Here's a reply I wrote at the beginning of last year, ...
When I do a full removal I do this:
Cut down any tips / nails to a sensible length as they won't survive long once the overlay is off - I always ask the clients permision though if it's her natural nail I'm cutting down, it's just polite to do so! I clip it off because what is the point of fiiling something down that you will clip anyway? It just saves time.
I always advise the client that as there is a lot of filing involved that they must let me know if they start to get a friction heat, if the file goes anywhere near their skin, or if it feels like I am filing their actual nail (actually I don't say the last one anymore, but it used to help me in the early days). But don't panic the client, I just say I rarely do this, but some people can be very sensitive .... you know how it is, clients will put up with discomfort (and even pain) because they don't know that they shouldn't have to. (hope that all made sense!)
TIP: This is NOT the time to be having a full blown discussion and a laugh with your client here. Concentrate at all times, keeping your beady eye on where that file is going, and looking down the barrel of the nail to see how thin your gel is getting.
I take a brand new file otherwise it takes for ever, or you have to apply too much pressure to get anywhere and can risk derailing the nail plate from the nail bed. I actually start with an LCN Profi file thin which is a 100 grit - gun me down and tell me I am wrong, but that's what I do lol! CAUTION HERE! a brand new 100 grit file can cause a hell of a lot of damage, so maybe use a higher grit if your filing control is not so good. I take off the bulk of the weight in zone 2 with this ONLY.
TIP: as with all filing keep the file constantly moving over all areas, don't rasp away in one area until that is removed otherwise you'll get your Girl Guide award for starting fires with all that continual friction!!!!!
Then I switch to a Designer Nails Black grit file that has been used a few times so it's not too sharp, starting with the 100 side I take it right down in all zones so that there is just a very thin layer, I then remove that layer with the 180 side (remember this is a file that is fairly worn and not a brand new one). BUT if you are inexperienced at this stage then maybe a 240 is better because it's this final stage that can do the damage.
Finish with a mini manicure and retail home care products and recommend a course of manicures.
... So how can you tell what is nail and what is gel? If you apply scrubfresh (or equivalent) to the nail. as it evaporates the part which is nail and the part which is gel will be two slightly different colours, and it should be easy to tell which is which. Eventually with practice you will just know which is which. The last thing you want to produce are lovely rings of fire at this stage in your relationship with your client, so if you really aren't confident then leave a very thin layer on the nail to grow out. it will make the natural nail feel a little stronger too.
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However it may be worth getting your tutor to show you if you are at all unsure. Forget the acetone - Brisa is non porous and it will not make one iota of difference apart from a waste of money and time.
