Liam Carter
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those wanting long-lasting, chip-resistant nails. But what happens when your nails start to grow out? Do you need to remove the gel polish and start over, or can you simply refill it? The good news is that you can indeed refill gel nails, and it's a great way to keep your nails strong and healthy. This process, known as a gel infill, involves filing down the existing gel polish, prepping the nails, and then filling in the grown-out part with a new manicure. This method prevents over-prepping your natural nail, which can lead to weakness and damage. So, if you're a fan of gel nails, don't worry – you can keep them looking fabulous with regular infills!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to refill gel nails | Every 2-3 weeks |
| How to refill gel nails | File down existing gel polish, perform cuticle care and prep, add more gel to the centre of the nail, cure under a lamp, and paint nails |
| Tools needed for refilling gel nails | Nail file, buffer block, lint-free nail wipes, nail prep dehydrator, LED or UV lamp |
| Benefits of refilling gel nails | Prevents damage to nail beds, keeps nails strong, allows nails to grow without breaking |
| Downsides of refilling gel nails | Requires practice, time-consuming, may not be offered by salons |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of refilling gel nails
Refilling gel nails is a great way to maintain the health of your nails while enjoying a variety of nail art and polish. Unlike acrylic nails, which can be harsh on your natural nails and have a difficult removal process, gel nail extensions are a safer and more flexible option. Here are some benefits of refilling gel nails:
- Longevity and Durability: Gel nails offer chip resistance for about 1.5 to 3 weeks, sometimes even longer. This means you can enjoy your manicure for an extended period without worrying about chips or breaks.
- Nail Health: Refilling gel nails is a healthier option compared to frequently removing and reapplying a full set. Pulling off the entire set of nails can damage your nail beds and leave them paper-thin. In contrast, refilling gel nails involves filing down the existing gel polish, which is a gentler process.
- Customization: With gel nail extensions, you have the flexibility to modify the shape, color, and design during the refilling process. This allows you to change your nail style without starting from scratch.
- Safety and Growth: Gel extensions create an overlay on your natural nails, allowing them to grow safely underneath. This technique helps strengthen your nails and promotes their growth.
- Convenience: Refilling gel nails is a time-saving option, especially if you're looking for a quick touch-up. It eliminates the need to start the manicure process from the beginning, as the existing gel provides a good base to work with.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Refilling gel nails can be more cost-effective than frequently removing and reapplying a new set. By retaining the base, you reduce the time and materials required for a fresh manicure, which can result in cost savings.
Overall, the process of refilling gel nails offers several advantages, including maintaining nail health, customization options, and cost-effectiveness. It is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy long-lasting, stylish nails while minimizing potential damage to their natural nails.
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How to refill gel nails at home
Refilling your gel nails at home can save you a trip to the salon and help maintain the health of your nails. It is important to follow the correct process to ensure your gel nails look clean and last another three to four weeks. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving a professional gel nail refill at home:
Step 1: File Down Existing Gel Polish
Use a coarse file (180-grit) to remove the shiny top layer of polish and most of the base gel. An electric nail file can be used for this step, followed by a hand file. Make sure to only file the gel and not your natural nail, and use a back-and-forth motion with the nail file, applying enough pressure to remove the gel without damaging your natural nail.
Step 2: Cuticle Care and Prep
After filing, focus on your cuticles. After a few weeks of wearing gel nails, your cuticles will likely have grown back, which can cause the nails to look messy and the polish to lift and peel. Clean your cuticles and remove any dead skin. You can also use a buffer block to create a rough texture on your nails, which will help the gel adhere better. Remember not to over-buff your natural nails to avoid damage. Use a lint-free nail wipe to remove any dust, and then wipe down the nail plate with a prep solution to remove any remaining dust, dirt, or oils.
Step 3: Dehydrate Nails
Before applying the new gel, it is important to dehydrate your nail surface. You can use a nail prep dehydrator and simply glide it onto your nails, leaving them to air dry.
Step 4: Apply the Gel
Depending on your gel system, you may need to apply a base gel first and then a builder gel. Starting at the cuticle area, carefully place the gel on the nail and drag it up to the tip. Once the entire nail is covered, add a little more gel to the centre of the nail to build up the apex and add structure. Turn your nail upside down for a few seconds to allow gravity to help give more height to the apex.
Step 5: Cure the Gel
After applying the gel, cure your nails under an LED lamp for 60 seconds or a UV lamp for 120 seconds.
Step 6: Sculpt and Paint Your Nails
Once your nails are cured, you can sculpt them using a nail file to achieve your desired shape. Sweep away any dust, and then it's time for the fun part—painting your nails! Remember to cure each coat of gel polish and always finish with a top coat to seal in your manicure.
