3 Easy Ways to Fill Polygel Nails at Home (w/Video)

Most brands of Polygel are extremely long-lasting and durable which means you can fill them when they grow out. Instead of having to completely remove and reapply them.

The main advantages of doing a fill of just redoing them are:

It is much faster and with less work
It is safer for your natural nails since you don’t need to remove the polygel no need to soak in acetone or have your nails filed too much.
It is cheaper and uses less Polygel.

So in this article, I am going to outline the 3 methods of filling Polygel nails and I am also going to answer all the important questions that you have.

Table Of Content show

When to Fill Polygel Nails

I usually fill Polygel nails after around 3 weeks have passed. But you can fill before or after too depending on how fast your nails grow.

Also, you need to ensure that your Polygel nails are in good condition before filling meaning that no major lifting or breaking is occurring.

If your Polygel nails are lifting or breaking then you should probably remove them and then reapply a fresh manicure.

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1- How to Fill Polygel

I have found that the easiest and best way to fill Polygel nails is to use Polygel. This is because Polygel has a nice thick formula which is really easy to work with in my opinion better than both builder gel or acrylic.

Step 1 – Prep

First, push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher – this is important to help prevent lifting.

Next, use a medium grit nail file to buff the exposed natural nails at the back – this is to roughen the nails up to allow the polygel to grip on better.

Then use a nail file to remove the top layer of the polygel. File until the polygel nails are no longer glossy. If you don’t remove the top layer, the polygel will not adhere well.

Also, you need to file down some of the Polygel at the back near to the cuticles. If not when you apply the polygel to do the fill the back will look too bulky.

You will also need to file down some of the length of the Polygel nails if they are too long.

Next, clean off any dust from your nails by wiping them with rubbing alcohol.

Step 2 – Application

The first thing you need to apply is a coat of dehydrator. And then a gel base coat on the back. Focus on applying it on the natural nails and on the polygel close to it. Then cure for 20 seconds.

Next, take some of the Polygel and apply it to the back of your nails

Then take a Polygel brush and wet it with some Slip Solution

And use the brush to gradually shape the Polygel to cover the gap and mold it over the back of the polygel nails – this is why we needed to file down that back.

Once you are satisfied cure your Polygel as recommended with the brand you are using.

Step 3 – Finishing Touches

After curing you will need to buff your nails with a medium grit nail file to smoothen them out and also to remove any excess bulk

After buffing wipe your nails with a cotton pad soaked with rubbing alcohol

Finally, you can apply your gel polish cure and then your gel top coat and cure again.

Video of How to Fill Polygel Nails

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2- Using Builder Gel to Fill Polygel Nails

Now if you don’t have Polygel you can also use any type of Builder Gel or even a rubber base gel. From my experience, once the formula is thick enough to create overlay nails it can be used to do a fill.

The directions are almost the same as if you are using Polygel except you are using the Builder Gel.

First, you need to push back your cuticles, file the exposed bad part of your natural nails, and remove the top glossy part of the Polygel.

File away the excess length of the Polygel and then wipe your nails clean with rubbing alcohol

Next, apply a coat of the dehydrator on the exposed part of your natural nails, and then apply your gel base coat and cure

Now you can apply your builder gel, apply it at the cuticle area, and then gradually mold it over your Polygel nails

Once you are satisfied with how the nails look cure them and then buff your nails until they are nice and smooth

Finally, you can apply your gel polish cure and then your gel top coat and cure.

Video of How to Use Builder Gel to Fill Polygel

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3- Using Acrylic to Fill Polygel

A lot of people don’t know this but you can use Acrylic to do a fill for Polygel nails. I have done this many times and it has come out flawlessly.

This is because Polygel and most types of gel used for extensions are made of an acrylic component so acrylic blends with it perfectly. So if you have acrylic and is accustomed to working with it go ahead and use it.

To fill Polygel with Acrylic you need to prep your nails as you would for a fill and then make a bead from the acrylic powder and liquid and use it to fill the growth gap at the back.

You can check out the video below to see how its done.

Video of How to Use Acrylic to Fill Polygel Nails

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