If you are a nail professional, you’ve seen stressed clients when their gel nails grow out. A grown-out gel enhancement isn’t the prettiest thing to look at, especially if you are addicted to that “fresh out of the salon” feeling. Luckily, a gel nail fill can be quick and simple once you get the hang of it. Knowing the steps to execute a professional-grade fill will get you halfway there; practice will make perfect and help you increase your speed so that fills are convenient and painless. Before long, you’ll be filling gel nails with expert speed and gorgeous results.
When to Do a Gel Nail Fill
A gel nail fill is done when the natural nail has started to “grow out” the gel coat and create a gap between the cuticle and the enhancement. This can take as little as two weeks, or longer, depending on how comfortable you are with new growth. It can be partially a cosmetic decision if the nail is not damaged, but the longer the nails grow before filling them, them more out of balance they will become and more prone to breakage.
Step-By-Step Instructions on Gel Nail Fills
- Push the cuticle back gently.
- Assess if there is any lifting of the gel. If there is lifting, the separated product must be filed off prior to prepping the rest of the nail. If not, remove shine from the exposed natural nail before moving on to the rest of the nail surface with the use of an e-file and medium ending band. It is such a small space between the gel and the natural nail that using a hand file is bulky and unwieldy. The speed of the e-file should be extremely gentle, to the point that the bit can lightly come in contact with the cuticle.
- Remove shine from approximately ¾ of the gel nail. The filler gel will be only smoothed over that much, so that is all that will be necessary to file.
- Clean the nail using Swipe liquid.
- Apply two coats of Protein Bond to the exposed natural nail. Getting it on the surface of the gel is fine, so no worries.
- Gather a small bead of base gel. Push it into the cuticle area and over the natural nail. Pull it all the way over to where you stopped filing. Repeat on all nails, and set for 60 seconds.
- Use your hard gel to fill the back. Pillow the bead to the cuticle area. Make sure that you keep contact with the surface, keeping the gel in front of the brush. Lightly pull and fill the nail. Repeat for all nails, curing for 60 seconds.
- Wipe the nails with Swipe liquid to remove the tacky layer.
- File nails smooth and into shape with the e-file followed by a hand file. Cleanse the nails with Swipe.
- Apply Protein Bond to keep the top gels from chipping.
- Apply finish gel or your choice of gel polish and cure.
Expert Tips on Increasing the Longevity of Your Gel Nail Enhancements
- There’s a simple process to making gel nails last a long time. First, remove the shine from the surface of the nail to give the gel something on which to adhere. Then, use Swipe liquid to cleanse the nail thoroughly. Finally, two coats of Protein Bond will ensure that your clients’ nails are ready to take a gel nail fill that will last weeks.
- If they know how to touch up gel nails, clients can fix minor emergencies at home without too much hassle. Suggest that they keep a nail file and a matching bottle of nail polish handy—in their purse, for instance. If there is any actual damage to the nail, they should return to the salon as soon as possible for professional evaluation and repair.
- Gel nail care tips like avoiding water when possible (wear gloves!) and avoiding strenuous activities with their hands will also help make sure that your clients’ enhancements can go the distance.
Conclusion
There’s no need to stress when clients come back sooner than expected for a gel fill. These can be quick and painless services once you have your technique down and have practiced to the point that your movements are efficient and effective.