Please ensure that you are qualified in builder gel application to use this product.
APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
- Dry manicure essentials
- Nail Surface Cleanser - to effectively cleanse and prep the natural nail plate for product application
- Bonder / Dehydrator - can be added to nails with hyperhidrosis.
- Acid Free Primer or Adhesion Plus Acid Free Primer- can be used on clients with product retention issues.
- A use of a base coat is not essential for Apex Build or Smart Base but is recommended by us in order to protect the natural nail plate against pigments.
- Microcrystal Base Coat - for nails which are strong and healthy.
- Rubber Base Coat (Medium) - for nails which are brittle, super flexible and/or damaged.
- Apex Build in any shade.
- Top Coat of your choice.
- A 48W UV/LED lamp - 365nm x 405nm with a low heat mode
PRODUCT DETAILS
Apex Build is a high - adhesion, soak - off base builder gel which can be used to strengthen natural nails. Once the free edge reaches 2mm in length we recommend switching to a hard builder gel formula.
NAIL PREP
- Sanitise your hands and your client's hands.
- Whenever possible please wear gloves. We recommend completing all nail treatments in gloves to avoid contact of uncured products with skin.
- Perform a dry manicure by gently pushing back the cuticle area and removing any non living tissue. Use an e-file if you are trained to use one.
- Using a 180 grit nail file shape the free edge of the nail and remove shine.
- Remove the dust using a nail brush and cleanse the nail.
- If applying the Acid Free Primer ensure to remove all excess from the brush and apply sparingly. Allow 30 sec to dry.
PRODUCT APPLICATION
- Apply a thin layer of base coat and cure for 30 sec with LED or 60 sec with UV.
- Apply a thin coat of Apex Build and cure 60 sec with LED or 120 sec with UV.
- Apply a medium sized bead of the gel and spread it side to side moving the product down, towards the free edge. Place the hand upside down for a few seconds to allow the product to self level.
- To ensure the best application around the cuticle area take the Gellifique® Liner Brush and using the tip move the product around the cuticle area and down the side walls for an even coverage.
- Avoid thick product build up around cuticle areas as this will cause the product to lift later. Cure on a low heat setting as above.
- Cleanse again and apply gel polish colour.
PRODUCT REMOVAL
Regular soak - off removals are extremely damaging to the natural nails and can cause severe dehydration over medium to long term. Please opt for infills whenever possible or e file removal.
- Reduce the nail length.
- Using a 150 grit manual file or an e-file (if trained) and take down the bulk of the product from each nail.
- Work around various areas of the nail to avoid heat build up to the natural nail and discomfort for the client.
- Change to a 180 grit file as you get closer to the natural nail.
- Once the product is thinned down soak a Gellifique® Lint Free Wipe in Acetone, place on the nail and wrap in tin foil. Soak for 15 minutes and scrape off any softened product. Re - wrap if necessary and wait a further 5 - 10 minutes.
- Any left over product can be gently buffed off the nails.
- Apply cuticle oil if there is no follow up manicure service. For a manual file removal we recommend switching from 150 grit nail file to a 180 grit file half way and then down to a 240 grit.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Always avoid skin contact with uncured products.
- Please do not attempt to scrape off any gel residue that is still hard.
- Please use the tools which you have been trained with for product removal.
- Please take care with pressure and use precision during the removal process in order to avoid overfiling the natural nail.