Rebalancing Nails (Part 2 - Procedure)

Now that we have learned why we rebalance a nail in part 1 of this article, lets talk about the actual process of rebalancing. (We will talk about rebalancing a French nail in a later article)

1. Just like with a full set, we will start with a Client Intake and Analysis.  Now, if this is a long time client our intake may be just a few seconds long, confirming the length and shape of the nails and assessing if there are any major issues. For a new rebalance client we want to take a bit longer, asking questions about the nails, what they are looking for as an end result, what they have on their nails currently and assessing if there are any major issues that need addressing (breakage, cracks, lifting, yellowing, greenies, etc.).
2. Next we will sanitize our hands and begin the process of preparing the artificial nail for a rebalance.



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• Shorten and reshape the nails
• Thin out the free edge back to the original thickness - it will be thicker after shortening due to the out-grown apex.
• File over the stress area and taper the sidewalls until flush to the natural nail.
• Prep all cracks for repair by thinning the area around the crack. Thin all the way to the root of the crack (which is usually down to the natural nail plate). 
• Thin any areas of lifting until the separated product flakes away and a new seal is found.
• Thin product until it is flush with the natural nail and there are no areas of lifting visible. Avoid nipping or mechanical force when removing lifted areas – sliding the nipper under a lifted edge and pulling up leads to service breakdown. It can also pull up layers of the nail plate, which will weaken the foundation of the enhancement. Nipping can also lead to onycholysis, and perpetuate excessive filing to remove the ridge left behind. Proper nail care is of utmost importance.  You must do everything you can to protect and preserve the integrity of the natural nail plate
• Review entire file prep to be sure remaining product is thin and even, and that there is no lifted material left. 
3. PREP the exposed natural nails.
4. Apply your chosen product per the manufacturers instructions, filling in the growth area and rebalancing the stress area on all nails and addressing any broken or cracked nails in the process.
5. File and finish as usual

Pictures from : http://www.nsinails.com/nail-labs/tricks-of-the-trade/rebalancing.html

 

 

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