If you have sculptured nails, overlays, or tips applied, your natural nail will continue to grow underneath the synthetic material. As your nail grows out, the area at the base of the nail that is no longer covered with the sculptured nail material will need to be filled in. The average time between fill-ins is approximately two weeks, but some people can go up to three weeks without getting fill-ins. Buffing and re-polishing your nails in-between fill-ins may help keep their appearance. When doing fill-ins, your manicurist will apply a sculptured nail product to the area that needs filling. She or he should then file, buff, and re-polish your nails. If any of your nails break or lift, have the nail repaired as soon as possible because moisture may get trapped between your natural nail and the sculptured nail, causing fungus to grow. Infection can set in if the problem is not addressed immediately. Sculptured nails will last longer if you take proper care of them. To remove polish, use only a non-acetone remover because acetone may dissolve the acrylic substance of which the nails are made.
