Step-by-step: Refilling
CARD ABOUT FULFILLMENT
Top-ups are necessary when using strengthening or lengthening products. As the natural nails grow, the apex and the correctly constructed shape will shift. This creates an imbalance in the nail's strength points, which leads to inappropriate stress on the natural nail. In a filling, the old apex is moved back to the nail's new stress point, just as the lower arches are filed and any lifts are removed. So care is taken to recreate the adhesion, strength points and balance of the nail. This is also why some call a top-up balancing or rebalancing.
In the filling process, approx. 50-80% of the product distributed over the entire surface of the nail. In addition, you remove all product that lifts - i.e. product that no longer adheres to the natural nail. The advantage of a top-up rather than removal is that you never file the natural nail or apply undue influence to it. This is of course very good in terms of protecting the nail, giving it peace and avoiding nail damage.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FILLING
1) Reduce the thickness of the old product
Start by reducing the thickness of the nail by removing 50-80% of all product. This can e.g. done with the 100 side of a 100/180 grit file or an electric nail file . If you use an electric nail file , you can use a coarse red (fine) or blue (medium) bit. Alternatively, a sand roller on grit 100 or 180 .
2) Remove any product that has a lift
It is important that you also remove all product that has been lifted from the nail (i.e. product that no longer adheres to the surface of the nail). The reason is that when a nail product does not adhere properly to the nail, a small cavity can appear between the nail and the product, which creates optimal conditions for bacterial growth. In addition, it creates an imbalance in the nail's strength points, which can cause damage to the nail and poor durability.
You remove a lifted product by filing it all the way down (without hitting the natural nail). This can e.g. done with a 320 grit nail file or a 320 grit sanding roller on an electric nail file .
3) Perform an effective prep
See the correct procedure in the step-by-step guide for prep on page 44 of the Theory Book or see our guide to the perfect PREP .
4) Top up
The filling of the nail is done in the same way as when using either Builder Gel or Polygel as reinforcement. Therefore, go to the relevant step-by-step guide for the selected product.
Filling up the Builder Gel can, for example, follow from step 3 on page 48 of the Theory Book , or see our guide on filling up Builder Gel .
Filling up Polygel can e.g. be followed from step 3 on page 60 in the Theory Book , or see our guide on filling Polygel .
Filling up the Rubber Base can e.g. follow in our blog post and video guide on Rubber Base application right here.
