Is it true that e-files damage the nail? If used correctly e-files are very safe. The tools are smaller and more precise than traditional files so they can be used more accurately and can be safer than hand filing. If used incorrectly the e-file can damage the nail, most commonly by people filing into the natural nail, or by not lifting the tool off the nail regularly and building up heat. The drill tools get hot when in use, how do I stop this? This is from the friction on the nail plate and it is vital to prevent the tool getting so hot it causes damage. Follow these rules to avoid the problem: Get into the habit of lifting the tool off the nail every second or so; don’t go back and forth when in contact with the nail plate, instead move in one direction then lift off the nail and repeat; do not apply too much pressure. All your strokes should be short and light.

Why do my nail enhancements lift at the back? This is usually caused by incomplete nail preparation leaving skin cells oroils on the nail plate before applying the extension and product. To avoid this remove the shine from the natural nail surface thoroughly using a diamond tool before applying extensions. Other causes can be: touching the nail plate after preparation which transfers oils onto thesurface; exposing the hands and nails to detergents, such as washing up without gloves, will damage almost all nail extensions and cause lifting; ‘Picking’ - if there is a small area of lifting do not pick. Simply file away before it has a chance to spread.

Why are my nails always dull even after buffing? This is usually caused by not graduating properly from coarser grits to finer ones. Always use a white sanding block between filing the surface and buffing. The use of a buffing cream at the first stage of buffing will also help achieve a high gloss shine.

Since using an e-file my nail enhancements become brittle after the first few infills. Why? Caused by microshattering this typically happens after a couple of infills. This can be due to using drill tools which are too coarse or being too aggressive when filing. This has the effect of vibrating the enhancements and over time the product bonds become more and more brittle with each infill.

Why do I keep catching the skin at the sides of the nail? This is known as ‘grabbing’ and occurs when the positioning is not quite right. Try to keep the handpiece parallel to the work surface and manipulate the finger rather than moving the drill tool. Also hold the finger by pinching down the sidewalls of the nail to keep the skin out of the way.

I keep snagging the tool on the nail and losing control. What am I doing wrong? Usually this is from using too fast an rpm or applying too much pressure.Try slowing the speed first. If that does not work, increase the speed but use less pressure. Occasionally it could be that the tool is very sharp. In which case apply very little pressure.

“Rings of Fire” - what are they and how do I avoid them? These are the red lines which only show up as the nail grows. Created by filing into the natural nail as you taper the cuticle edge, they are thinned areas of natural nail. These are often caused when a sanding band is used on the cuticle area, the narrower circumference of a diamond barrel tools makes it easier to control. So if you regularly have “rings of fire” and use a sanding band, try switching to a diamond tool for cuticle work.To avoid these, take great care to prevent filing into the natural nail. Keeping your handpiece parallel to the work surface and angling the nail helpsthis. Also, use very light pressure and only slightly angle the nail to create the taper to the cuticle. If necessary reduce the speed of the tool to allow greater control.

If ‘rings of fire’ appear regularly you must refine your filing technique, however, these can be caused by the most experienced of nail technicians on occasion and are not usually painful or permanently damaging to the growth of the nail. If you have painful “rings of fire’ that is serious misuse of the electric nail file and can be a sign of severe damage to the nail plate.

What are “Hot Spots”? Similar to “rings of fire” but on a smaller scale these are simply red marks where the file has gone into the natural nail because of filing in one area for too long. Hot Spots are more likely to be created with hand filing as the files are larger and less precise than an electric file. Correct use of electric files will almost never result in hot spots.They are usually not serious. However it is a sign of damage to the nail plate and something which should be avoided.