Muse effect fades.
You use Ingenuity.
Durability decreases by 1.
Durability decreases by 2.
Durability decreases by 3.
Your Ingenuity effect fades.
Durability decreases by 4.
Durability decreases by 5.
Durability decreases by 6.
Durability decreases by 7.
Durability decreases by 8.
You botch the synthesis!

That's 18 Waits used and 3 abilities to lower the dura cost of waiting (I would have used Preserve on the last set of Waits but it never popped). 18 waits for an unstable element? Come on, that is way too much. I have personally seen 24 waits at the maximum without it going away as well. I have crafting gear for Control too, gloves + belt, so it's not a matter of my gear not being good enough. I've noticed this seems to happen more often on Lightning, but I've had similar situations with other elements.

It should not take close to 20 waits to get rid of an unstable element - this is beyond ridiculous.