How to Refill Artworks Gel

Toe dividers are useful if refilling toe gels.

Artworks gel is a rather new manicure and pedicure technique, said to be healthier for nails than other manicure products. The gel is applied to the nails using brushes, then cured under ultraviolet lights. When the nail grows, however, it is necessary for a technician or a do-it-yourself home technician to refill the nails as a form of upkeep.

Things You'll Need

• Soap and water
• Artworks gel kit
• Nail Clippers
• File
• Drill file
• Ultraviolet lights

Instructions

1. Remove the artwork on the gel nails with nail polish remover and cotton balls. Push back the cuticles of the hand and wash the hands clean. Since the nails grew longer than when the gel was first applied, they need to be shortened. Clip the nails to just a fraction longer than you want them in the end.

2. Move the drill along the top of the gel nails. Remove all of the gel's shine so the new gel sticks to the old. Keep drilling until the gel is thin; this prevents the layers of gel added during each filling from piling up to high.

3. Shape the nail using a drill or a hand file. Popular shapes are square, rounded and a mixture of square and rounded tips. File the natural nail that grew beneath the gel nails, using a hand file.

4. Dust off the nails and wash the hands to remove excess dust. Apply the gel primer to the nails as the primer directs; allow the primer to sit beneath ultraviolet lights to dry. Add the gel to the nails. First, add only a thin layer and let the layer dry in the ultraviolet light. Add a second thick layer of gel and shape it as you desire. Let this dry under the ultraviolet light. Wash and dry hands and reapply nail artwork.

References

• Nailsplash: STEP-BY-STEP GEL NAIL LESSONS
• Creating Perfect Nails: Gel Nails