Hi there.

I have recently bought a new metal tool for removing cuticle prior to applying enhancements. (acrylic). In comparison to my old one it appears to be removing 50% more material from the nat nail.

My query is, I am unsure whether my old one was just totally blunt (5 years old) or could this new one be removing actual nail rather than just cuticle!
I do use very gently pressure and have asked client (sister and hubby as guinea pigs) if they feel it uncomfortable at all and they say no. If I keep scraping then eventually the amount of material does lessen so I am presuming that if it was nail coming off then it would never stop?

I am hoping that I have just found a geat tool that will eradicate any lifting problems.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks x

Good thread nail perfection.

I am totally with you on this one as I have recently trained in Ezflow and they too do a dry prep and remove cuticle with a double ended pro-pusher tool too. I feel like I am being way too cautious with this tool as I too am concerned that I am removing some of the nail cells and not just none living tissue.

How did you other guys that converted from a liquid prep procedure to a dry one?

I think if you have been using a tool for 5 years then it wouldn't be as effective as a new one. New tools are sharp and do need to be used with care as you would a new abrasive (file)

IMO dry prep lets me see instantly if i am being to harsh....a wet nail wouldn't show this.

It is a good thread, one of the best ways to see whats really going on is to use the tool on yourself for a while, rather than using on clients.

Some nail scrapers can be quite harsh (particulary the ones that are quite flat and are blade-like (if you know what i mean), they can tend to dig in and layer the nail if they are too sharp(like below).

I prefer to use a pusherer backerer shaped like the OPI pusher plus, or the one by Youngnails (like below).

I agree that I favour a dry cuticle prep since I was taught to use the cuticle remover tool by Calgel, after having tried various others. It is fab and really does a good job without damaging or scratching the natural nail. I also use it on myself and it works wonders on the tough cuticle build up on the toes as mine are often neglected.

I get so annoyed at college as we have to use cuticle remover with a pathetic cuticle blade which really does not do the job at all.

Thanks for all your replies.

I am now wondering if I could just do a dry prep on some clients (which would save time) and use cuticle remover on the ones I feel really need it.

I seem to be taking ages now to do my prep about 20 mins maybe? I am maybe over-prepping when it really isn't necessary. I am so keen to avoid lifting like the plague! I do use retention plus as well so it does give me a good bond anyway.

Thanks again

Personally I would say, don't worry about the timing for your prep being 20 mins. Rather allow for a good and thorough prep of 20 minutes than a rushed prep of 10 minutes.

A mistake I made with prepping was overspraying (saturating) the nails with sanitizer and nail cleansing products, thus making them wet. If you dust off the nails using a brush then gently rub each nail with sanitzer on a pad, then this should be adequate.

i'm so glad you said that ! i'v had a bit of a free edge lifting on my nails and i'm wondering if this is why, i used to use the calgel fabric type wipes but changed to cotton wool so i could get more calguard on the nail, just a quick question mrs clooney, i have a client that has strange lifting on some of her nails around the side walls and cuticle, it doesnt look like normal lifting the gel almost looks like elastic that has been overstreached (if that makes sence???)

I worry about whether I'm taking away natural nail when I'm doing a dry prep, as it certainly seems to shift a hell of a lot of gunk. I've done it both wet and dry and neither appears to be superior in terms of the finished result/lifting. I'm now doing the VTCT and I'm being told to do a wet prep again. I'm quietly having kittens at the amount of valauble time it's going to take up on assessment day. I'm also pondering on what to remove it with to best <and quickest> effect? I shall be using ezflow l&p, but am debating on citrus soak/scrubfresh? Any suggestions, please?

This could be product shrinkage ie. not getting it under the lamp in a timely fashion.

Also if you are applying the product too close to the sidewalls and therefor possibly touching them, this will also result in lifting in that area.

Free edge lifting can be as a result of not capping your free edge properly with all the layers. Again, if you are not getting your nails under the lamp in good time, then any capped free edge will shrink back IYKWIM. I too have had this problem, so get them into the lamp quickly for a freeze cure for about 8 seconds before continuing with the next nail. Then do a final cure at the end.

I have found nothing better for removing oil from the nail surface then scrub fresh.
Wet or dry cuticle remover, then get right into the side walls with that scrub fresh, I give it a good 5 seconds per finger and its amazing the amount of muck it lifts of the surface.

May I ask, is it okay to use a different brand product eg.scrub fresh if using a different gel, l&p to a Creative one. Would I be able to use scrub fresh with Calgel gels?

Don't see why not, I've been using scrub fresh with NSI attraction for the last year.

Thanks hun. I may be purchasing some of that at Excel .

Thanks, Susie, I'm trying to remember if I was told you had to keep the scrubfresh away from any current product on the nail, but can't quite remember for sure?