Isla Bennett
Gel fill nails are a popular alternative to acrylic nails. Instead of removing the gel and starting the process over again, a gel fill involves removing the grown-out portion of the manicure, filing down the nail, and filling in the exposed part with a new manicure. This process can be done at home or in a salon and is a great way to save time and money. It is important to use the right tools and products, such as builder gel, to protect the natural nails and ensure the gel fill lasts.
Characteristics and Values of Gel Fill Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | There is no one "definition" for a fill. |
| Purpose | Maintenance of nail extensions, including colour or design changes. |
| Frequency | Every 2-3 weeks. |
| Process | Colour removal, shortening nail length, filing down the apex, nail prep, and backfilling the builder gel where there was growth. |
| Benefits | Cost-effective, time-saving, protective layer for natural nails, prevents over-prepping of natural nails |
| Products | Builder gel, Magix Extender Gel, Fix 'N' Flash Tips, Nail Cleaner, Mylee Buffer Sanding Block, Lint-Free Nail Wipe, Mylee Prep & Wipe. |
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What You'll Learn
Filling gel nails at home
Gel nails are a type of manicure that uses a gel-based polish and requires curing under a UV or LED lamp. Filling gel nails, also known as infilling or retouching, is the process of maintaining gel nail extensions by addressing the gap between the extended part and the cuticles caused by natural nail growth. This involves removing the grown-out portion of the manicure, preparing the nails, and filling in the gap with a new manicure.
Step 1: File Down Existing Gel Polish
Use a nail file to remove the shiny top layer and most of the base gel, aiming for around 80-90% removal. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging your natural nails or surrounding skin. This step ensures a neat surface to work with.
Step 2: Cuticle Care and Prep
After a few weeks, your cuticles will likely have grown back, leading to a messy appearance and causing the polish to lift and peel. Use a cuticle pusher to gently push back the skin, being firm but not too harsh. This step is crucial to prevent future lifting.
Step 3: Buffing
Buff your nails to create a rough texture, which will provide better adhesion for the gel polish. Use a buffer block with back-and-forth motions, being careful not to over-buff your natural nails to avoid damage or thinning.
Step 4: Dehydrate Nail Surface
Dehydrate your nails using a nail prep dehydrator or a similar product. This step prepares the nail surface for the next steps.
Step 5: Apply a Thin Layer of Gel
Depending on your gel system, you may need to apply a base gel first and then a builder gel. Start at the cuticle area, carefully placing the gel and dragging it up to the nail tip. Then, add more gel by floating it over the entire nail to create a smooth finish and a nice curve.
Step 6: Cure Under a UV or LED Lamp
Follow the instructions on your gel product for curing time. Typically, this involves curing for a specified duration under a UV or LED lamp.
Step 7: Finalize and Clean
Once cured, wipe your nails with acetone to remove any sticky residue. Examine your nails and gently file any bumps or imperfections. Apply a top coat if desired, cure it, and clean your nails.
Repeat these steps for each nail, and you'll have a fresh set of gel nails! Remember, infilling your gel nails at home may take some practice, but with time, you'll be able to achieve salon-worthy results.
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Removing gel nails
- Cutting 10 squares of aluminum foil, big enough to wrap around each fingertip.
- Soaking cotton balls or cotton strips in acetone.
- Applying petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect from the acetone.
- Placing the acetone-soaked cotton on top of each nail, then wrapping the nail with the aluminum foil.
- Leaving the foil on for 10 minutes, then removing it.
- Gently rubbing the nail with a warm, wet washcloth to remove any remaining polish.
- Washing hands with gentle soap and water to remove the acetone.
Another method for removing gel nails is to use a gel nail polish remover, which can be simpler and less damaging to the nails. This method involves:
- Using a coarse nail file to remove the top coat of the gel polish, until it is no longer shiny and smooth.
- Applying a thick layer of gel polish remover to the nails, being careful not to get it on the surrounding skin.
