Noah Sinclair
Gel manicures are a great way to keep your nails looking good for weeks, but they can be expensive and time-consuming to maintain. Luckily, it is possible to refill your gel nails at home. The process involves filing down the existing gel polish, prepping your cuticles, buffing your nails, and then applying a new layer of gel. It's important to do this correctly to avoid damaging your natural nails and to ensure that your manicure looks neat and lasts a long time.
How to Refill Gel Nails at Home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prepping Nails | Remove dead skin and clean cuticles |
| Remove any lifting of the gel | |
| Filing Nails | Use a coarse file (180 grit) to remove the shine from the gel |
| Electric nail file can be used | |
| File only the gel and not the natural nail | |
| Remove the top coat and some of the bulk | |
| Use a softer file to gently go over the natural nail | |
| Remove any product that is lifting | |
| Ensure a seamless transition from natural nail to gel | |
| Buffing Nails | Buffing is important for better adhesion of the gel to the nail plate |
| Use a buffer sanding block with back-and-forth motions to create a rough texture | |
| Do not over-buff the natural nails to avoid damage or thinning | |
| Dehydrating and Priming | Dehydrate the nail surface and apply a primer for better bonding of the gel |
| Applying Gel | Depending on the gel system, apply a base gel and then a builder gel |
| Place the majority of the product towards the base of the nail and very little at the free edge | |
| Drag the gel up to the tip of the nail and add more gel in the middle for a nice curve |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping your nails
Firstly, check for any lifting of the gel. Lifting often occurs where the gel meets the new natural nail, right at the bottom of the nail. Use a soft file to gently go over your natural nail and remove any lifting. It is important to be intentional with your filing. Know exactly what you are filing and where, to avoid damaging your natural nail.
Next, take care of your cuticles. After a few weeks, your cuticles will likely have grown back, which can cause the polish to lift and peel. Clean your cuticles and remove any dead skin. You can also use a stiff brush with alcohol to clean any excess dust from your nails.
After addressing your cuticles, it is time to buff your nails. Buffing creates a rough surface, giving the gel better adhesion to the nail plate. Use a buffer block and move it back and forth to create a rough texture. Be careful not to over-buff your natural nails, as this can damage or thin your nail plate. You only need to create a slightly rough surface.
Once you have finished buffing, wipe down your nails with a lint-free wipe to remove any dust, dirt, and oils. Then, use a product to dehydrate your nail surface, followed by a primer, to further enhance the bonding of the gel to your natural nail.
Now your nails are prepped and ready for the infill! Remember, it is crucial to prep your nails correctly to achieve a seamless and long-lasting gel refill.
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Filing down existing gel polish
When refilling gel nails at home, the first step is to file down the existing gel polish. This is done to remove the shiny top layer of polish and most of the base gel, creating a neat surface to work with for the new gel application. It is recommended to use a 100-grit nail file or a coarse file (180-grit) for this purpose, and one can use an electric nail file or a hand file. It is important to be intentional and careful during this process to avoid filing through the base coat onto the natural nail. The goal is to remove around 90% of the gel polish, including the top coat and some of the bulk.
During the filing process, use a back-and-forth motion, applying enough pressure to remove the gel but being cautious not to damage the natural nail or the surrounding skin. It is crucial to only file the gel and not the natural nail. Once the majority of the gel has been removed, you can transition to a softer file to gently go over your natural nail and remove any remaining product or gel that is lifting. This lifting often occurs at the bottom of the nail where the gel meets the new natural nail. Ensure that there is a seamless transition from the natural nail to the remaining gel.
After filing, it is important to prepare your cuticles by cleaning them and removing any dead skin. This step is crucial to ensure that your gel nails have a neat appearance and to prevent the polish from lifting and peeling. Once the cuticles are prepped, you can move on to buffing your nails, which helps create a rough surface for better adhesion of the new gel application. Use a buffer sanding block with back-and-forth motions, being careful not to over-buff your natural nails to avoid damage or thinning.
Some people prefer to soak off the gel polish instead of filing it down, especially if they have thin and brittle natural nails. It is important to note that gel nail polish cannot be infilled on its own; it needs to be removed completely before applying a new layer of polish. However, gel extension bases, such as builder gel, can be infilled. Additionally, it is crucial to correctly prep your nails before applying the gel polish to avoid issues with lifting.
