What’s a Nail Ridge Filler: Are they Good & How to Use
Are your nails uneven with textured grooves running through them? This can cause your manicures to look bumpy and very uneven.
But don’t worry these ridges can easily be covered up to give your nails a nice smooth look and feel. All you need is a good nail ridge filler.
What is a Nail Ridge Filler
A Nail Ridge Filler is a thick polish used to cover over uneven ridges on your nails giving them a nice smooth look and feel.
Ridge fillers are usually just clear base coats that are extra thick which allows them to cover any unevenness and ridges on your nails. They usually contain ingredients such as silica, and fibers such as nylon or silk which cover the ridges and gaps.
Lots of ridges formed on your nails are usually caused by aging – similar to how wrinkles are formed, weaken nails from poor diet, or sometimes even a medical condition. Citation.
A ridge filler will only cover the ridges up but the best way to treat them long-term is to eat a balanced diet, take your supplements and keep your cuticles and nails moisturized with good cuticle oil.
Are Nail Ridge Fillers Safe for Your Nails
Yes, most brands of ridge fillers are completely safe for your nails and won’t harm or damage them in any way.
Nail ridge fillers can actually protect and help your nails to become stronger.
Benefits of a Nail Ridge Filler
- Helps your Natural Nails to have a nice smooth feel and look.
- Reinforces weak and brittle nails – a ridge filler can help to reinforce your natural nails preventing them from breaking easily
- Prevent Staining of nails – creates a thick layer over your nails preventing pigments from polish and chemicals from reaching your nails.
- Help to prevent excessive peeling of your natural nails.
Now the best way to have healthy nails is to consistently use a cuticle oil I recommend:
Coconut Oil for Nails & Cuticles: Benefits & How to Use
Castor Oil for Nails & Cuticles: Benefits & How to Use
Does Ridge Filler Help Peeling Nails
A ridge filler can help to stop and even prevent your nails from peeling. This is because the ridge filler would cover and seal your nails which temporarily stops them from peeling.
Now one of the reasons why your nails tend to peel is because they get extra dry. And by using a ridge filler you protect your natural nails from excessive exposure to water and other chemicals like soap and alcohol which can dry out your nails and cause them to peel.
Using a good supplement is necessary for healthy nails, you can click here to see an effective nail supplement you can use.
Can you Wear Ridge Filler Alone
Yes, you can wear a ridge filler by itself on your natural nails or with most brands as a base for nail polish.
How to Use a Ridge Nail Filler
- First, prep your cuticles by pushing them back
- Next, clean your nails with rubbing alcohol
- Then apply a coat of the ridge filler and let it dry
- If your nails still feel uneven you will need to apply more coats of ridge filler.
- Once the filler has been applied you can proceed to apply your manicure.
How long does ridge filler take to dry
This will vary depending on the brand of ridge filler each brand’s formula will be different, so you need to read the instructions that it comes with.
How many coats of Ridge Filler should you use
This will depend on the brand of the ridge filler and how effective the formula is. Now, for most brands, you usually just need 2 coats to make your nails nice and smooth.
But in some cases, just 1 coat might be enough if your nails aren’t so bad and the brand of filler is very thick. And for nails that are in bad shape or if the ridge filler has a thin formula you might need more than 2 coats.
Do you put Ridge Filler before or after a base coat
A ridge filler should go on before a base coat. But in most cases, if your ridge coat says that it is a ridge filler and a base coat you won’t need to use a base coat.
Which Goes First Ridge Filler or Nail Strengthener
If you are using a nail strengthener you should apply it before the ridge filler.
But I recommend just using a ridge filler that has similar properties of a nail strengthener meaning it contains ingredients that might help your nails be stronger over time.
I recommend the Barielle Hydrating Nail Ridge Filler – it is made to help heal damaged and brittle nails, click here to see the price for a bottle on Amazon.
Click here to learn more about Nail Strengtheners
Type of Ridge Filler to use for a Gel Polish
If you are using a ridge filler with a UV gel polish or any UV gel product you will need a UV-cured gel ridge filler. Since a regular ridge filler would not work as an effective base coat for gel products
A rubber base gel coat is best cause it works like a ridge filler and it is a UV gel base coat. You can Click here to see a good rubber base gel on Amazon – it’s specially made to cover unevenness on your nails.
How to Remove Nail Ridge Fillers
Ridge Fillers are extremely easy to remove. All you need to do is wipe your nails and let them soak for 1-2 minutes with a nail polish remover.
Best Nail Ridge Fillers Without Formaldehyde
Avoid using ridge nail fillers that contain formaldehyde, parabens, or toluene. These chemicals will work in the short term but in the long run, they will weaken your nails more than help them.
Instead looks for a nail ridge filler that is 10 free or 7 free meaning they don’t contain most of the harsh chemicals.
The best nail ridge fillers are:
- Barielle Nail Ridge Filler (A filler that has great hydrating properties)
- Nail Tek Ridge Filler Kit (A comprehensive kit that is ideal if your nails are weak & Brittle)
1- Barielle Nail Ridge Filler
The Barielle Nail Ridge Filler is my favorite ridge filler. Not only will it cover all of the ridges on your nails but it is also packed with nutrients and hydrations which will lead to stronger healthier nails.
Barielle Ridge Filler will also work as a base coat for your nail polish and it is also 10-free and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals like formaldehyde.
You can click here to see the price for a bottle of Barielle Nail Ridge Filler on Amazon.
2- Nail Tek Kit
If you are looking for a great kit that contains everything you need for stronger healthier nails then the Nail Tek kit is your best bet.
The kit comes with:
- A nail strengthener – which is applied first, rich in nutrients to promote healthier nails
- A ridge filler – is applied after the strengthener to cover the bumps and ridges and act as a base coat for nail polish.
- A cuticle oil – is applied at the end of your manicure to moisturize your nails and cuticles.
You can click here to see the price for the Nail Tek Kit on Amazon