It is important to note that you cannot refill gel polish by itself. You can only refill gel extension bases, such as builder gel, extender gel, or fix 'n' flash tips. Additionally, the time between refills may vary depending on your nail growth, but on average, it is recommended to refill or retouch gel nails every three to four weeks to maintain their appearance and structure.
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How to know when you need a refill
Knowing when to get a refill for your gel nails is important to prevent damage to your natural nails. On average, people tend to get their gel nails refilled every two to four weeks. However, this varies depending on your nail growth and how well you care for your nails at home.
You will know it is time to get a refill when the extended nails show the first signs of yielding. This could be when your natural nail is exposed at the cuticle, or when the gel has moved forward. You may also notice that your nails are catching on things like your hair when you wash it, or that they have grown far from the nail line.
If you wait too long between refills, you risk the "stress point" and the bead of the extended nail becoming excessively projected toward the tip of the nail. This can cause the seal of the work to crack or loosen, compromising the structure of the extension.
To prevent this, it is recommended that you remove around 80-90% of your gel manicure, prep your nails, and then fill in the grown-out part with a new manicure. This will help to prevent over-prepping your natural nail, which can cause your nails to feel weak and flimsy.
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The best products to use for refilling gel nails
Refilling gel nails is a great way to keep your nails strong and healthy while still looking great. The process involves removing the grown-out portion of your manicure, prepping your nails, and filling in the new portion with a fresh manicure. This prevents over-prepping your natural nail, which can lead to weak and damaged nails. Here are some of the best products to use for refilling gel nails:
Builder Gel
Builder gel is essential when refilling gel nails as it provides extra protection for your natural nails. It also helps to add length and strength to your nails. Look for a builder gel that is meant to be worn for extended periods and is HEMA-free to prevent any bacterial growth. Nail Thoughts tinted builder bases are a popular choice for this purpose.
Nail Files
When refilling gel nails, you will need to file down the existing gel polish to create a neat surface to work with. It is recommended to use a coarse file, such as the Mylee Half Moon Nail Files, to remove the shiny top layer and most of the base gel. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging your natural nail.
Dehydrator and Primer
Before applying the new gel, it is important to dehydrate and prime your nails. This will help with the bonding of the gel to your natural nail. The Mylee Nail Prep Dehydrator is a popular choice for this step, as it is quick and easy to use.
Gel Polish
After applying the builder gel and allowing it to cure, you can add your chosen gel polish colour. Mylee Gel Polishes offer a wide range of colours to choose from. Remember to cure each coat of gel polish and always finish with a top coat to seal in your manicure.
Cuticle Care
Taking care of your cuticles is an important step in the refilling process. Push back your cuticles and remove any dead skin with a cuticle pusher to prevent future lifting of the gel.
By using these products and following the proper techniques, you can successfully refill your gel nails and maintain their strength and health.
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The difference between refilling gel nails and acrylic nails
Gel nails and acrylic nails are two of the most popular salon nail services, but they have some key differences.
Gel nails are applied using a gel-based polish that is cured under a UV lamp. The resulting nails are shiny, glossy, and look natural. The gel polish is typically more flexible than acrylic and is less likely to cause damage to natural nails. However, it is important to note that UV lamps emit harmful UV rays, which can damage the skin on your hands and fingers. Gel nails are also typically more expensive than acrylic nails.
Acrylic nails, on the other hand, are made by mixing a liquid (monomer) and powder (polymer) to create a paste, which is then applied to the natural nails. This mixture hardens and forms a durable layer over the natural nails. Acrylic nails are known for their durability and strength and are resistant to chipping and breaking. They can be shaped and filed to create a variety of looks, from natural to more extravagant designs. However, they can also be harsh on natural nails and may cause damage if not applied or maintained correctly.
In terms of maintenance, both gel and acrylic nails require regular infills to camouflage nail regrowth. The time between appointments can vary, but generally, clients with natural nail gel manicures come in every two weeks, while some acrylic or gel extension clients can go up to three weeks before needing a fill.
The process of refilling gel nails involves filing down the existing gel polish to remove the shiny top layer and most of the base gel. This is followed by cuticle care and prep, and then a new layer of gel polish is applied. For acrylic nails, the process of refilling involves clipping off the ends of the nails, filing and buffing the tops of the nails to remove the nail polish, and then applying a new layer of the acrylic paste.
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Frequently asked questions
You'll know when your gel nails need to be refilled when the gels have moved forward, and your natural nail is exposed at the cuticle. Typically, people tend to refill their gel nails around every three weeks.
First, file down your existing gel polish to remove the shiny top layer and most of the base gel. Then, move on to cuticle care and prep. After that, apply a little more gel to the centre of your nail to add structure and support the length of your extension. Cure your nails under an LED or UV lamp, and then paint your nails with your chosen gel polish.
No, you cannot just refill the colour on your gel nails. If you want a new colour, you have to remove the existing gel polish and start the process again.
