Gel - infill or soak off?
- Thread starter tamh
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I use a non soak off gel so always infill...but i have used Bio and found this strange to try and infill as it doesn't tend to file down very well...its kind of rubbery....so soaking off and re-doing is often the way.
Gina Silvestro
Well-Known Member
Like Angie said, the soak off do not file as well a the classic gels because they are more rubbery. If I do a gel manicure (gel color on the nail with no overlay) I usually file off the bulk and wrap in cotton/foil method 1 nail at a time. By the time you finish with the last nail the first one is soaked off. This takes only 15 minutes, it can often take longer than that to just file/prep for a fill. If there is a NNO overlay using soak off gel I will fill it once or twice, then it needs to be removed and reapplied. The soak off gels are porous and can discolor after a while. They are wonderful for NNO's because you can keep them nice and thin and natural looking with no chipping. Most people do better with the classic buff off gels if they wear them longer or have weak nails that need more strength.
geeg
Judge Gigi-Honorary Geek
I always rebalance and do not use a soak off gel. I don't like the principal of having to soak off at every appointment ... this cannot be good for the skin or nails to do it so frequently.
In any case, I never have the need to soak off with gel, it files off so easily and quickly if I need to do a repair, that the soak off option rarely arises .. If it did, I would do exactly as Gina describes.
In any case, I never have the need to soak off with gel, it files off so easily and quickly if I need to do a repair, that the soak off option rarely arises .. If it did, I would do exactly as Gina describes.
With calgel i usually only do one infill, otherwise they start to look too thick.
So most people will go around 7 weeks between soak offs.
I do mine with foil and place a heated wheatbag on top.This makes the remover act quicker and also stops the client moving her hands around and loosening the wraps.Before you wrap, buff the surface of the gel with a file and you can put cuticle oil around nail to prevent dryness
Let the remover do its job for about 15 mins and the calgel will fall away in a few thin rubbery pieces.
Providing you do not prise any off the gel away from the nails or scrape at the natural nail there will be no damage to the natural nail at all.
So most people will go around 7 weeks between soak offs.
I do mine with foil and place a heated wheatbag on top.This makes the remover act quicker and also stops the client moving her hands around and loosening the wraps.Before you wrap, buff the surface of the gel with a file and you can put cuticle oil around nail to prevent dryness
Let the remover do its job for about 15 mins and the calgel will fall away in a few thin rubbery pieces.
Providing you do not prise any off the gel away from the nails or scrape at the natural nail there will be no damage to the natural nail at all.
Debbies Gellies
Well-Known Member
I use Calgel, BioS (soak off) and Brisa (buff off) they all have good points and bad points.
The requirements of the clients nails and life style tells me which gel is best.
If I use a soak off gel. I infill some ladies and soak others and it demands on the condition of the gel and whether a different colour is needed etc.
Buffing down Calgel is easy and I find it easier than soaking off. I might soak off one finger and buff the rest if its needed.
There is less work involved with Calgel infils than with Brisa but the needs of the nail and client are what make my decision.
The requirements of the clients nails and life style tells me which gel is best.
If I use a soak off gel. I infill some ladies and soak others and it demands on the condition of the gel and whether a different colour is needed etc.
Buffing down Calgel is easy and I find it easier than soaking off. I might soak off one finger and buff the rest if its needed.
There is less work involved with Calgel infils than with Brisa but the needs of the nail and client are what make my decision.
debi
Active Member
i agree with what Geeg has said.... i dont soak i rebalance.. its far better 4 nails than soaking :hug: xx
Beautiful82
Member
Beautiful82
Member
Hi As you use the gel systems I am most interested in, which would you say is the best for natural nail overlays?? Which lasts the best. Thanks
geeg
Judge Gigi-Honorary Geek
I have used and trained with several supposedly high end gels including IBD, OPI LCN and the one that out shone all the rest for colour clarity, longevity, strength and durability on natural nails or for sculpting on forms or tips was And is CND Brisa Gels ... Hypoallergenic and low heat emmision etc etc .. can't say enough about it.
the gel that has for the last 5 years been voted the top performing gel by nail technicians in USA Nails Magazine. There is a reason for that .... because it is a fab gel system.
I think the main problem newbies seems to misunderstand is that there are two types of gels.
A soak off gel is very different from a file off gel and should not be compared in anyway.
Many of us who use gels exclusively actually uses both soft gel ( soak off ) and hard gel ( buff off). Which one to use on which client depends on our knowledge of the products so we can advice them according to their own individual needs.
A soak off gel is very different from a file off gel and should not be compared in anyway.
Many of us who use gels exclusively actually uses both soft gel ( soak off ) and hard gel ( buff off). Which one to use on which client depends on our knowledge of the products so we can advice them according to their own individual needs.
Thanks for all the input on this thread. 
The reason why I asked is that I was taught (by Bio Sculpture Gel) to infill once i.e. after about 3 weeks then on the next visit say about week 6 to then soak off. But obviously as some have mentioned above it depends on the individual client, if they want to change colour etc. But I am always surprised when talking to new clients and a lot of them have told me that their previous Bio Gel Techs told them this had to be soaked off and re applied every time, not infilled? I suppose it must be for the reason that 'Bagpuss' mentioned - i.e. those techs must have found the Bio Gel too rubbery to file or too thick. I suppose it makes sense that the file off gel is easier to file while the soak off is easier soaked! :green: But thought it good to get more opinions. Thanks Girls!
The reason why I asked is that I was taught (by Bio Sculpture Gel) to infill once i.e. after about 3 weeks then on the next visit say about week 6 to then soak off. But obviously as some have mentioned above it depends on the individual client, if they want to change colour etc. But I am always surprised when talking to new clients and a lot of them have told me that their previous Bio Gel Techs told them this had to be soaked off and re applied every time, not infilled? I suppose it must be for the reason that 'Bagpuss' mentioned - i.e. those techs must have found the Bio Gel too rubbery to file or too thick. I suppose it makes sense that the file off gel is easier to file while the soak off is easier soaked! :green: But thought it good to get more opinions. Thanks Girls!
*sarah*
Pmu Geek
I use calgel, and unless client wants a lighter colour or have completely wrecked them:irked:lol, I infill and rebalance with no problems what so ever. hth xx
