If you are a nail professional who frequently performs e-filing as part of your nail services, it’s important to have reliable, durable, and high-quality e-file bits that perform consistently and as expected with each use. For nail techs who offer structured manicures or builder gel nails, a significant portion of services typically entails product fills and rebalancing the nail structure. In this blog post, we’ll highlight a few CALLA Professional e-file bits that can be used for gel fill-ins and rebalance work.
Although this guide features CALLA Professional e-file bits, Sweetie Nail Supply also offers e-file bits from other brands. You can check out our current selection of e-file bits at www.sweetienailsupply.com, where we continually add new professional tools and products.
For gel fill-ins and rebalancing, the top coat, nail embellishments such as charms or 3D details, gel color, and excess enhancement product are typically removed to create a smooth, flat, and even surface. This allows you to access the new growth area for cuticle clean up and nail prep for application of new product.
Unlike a full removal, you do not necessarily need to remove all of the existing enhancement product. A foundation of the previous product can remain on the nail as long as there is no lifting, damage, or other issue that requires complete removal, and the remaining product is suitable for the new application.
The Purple e-file bit is a medium-coarse bit (between blue and green in abrasive coarseness) with a spiral-cut design that provides smooth and controlled product removal. The bit features a barrel shape that tapers into a cone, making it versatile for working across different areas of the nail.
The Purple bit is uniquely shaped to follow the curvature of the nail apex, helping provide more consistent contact with the nail surface. Its spiral-cut design allows for more continuous and progressive removal during contact with the nail. This can create a smoother, more fluid filing sensation while helping minimize vibrations that can occur with some conventional straight-cut bits.
This safety bit features a rounded tip with smaller spiral cuts, providing a finer cutting action that is useful for working on areas with thinner product at the sides and base of the nail. The center, or belly, of the bit can be used to debulk excess product at the center of the nail.
A starting range of 15,000-25,000 RPM is recommended for product removal and debulking, depending on the e-file. Adjust the speed as needed. The selected speed should provide enough torque for the bit to remove product efficiently without needing to add pressure.
For rebalance work, shortening the nail length may sometimes be necessary. The Taper Off bit is a blue-abrasive, medium-grit cone bit that can be used for product removal, debulking, and shortening the free edge.
The tip of the bit features finer cutting edges that allow for more controlled work in tighter areas along the sides and near the base of the nails where you are working closer to the surrounding skin. The center of the bit features medium cutting edges and can be used for debulking as well as general shortening of the nails.
When using the Taper Off bit near the sides and base of the nail, a starting range of 10,000 to 15,000 RPM can be used for controlled work.
For more substantial product removal, use the bit between 20,000 to 25,000 RPM, depending on your e-file machine. Adjust the speed as needed to allow for safe and controlled handling. For nails that require a significant amount of length or product bulk to be removed, a bit with higher coarse grit, such as The Purple, is more efficient.
When doing gel fill-ins or rebalancing, the product at the base of the nail in the growth area needs to be reduced and blended with the natural nail. This helps eliminate the visible ledge created by new nail growth and provide access to the cuticle area for clean up and nail prep for new product application.
The Fill-Up Bit was specially designed with a pointed shape to help lower and refine the ledge of grown-out gel. Because this area is close to the natural nail, it is important to use a light touch and maintain full control of the e-file handpiece while working.
Regardless of which bit you use for product removal and debulking, the Fill-Up Bit can be used afterwards to refine the base area of the gel enhancement and create a smoother transition between the existing product and the natural nail. It can also be used for removing small pockets of lifting.
Specialized e-file bits designed for specific types of nail work can help improve efficiency and workflow during a service. For more on e-file bits for cuticle care and gel nails, check out our previous posts featuring CALLA Professional e-file bits:
E-file Bits for Removal
E-file Bits for Cuticle Care
Our next blog post features e-file bits that can be used to refine gel enhancements after product application.
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