Gel Overlay Too Thick? How to Thin & Maintain Natural Nails

Question
I just had a gel overlay applied. It looks a little bulky to me- can I thin them out? How? They dont look very natural to me- rather look like thick artificial nails. They also have a "bulby" look to the tips where she applied a "natural white" gel. My tech also told me not to file length. Why? What do I do if I want them shortened and am not ready for a rebalance?

Answer
Manufacturers often tell us not to file on top of the final coat of gel in order to maintain the seal and prevent the gel from yellowing. The reason they say not to file the length is because many manufacturers insist that it is important to "cap" the free edge (the very edge of the nail) with the gel to create a seal that prevents the gel from lifting at the tip.

Most of us who have been working with gels for many years now have learned that you can do both without risking total destruction of the nail.

If you file them on top to thin them down and get rid of the bubbly stuff, just make sure to follow up with a buffer and use a non-yellowing top coat. If you put polish on them after you file on them, make sure you use a basecoat so the polish doesn't stain the gel.

If you file down the length you can seal the edge with clear polish or a tiny bit of nail glue.