Woman with elegant nude-pink gel nails contemplating a nail treatment in a noir studio setting

Nails25 April 20265 min read

Gel nail refill or new set? How to choose the right one

By HER Beauty

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Most people with gel nails need a refill every 3 to 4 weeks, once the nail has grown out and a gap has appeared at the cuticle. A completely new set makes sense when the gel has lifted on several nails, several nails have broken, or you want a very different length or shape. With us, a refill costs 669 DKK, a new set 939 DKK, and a refill of nails done at another salon 720 DKK.

What is the difference between a refill and a new set?

A new set of gel nails, also called nail extensions, is built from scratch. We shape the length and form and build the gel up on your natural nails. At HER Beauty it takes 90 minutes and costs 939 DKK.

A refill (also called an infill) builds on the set you already have. We file down the grown-out gel, correct the shape and fill the gap at the cuticle, so the nail is strong and even again. It takes 60 minutes and costs 669 DKK, and you can change colour at the same time.

In short, a refill is maintenance and a new set is a fresh start. You can see all prices and times on our services page.

How often should gel nails be refilled?

Your nails grow all the time. A US study found that fingernails grow about 3.5 mm a month on average, though it varies from person to person. So after three to four weeks there is a clear strip of bare nail between the cuticle and the gel.

It's about more than looks. As the gel grows out, the weight of the nail moves towards the tip. The nail becomes more vulnerable to pressure, and the risk of it breaking, or of the gel lifting at the edge, goes up.

That's why we recommend most people come in every 3 to 4 weeks. If your nails grow fast or you wear them long, coming in a little sooner can help. You'll find more tips in our guide to making gel nails last longer.

When is a refill the right choice?

A refill is the natural next step when your set is still in good shape. That's usually the case when:

the gel is well attached, with no more than small lifts at the edge.
you're happy with the length and shape.
it has been about three to four weeks since your last appointment.
no more than one nail has broken. We can repair it with a Nail Fix for 55 DKK.

Refilling gel nails from another salon

If your gel nails were done somewhere else, you can still get a refill with us. It takes 75 minutes and costs 720 DKK. The extra time goes to assessing and adjusting the product you already have on, so the refill blends with the rest of the nail. If there is a lot of lifting, or the nails are in poor condition, a new set may be the better choice, and we'll talk it through with you.

When do you need a completely new set?

At some point a refill is no longer enough. Consider a new set if:

the gel has lifted on several nails. A loose edge can catch on things and tear your own nail.
several nails have broken or cracked.
it has been much longer than four weeks and the nails have grown out a long way.
you want a completely new length or shape.
you want to switch technique, for example to Dual Forms, where a new set costs 977 DKK and a refill 770 DKK.

For a new set, the old product has to come off first. Never peel it off yourself. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against picking at gel and notes that gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking. We offer gel removal on its own in 30 minutes for 309 DKK. Read more in our guide to safe gel nail removal.

Do your nails need a break from gel?

We want to be honest here. Writing about artificial nails, the AAD says that frequent touch-ups can thin your natural nails, and that time without artificial nails gives them a chance to recover.

That doesn't mean gel nails are a bad choice. It means it's worth listening to your own nails. If they feel thin, soft or tender when the gel comes off, a break may be a good idea.

If you take a break, have the gel removed professionally, keep your natural nails short and moisturise nails and cuticles several times a day. When your nails feel healthy again, you can always start over with a new set.

Not sure whether to choose a refill or a new set? Book the one that best matches what you need, and we'll look at your nails together. You'll find us at Rosenørns Allé 4, close to Forum Metro, and you can book your appointment online Monday to Friday.

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