Can I file the capped free edge of Gel Nails?

[MLNails]

Hi everyone,
I have only just started what I'm hoping will be a long love affair with Nails! At college we only touched on Gel nails but it definately got my attention. I am using IBD and have been practicing on my own nails. I have two questions that I am hoping you can help me with...........here goes
1.Once I have capped the free edge and cured it, can I file it? Does this render the tip prone to lifting?

2. Once I had finished a french application I noticed what looks like shadows in the white? :irked:

Hope you can help.
Thanks guys
MLNails

 

[loubylou]

Hi hun , i use creative but will try to help you out as it is very quiet on here on a weekend,
When you cap a free edge you need to get it as smooth as you possibly can, sculpt with your brush not your file, you can very lightly file it but the reason you cap in the first place is to prevent the product lifting away from the free edge so it needs to be left in place.
As for your shadows in the white, this usually happens when you dont apply your white in one go, how did you apply it hun

 

[beautynails]

You need to be careful not to file away where you have capped or it will lift.

I used to use IBD and found the white builder very thick & difficult to work with. Try to get it even without playing with it to much & make sure your pink butts upto but not over your white.

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Hi everyone,
1.Once I have capped the free edge and cured it, can I file it? Does this render the tip prone to lifting?

2. Once I had finished a french application I noticed what looks like shadows in the white? :irked:

Hope you can help.
Thanks guys
MLNails

If filing has to be done, then file under the free edge as opposed to against it (at a 90 deg angle) if this make sense. Difficult to explain in writing, , lol.

As I have learned over the past couple of years, it is better to sculpt and shape with your brush rather than your file. Filing the free edge won't directly cause the tip to lift (assuming you are talking about acrylic tips) but it can lead directly to product lifting at the free edge, which in time will no longer provide stability for the tip.

Try to cap as neatly and beautifully as possible with your brush. This way you won't need to file the free edge.

 

[MLNails]

Thanks so much for your wonderful help. I only stumbled across this website and I'm so glad I did! Your advice has helped me enormously.

Thanks so much
:lol:xxx

 

[MINKUS]

if its a file off gel then yes you should be able to file it no probs.

shadows on the white....try 2 thin coats not one thick one..ie one thin one cure then another cure dont play with the white's too much this can make it patchy too! Apply it...let it settle....lock cure each nail for 10 seconds or so so the gel doesnt move

hth

amb x

 

[Blossey]

if its a file off gel then yes you should be able to file it no probs.

I have to disaggree. No gel should be filed after curing. If you file, you will break the gel seal! it's as simple as that. File of gel or not
The only exception to this is of course if you are re-balancing and you intend to re-apply the gel

 

[MINKUS]

I have to disaggree. No gel should be filed after curing. If you file, you will break the gel seal! it's as simple as that. File of gel or not
The only exception to this is of course if you are re-balancing and you intend to re-apply the gel

I can only speak from my own experience !

A SOAK off gel if you file the free edge yes it will break the seal and the edge will peel up and back.....and then off.

A file off gel i have never had a problem with filing the free edge, my own nails get way too long and sometimes i dont have the time to do anything but just take down the free edge until i can infill them. Never had a problem.

JMHO of course!

Amb x