Gel Removal Bit No.1

Gel Removal Bit No.1 is a cone-shaped bit for removing gel, made from very high-quality tungsten carbide. It combines sharpness with a long lifespan, so it comes into its own whenever you need to take off the previous layer of product efficiently before an infill or a new nail set. The other shapes – barrel, fir-tree and Dual – are in the gel removal bits category.

What are gel removal bits and how does the No.1 cone work?

It is an e-file bit with blades that take off cured product layer by layer. The head of the No.1 is cone-shaped and narrows towards the tip, so you can work with its side across the surface of the nail as well as with the narrower part closer to the edge. Well-chosen removal bits let you take off layers of product quickly and effectively, without losing control as you get close to the natural nail plate.

• Shape: cone.
• Material: very high-quality tungsten carbide – sharp and long-lasting.
• Use: gel, acrylic and gel polish.
• Blade design: suitable for right- and left-handed users.
• Variants: several colour versions.
• Shank: 2.35 mm (3/32") – fits all of the most popular e-files.

Professional gel removal bits – the No.1 carbide bit

Carbide bits, made from tungsten carbide, are valued in salon work for their sharpness and durability. The hard material keeps its edges sharp for a long time, which means even, consistent work over many treatments. This model and its colour variants can last for up to a year or more.

Gel, acrylic, gel polish and acrygel – what Gel Removal Bit No.1 is for

The No.1 is a versatile bit: it removes gel, gel polish and acrylic, and it also works well on acrygel nail sets. One tool covers clients wearing different types of nail sets – from gel nails and acrylics to a gel polish manicure. You don't need to change bits just because your next client is wearing gel instead of polish.

How to remove gel and gel polish with an e-file – quick and safe removal

A sharp bit works efficiently, so control over the tool matters most. A few rules will help you remove a nail set without overheating the nail plate:

• Fit the bit securely in the handpiece and check that it spins without vibration.
• Start at a lower speed and guide the bit smoothly over the product, without pressing hard.
• Remove the product in layers – first take off the thicker layer, e.g. the gel of an extension, then even out the rest.
• Don't hold the head in one place – keeping it moving limits heat build-up on the nail plate.
• Slow down near the natural nail plate and the cuticles to reduce the risk of damaging the plate.
• Removing product creates a lot of fine dust, so wear a mask and use a dust collector, e.g. the Studio Air nail dust collector.

No.1 compared with other gel removal bits

Choosing the right bit depends on your technique and the type of nail set, and among gel removal bits the No.1 stands out for its versatility. During an infill you usually don't remove the whole nail set – you shorten and even out the product, then work on the regrowth. The No.1 cone is ideal for taking product off the surface, while the No.3 fir-tree bit is excellent for working on the underside of the nail. The Dual bit, with its two ends, precisely cleans the area where the product meets the natural nail plate. For a full removal, when your client wants to change the type of nail set, the No.1 takes off most of the product and you can finish the job more gently, with less pressure. It's worth having reliable bits in several shapes to hand, as each stage calls for a slightly different bit.

Tungsten carbide vs ceramic – when to reach for a gel polish removal bit

If your client wears only gel polish, you can work with the No.1 cone or with a ceramic bit. The ceramic bit with a red band has a fine grit and very high resistance to heat, but it is too delicate for gel and acrygel nail sets. For a thicker layer of gel or acrygel, tungsten carbide bits such as the No.1 work best – when your diary includes both gel and gel polish clients, one sharp bit handles both.

Who is this bit for? Right- and left-handed nail stylists and colour variants

Thanks to the blade design, the bit is comfortable for both right- and left-handed users, so it makes work easier for every nail stylist, whichever hand guides the bit. The No.1 earns its place at any nail desk where different types of product are removed every day. If you're just starting out with removing nail sets, consider the No.2 Cameleon bit, a barrel shape with a gentler blade that gives you more control over the product you're removing.

The model comes in several colour variants. Alongside the standard version, you can choose the rainbow No.1 Rainbow bit or the gold No.1 Gold – variants of the same bit that differ only in colour, so you can easily tell your bits apart at the nail desk.

How to care for carbide bits – cleaning and sterilisation

Bits need proper care. After every client, brush the dust off the head, removing any product residue from between the blades, then disinfect the bit. You can also sterilise the No.1, which helps you meet hygiene requirements in your salon. Store clean bits separately from used ones and protect the blades from knocks against hard surfaces – a damaged blade works less well and can cause vibration.