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Cuticle care
During the Gel Nail Refill Process:
Before starting the gel application, ensure your cuticles are clean and any dead skin around the cuticles is removed. This will help the gel adhere better to your nails and create a smoother appearance. It is important to note that you should never let your manicurist push or cut your cuticles, as this can lead to inflammation and infection.
After the Gel Nail Refill:
- Keep Nails Dry and Clean: It is important to keep your nails and cuticles dry and clean. Moisture and dirt can weaken the gel manicure, leading to potential chipping and lifting. Avoid prolonged exposure to water, and always wear gloves when doing chores or handling harsh chemicals to protect your nails and cuticles.
- Moisturize Cuticles: Regularly moisturize your cuticles and the surrounding skin. This will help prevent brittleness and keep your cuticles healthy. You can use cuticle oil, followed by a hand cream or lotion. Massage the oil into your cuticles for about a minute, and avoid washing your hands immediately afterward to allow for absorption.
- Avoid Using Nails as Tools: Be gentle with your nails and avoid using them as tools to open cans, pry things open, or remove staples. This can cause damage to the nail bed and the surrounding areas, including the cuticle.
- Protect from UV Radiation: If your gel nail polish requires UV light to seal the polish, remember to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before the procedure. This will help protect your skin and cuticles from the ultraviolet radiation used during the curing process.
- Take Breaks Between Manicures: Give your nails a break between gel applications. Back-to-back applications can stress your nails. Try to go without nail polish for one to two weeks or longer to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate.
By following these cuticle care tips, you can maintain the health of your cuticles and nails while enjoying the longevity and shine of your gel nail refill.
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Applying the gel
When applying the gel, the first step is to prep your nails. Make sure there is no lifting of the gel, your cuticles are clean, and any dead skin is removed. Once your nails are prepped, you can start with the gel application.
The next step is to dehydrate your nail surface and apply a primer. This will help with the bonding of your gel to the natural nail. Depending on your gel system, you may need to apply a base gel first and then a builder gel. Alternatively, you can put the builder gel straight on your natural nail.
Starting at the cuticle area, place the majority of the product towards the base of the nail and almost nothing at the free edge. You want to keep the free edge thin and maintain the nail's natural structure. Drag the gel up to the tip of your nail. Once the whole nail is covered, add some more gel to the middle of your nail and let it float. This will give a nice curve to the nail and help with the structure.
Do this to all of your other nails, being careful not to over-apply the gel. You want to create a seamless blend between the old product and the new gel, so there shouldn't be any issues when applying the new base. It should look seamless and natural.
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Buffing and finishing
Buffing is a crucial step in the gel polish application process. It gives the gel better adhesion to the nail plate, so your manicure will last longer. To begin buffing, use a buffer block and move it back and forth to create a rough texture on the nail. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can damage or thin your nail plate. You only need to create a slightly rough surface. Once you've finished buffing, use a lint-free wipe to remove any dust. Then, wipe down the nail plate with a product like Mylee Prep & Wipe to remove any remaining dust, dirt, and oils.
After buffing, the next step is to dehydrate your nail surface. This helps with the bonding of your gel to the natural nail. Take your dehydrator and apply it to the natural part of your nail, then do the same with the primer.
Now you're ready to apply your 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 your gel on the nail and drag it up to the tip. Once the whole nail is covered, add some more gel to the middle of the nail and let it float. This will create a nice curve and help with the structure. Do this for all your nails, except for your thumb, which may not fit in your LED lamp.
Finally, cure your nails under an LED lamp. Follow the instructions for your specific gel and lamp, as curing times may vary. Once your nails are cured, you're done! Your gel mani should now look clean and last for another three weeks or so before needing another infill or removal.
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Frequently asked questions
First, prep your nails by removing any dead skin and cleaning your cuticles. Then, use a coarse file to remove the shine from the gel. You can use an electric nail file for this. File down your existing gel polish, removing around 90% of the gel. Be careful not to buff your natural nails as you could end up damaging them. Once you've removed the colour, use a sanding band or hand file to smooth out any bumps.
After filing, you'll need to buff your nails. This gives the gel better adhesion to the nail plate. Use a buffer sanding block and create a rough texture with back-and-forth motions. Once you've finished buffing, use a lint-free nail wipe to remove any dust.
The next step is to dehydrate your nail surface and apply a primer. This will help with the bonding of your gel to the natural nail.
Starting at the cuticle area, place your gel carefully on the nail and drag it up to the tip. Once the whole nail is covered, add some more gel to the middle of the nail and let it float. This will give a nice curve to the nail. Do this for all your nails.
