This blog post is the first of our four-post series guide on CALLA e-file bits for nail care and gel nails. To start, we’re focusing on e-file bits for product removal. Although we feature CALLA e-file bits in this series, you can find alternatives at www.sweetienailsupply.com, as we are continually bringing in new brands and products, including e-file bits.
CALLA is a professional Korean beauty brand specializing in premium nail care implements and tools, and is known in the Korean nail industry for its professional patented Scissor Care technique. CALLA e-file bits are intended for professional use. For this guide, users should have prior experience using an e-file and performing e-filing. E-filing should always be performed with proper technique, control, and an understanding of how different bits and speeds affect the natural nail to optimize efficiency, perform safely, and prevent damage to the natural nails.
For product removal, it is helpful to know what type of product the client has on their nails. A traditional gel manicure generally has less product than a structured manicure or builder gel manicure, requiring more precaution to prevent overfiling when removing layers close to the natural nail. Acrylic and hard gel are typically more rigid than soft gel products, requiring a medium to coarse grit for efficient removal. Knowing what type of product the client has on can help you anticipate how much product may be on the nail and select an e-file bit most suitable for removing product effectively and safely.
CALLA The Black Off E-File Bit is effective for nail enhancement removals as it can reduce product bulk quickly yet remove product at the sides of the nails. It is a tapered-barrel multi-grit bit with a rounded tip that can be used as a general removal bit to remove artificial nails, overlays, top coat, glitter, and gel color.
At the base of the bit (the area closest to the shank), the teeth are larger for removing the bulkiest part of the nail enhancement. The teeth on the body (or belly) is most commonly used to remove product in general. Moving towards the tip of the bit, the teeth decrease in size to provide a finer grit for removal in thinner areas such as the sidewalls and outgrown cuticle area.
To efficiently remove top coat and reduce product bulk, use the bit starting at about 15,000 RPM. Use the tip of the bit to remove product at the sidewalls and other tighter areas of the nail. Use the body of the bit to efficiently reduce bulk across the center of the nail. If the bit feels like it is catching or skipping against the product, gradually increase the speed as needed, up to approximately 25,000-30,000 RPM, depending on your e-file machine. Increase the speed only when necessary to maintain smooth, efficient removal.
Use light, consistent pressure while maintaining a firm and controlled grip on the handpiece. Maintain balance and control by stabilizing the pinky finger of the hand holding the handpiece, and let the bit and speed do the work. Keep the bit moving continuously across the surface, avoiding prolonged contact in one area.
As you get closer to the natural nail, decrease the speed to about 10,000-15,000 RPM and use a lighter touch. When working with soak-off gel, you can leave a thin layer of product on the natural nail plate, then remove the remaining product according to the manufacturer’s removal instructions, such as soaking off the product with acetone.
For regular gel manicures, a bit with a fine or medium grit such as the OFF Safety Bit can be used to remove top coat and gel color. Use this bit at about 10,000-15,000 RPM, decreasing the speed to around 5,000-8,000 RPM when removing the gel color layer. As always, adjust your speed and pressure based on the product, bit, e-file, and your level of control rather than relying on RPM alone.
The benefit of both the Black Off and OFF Safety bits is their rounded, smooth tip, which allows you to work closer to the sides of the nail near the proximal nail fold while reducing the likelihood of the bit cutting or snagging the surrounding skin compared with conventional sharp-edged bits. This safety-bit design also provides a more predictable glide over the nail, making it less likely to dig into the product or natural nail when the angle changes slightly. Safety bits can be more forgiving and beginner-friendly, but proper e-file technique and control are still essential.
For removing nail parts, the Strong Off Bit is a medium-coarse, pointed bit that can be used to remove gel around the edges of nail charms and 3D nail parts, helping to loosen them for removal. The bit’s narrow, pointed shape allows it to reach tight areas that larger barrel-shaped bits cannot, making it especially useful for removing product very close to the proximal nail fold during removal, color changes, fills, and even refinement of nail enhancements.
The bit can be used to remove excess product from the sidewalls and underside of the free edge, as well as cured product that has flooded the cuticle area. This makes it a useful bit for both refining an existing nail set and removing product during a full removal.
Having reliable e-file bits can increase the speed and efficiency of your workflow while giving you greater control over product removal. Choosing the right bit for the product you are working with can help remove product effectively while minimizing over-filing the natural nail. In the next post, we’ll explore e-file bits that can be used for cuticle care.
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