✨ Professional Nail Preparation – Complete Step-by-Step Guide
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Professional nail preparation is the foundation of long-lasting and flawless results in any nail system — whether gel polish, builder gel, acrygel or acrylic.
Correct prep ensures clean adhesion, prevents lifting, protects the natural nail and improves product consistency. The goal is not to thin or damage the nail, but to create the ideal surface for adhesion while maintaining the nail’s natural structure and health.
This guide walks you through each step required to prepare the nail safely and professionally — just like in salon-level applications.
🧼 Step-by-Step Nail Preparation
1️⃣ Sanitize
Sanitize both your hands and the client’s hands to prevent contamination and keep the service hygienic.
2️⃣ Push Back the Cuticle
Gently push back the cuticles using a cuticle pusher to expose the full nail plate.
Any product sitting on skin will eventually lift.
3️⃣ Remove Cuticle Residues
Using a professional cuticle bit or cuticle remover, carefully eliminate dead skin around the cuticle zone and sidewalls.
Product cannot adhere to skin — only to the natural nail plate.
4️⃣ Remove Natural Shine
Use a 180/180 grit nail file to gently mattify the natural nail.
Do not apply pressure — the goal is to remove shine, not thickness.
The nail should appear:
matte
smooth
evenly prepared
and never polished or shiny.
5️⃣ Remove Dust
Use a soft brush to remove dust completely — dust particles act as a barrier between product and nail.
6️⃣ Dehydrate
Apply a professional Nail Prep to remove natural oils and moisture.
This improves product grip and prevents early lifting.
7️⃣ Apply Primer (based on nail type)
Choose the primer according to the client’s nail condition:
| Nail Type | Recommended Product |
|---|---|
| Oily or lifting-prone nails | Primer SOS |
| Normal or sensitive nails | No Acid Primer |
| Maximum adhesion (all systems) | Bond Promotor |
This step is essential in creating a chemical bond between the natural nail and enhancement products.
⭐ Result
A correctly prepped nail should be:
matte
clean
dry
free of oils
free of cuticle
smooth — but not over-filed
This is the ideal foundation for professional application.
📥 Optional Download (if you want)
🔗 Download the printable training guide:
🛍️ Shop the products used in this guide
Achieve professional adhesion and long-lasting results using the recommended Purple Professional essentials: