Diamond Drills vs. Nail Files: Which is Best for Gel Removal?

Question
Hi, I'm new to getting my nails done.  Previously I had my nails prepped with a diamond drill and then UV gel applied.   The result was great. I recently moved, and the manicurist  said she'd only use a nail file and wouldn't completely remove the old gel before "touching it up" with another coat of gel before drying it under the uv light. If I wanted the old gel completely removed I'd have to pay exta for a "soak". I didn't know if the soak was necessary and my friend said she had a bad experience with a professional who used a nail file only to prep the nail. Which is better, a diamond drill or using a series of nail files.  Also, should all of the old uv gel should come off before reapplication?   Thanks!

Answer
Dear Vanessa,
An electric file should NEVER, not under any circustance, ever touch a natural nail. This will damage the natural nail.  They are meant only for the acrylic and the gel, NOT the natural nails.

Neither is better than the other with regards to electric file vs hand filing.  it's a question of which to use when, and what techniques.  Damage can also be caused by overfiling by hand as well.

You do not need to remove the old product to do a refill or a rebalance.  It is an unecessary process if nothing is wrong with the existing product on the nails. The technician needs only to file away any lifted product, balance out the shape of the nail and refill where it's grown out.

UV Gel is not 'dried' under a lamp, it is "cured" meaning that the UV light causes the gel to harden.

Please see this page on my site to discern the difference between quality technicians and NSS.:
http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html


Hope this helps
Best regards
Victoria