- Waiting 5 minutes for the remover to soak into the gel, causing it to peel, crack, or bubble.
- Using a metal cuticle pusher or orangewood stick to gently push off the gel polish.
- Cleaning the nails with a nail buffer to remove any remaining residue.
It is important to note that gel nails should not be forcefully picked or scraped off, as this can damage the nails. Additionally, when filing down the gel polish, care should be taken not to file the surface of the nail plate, as this can also cause damage.
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Retouching gel nails
The first step in retouching gel nails is to remove the gel nail polish. This can be done using a nail drill or a nail file, being sure to remove around 80-90% of the gel. It is important to be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the natural nail. Once the gel is removed, the next step is to dust the nails and hands to remove any residual dust created during the filing process. This can be done using a fan nail art brush or a nail cleaning brush.
After the nails are dusted, the next step is to degrease the nails using a nail cleaner to prepare them for the new gel nail colour. It is important to remove any traces of impurities and moisture during this step. The nail surface can then be roughened with a stone nail file to help the new gel adhere better. A thin layer of primer or adhesion promoter can also be applied to the nails and allowed to air dry.
Before applying the new gel nail colour, it is important to buff the nails to create a rough surface for the gel to grip onto. This can be done using a buffer sanding block in back-and-forth motions. Again, it is important not to over-buff the natural nails to avoid damage or thinning. Any dust created during the buffing process can be removed with a lint-free nail wipe, and the nail plate can be wiped down with a prep solution to remove any remaining dust, dirt, or oils.
Finally, the new gel nail colour can be applied. It is important to use a gel nail polish that is meant to be worn for extended periods and to protect the natural nails, such as a builder gel. The gel nail polish can be cured with a UV lamp, and the nails can be shaped and polished as desired.
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The importance of nail prep
Gel fill nails are a great way to save time and money and can be done at home or in a salon. The process involves removing the grown-out portion of your manicure, prepping your nails, and filling in the grown-out part with a new manicure. This prevents over-prepping your natural nail bed, which can cause weakness and damage.
Nail prep typically involves several steps, including removing any existing nail polish, cleaning the nails, shaping and filing the nails to the desired length and shape, and cuticle care. It is important to have the right tools and products on hand, such as nail polish remover, a high-quality nail file, a nail buffer, a cuticle pusher, and a nail cleaner.
One important aspect of nail prep is buffing the nails. Buffing creates a rough surface for the gel polish to grip onto, improving adhesion to the nail plate. However, it is crucial not to over-buff the natural nails, as this can lead to damage or thinning of the nail plate.
Additionally, cuticle care is an often-neglected but essential part of nail prep. Taking care of your cuticles helps your manicure stay on more firmly and provides better access to the entire nail bed. It is recommended to use a cuticle pusher to gently push back the cuticles and remove any dead skin cells gently.
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Builder gel
Gel fill nails are a great way to save time and money, as they can be done at home and do not require fully removing the previous gel manicure. Filling your nails involves removing the grown-out portion of your manicure (about 80-90%), prepping your nails, and filling in the grown-out part with a new manicure. This prevents over-prepping your natural nail, which can lead to weak, flimsy, and painful nails.
The builder gel can then be cleaned and filed to achieve the desired shape and even out any thick areas. Finally, a colour or top coat can be applied to complete the manicure.
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Frequently asked questions
Gel fill nails are a way to redo your gel nails without fully removing the gel. This is also known as a refill or retouching.
You'll know when your gel nails need to be filled when the gels have moved forward, and your natural nail is exposed at the cuticle.
It is recommended to get a gel fill every 2-3 weeks.
The process of filling gel nails involves removing the grown-out portion of the manicure (about 80-90%), prepping your nails, and filling in the grown-out part with a new manicure.
It is important to use a gel meant to stay on your nails for extended periods. Builder gel is commonly used for gel fills as it provides extra protection for your natural nails.
