✨ Professional Nail Preparation – Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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:

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: