Removal of nail enhancements

[Lynne Baker]

Hello chaps!
I've had a call from a lady who's had gel enhancements for the last wee while and wants them off so that she can get her natural nails back into top condition. Now, I don't do nail enhancements and so have no idea what to do to remove them, and whether I'm even competent and covered to do this!
I guess I could ask her to go to a nail tech to have them removed, but it might be an idea for me to learn what to do so that I can offer this as a service. I have no intention of offering nail enhancements though - just removing them!
Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[HeatherDavis]

Well, unless she has a "soak off" gel on her nails, you will have to file them off. And you will need to be quite careful, and not get carried away as you get close to her natural nail, changing to a much higher grit for the finish.

 

[Lynne Baker]

How would I know if they're a soak off gel though?
(thanks for the reply!)

 

[Zo Zo]

The client may actually know herself if they're soak off. For instance, if they're Bio Sculpture, she may well know.

One thing to be aware of, and I'm not saying this is the case, it is just something to consider... some nss do l&p and pass them off as gel. Seriously.

I would ask her where she got them done and ring and ask them which system they use. But if it turns out to be nss, take it with a pinch of salt.

 

[moosey]

i don't want t sound funny but if you are not qualified in nails and you do have to file them off you could really hurt the client as you don't really know what you are doing or how to file properly. I would reccomend hergo to a salon , its not worth the risk for you x

 

[~Emmsybabes~]

I agree,
I wouldn't recommend that you try to remove the enhancements at all...

There is sometimes a fine line between that last little bit of acrylic and the natural nail..
My friend once thought that a "bubble type" patch on the nail during removal was lifted acrylic, she filed and with one sweep too
many the natural nail was bleeding,
It turned out that the client had banged that nail and an air pocket had developed between the natural nail and the nail bed, it was this my friend filed off

I am unsure as to whether you can do just a removal course...I haven't heard of it...I am sure someone will come along and let you know soon though babe

 

[mdskora]

I would agree with what has been said above.. it sounds easy to file the product off but filing the wrong way causes heat and pain for the client... call the salon where she had her nails done and see if it is a soak off gel.. maybe then you could buy the correct soak off product.. (which you prob will never use again) so there is a cost there too..
it is a hard call becuase you could send her else where to have them removed and then she may like the salon and choose to stay there for her natural nail care....

I am sure more of the other geeks will have some advise for you

 

[Lynne Baker]

I too agree that the last thing I want to do is hurt my client!
The idea of filing off product scares the bejeezus out of me, and I would rather lose the client to a qualified nail tech than run the risk of causing pain or injury. If it were a soak off product I would be less nervous, but only marginally so!
Thanks for the replies!

 

[geeg]

Send her to a nail professional.

This is not a service you should be performing IMO ... at least not until you have learned how to do it competently. You could make yourself look very foolish in front of your client and unprofessional. Far better to send her to a pro in this area and I'm sure she will appreciate your honesty.

Removal is a messy business at the best of times and a potentially hazardous one at others.