Fill lines are the result of applying new product on top of old product that has started to lift. Once the enhancement has started to lift, avoid the urge to nip off the lifted area. Nipping causes excessive fill lines and more product separation.
When a client comes in with lift at the cuticle area, gently file at the place where the product is separating from the nail. Apply a very small amount of fill line eraser at the lift site (avoiding the skin) and wait for one to three minutes. Re-file the area, removing the shine, and prep as usual.
During prep, the most often overlooked part of the nail bed is the corner where the cuticle area meets the sidewalls. Use a cuticle pusher with a sharp end to gently scrape away any remaining cuticle on the nail plate. This tissue is often neglected because it is mostly transparent. — Kimberly Ensign is an educator for EZ Flow and ibd, and owner of Acrylic Enhancements by Kimberly Ensign in Bloomington, Ill.