Nail refill: what it is, how much it costs and how to do it
The nail refill is a fundamental treatment to prolong the reconstruction work done with the gel or with the acryl. As the word itself suggests, it is a useful filler to make the perfect manicure last for a few more weeks. on the merits and answer all the questions, watch the video below to understand how to remedy the chipped enamel: a simple magic trick is enough!
Nail refill: what it is and why to do it
The nail refill o retouching it is the necessary maintenance that those who do nail reconstruction need, but why is it so essential to know how to do it well?
In the weeks following the reconstruction with gel or acrylic, the natural nail continues to grow and the reconstructed part moves further and further away from the cuticle area. To better explain this mechanism we can think of hair regrowth that is often visible in the root zone: for the nails it is the same!
When the growth of the natural nail appears very evident and therefore unsightly, the reconstructed nails show the first signs of failure, it is time to do the retouching or refill. Generally this happens about 3-4 weeks after the reconstruction treatment.
It all depends on how much the nail grows and also on the daily care we take for our nails. The 3 or 4 weeks are generally recommended to avoid reaching the so-called "stress point", or when the crowning of the reconstructed nail is projected excessively towards the tip, unbalancing the whole balance of the reconstruction structure, and thus compromising the stability of the work in favor of splits and detachments.
Another reason why it is advantageous to do the nail refill, is to be found in the fact that it is a moment in which you can decide to change the shape, color and any designs created previously.
The word "refill" can be misleading, because if it is true that it is a filling, it must be considered that the previous gel is completely eliminated and a new treatment is carried out.
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The steps for the retouching of the manicure
- 1 - In this first step we proceed to observe the state of the nail to understand the general conditions; only afterwards we can proceed by filing the lateral parts with a straight file. Most likely you will notice that the nail has lost its shape, it will also be scratched or chipped due to normal use of the hands. At this stage it may be necessary to shorten the reconstructed nail until it reaches the desired length again. The nail technician will proceed with the help of a straight file or with the aid of a nail bur to facilitate the work.
- 2 - At this point we proceed with the removal of the old work. Here comes a first advantage linked to the nail refill, that is to be able to totally change shape, color and designs, distorting the style applied up to that moment. Correct manicure retouching takes more than 1 hour of work! The colored gel and the base will be gently removed with the bur, avoiding unnecessary pressure that would hurt the nail surface. All dust residues must be removed with a dusting brush.
- 3 - Now you can proceed with the new nail reconstruction starting from the preparation phase. The nail must be roughened with the special file, in order to prepare it to effectively receive the specific gel.
- 4 - The fourth step, on the other hand, requires degreasing the surface of the nail to eliminate any trace of impurities. In this phase it is good to use a pressed cotton swab soaked in nail cleanser before proceeding with the application of the primer.
- 5 - After applying the primer we will have to leave it to dry in the air for a few seconds, remembering to avoid contact with any other product.
- 6 - It will now be time to catalyze in UV or LED lamp. The catalyzing phase is delicate as to avoid creating a painful sensation of heat on the natural nail, it is always necessary to insert and extract the hand from the lamp at intervals of about 2 seconds.
- 7 - The penultimate step involves a massive use of the file to shape the nail and give it an appearance as natural as possible. The nail technician will work with a curved file on the crown of the gel, eliminating any excess product.
- 8 - After removing any residual dust created during the filing phase, the nail is degreased again with a nail cleaner to prepare it for the application of the chosen color gel. After the last steps in the LED lamp, the work will be finished.
How much does it cost to do a complete nail refill?
The refill is nothing more than the retouching of the nail regrowth, it requires half the work compared to a complete reconstructive treatment, therefore the specialized beauty centers offer it at a lower price than the classic nail reconstruction from scratch.
It is difficult to indicate an average price for this type of work, it all depends on the professionals we choose and also on the state of the nail: it is not excluded that the nail technician may decide not to proceed with the simple retouching but to redo the nail. I work all over again.
Timing is also decisive: the nail refill cannot be done beyond the third week from the initial reconstruction, therefore, once this time limit is exceeded, the manicurist may refuse to perform the refill, advising the client for a complete treatment.
Difference between refill and nail reconstruction
From how we have described it, it should be clear that the nail refill is a retouching carried out only on the regrowth of the nail which would otherwise be too visible near the cuticles. However, terms such as rebuild and refill often cause confusion, as they are very similar practices.
To avoid making a mistake, you can keep in mind that the reconstruction involves the treatment of the entire nail, modifying its natural shape and lengthening it.
The refill, on the other hand, is a simple retouch to fill the unsightly regrowth of the nail and is carried out about 20 days after the reconstruction, making it look like new, eliminating the sharp detachment and changing, if desired, color and designs.
