NAIL FILE: HOW TO CHOOSE A TOOL FOR A NAIL ARTIST? TYPES, ABRASIVES AND FORMS OF THE MAIN MANICURE ASSISTANT

What is abrasiveness?

The word “abrasiveness” refers to the hardness of the nail file. High-quality treatment of the nail plate largely depends on the degree of rigidity with which the file is chosen. After all, if it does not meet the norm, you can damage the nail.

How is the abrasiveness of files measured? Usually in grits. This unit of measurement clearly demonstrates the accumulation of those same abrasive particles on the surface of the manicure tool used. The lower the indicator, the greater the rigidity.

It is not advisable to choose a nail file simply by eye; it is better to decide what exactly it is needed for. This makes it easy and hassle-free to select the appropriate degree of hardness.

Is it possible to file nails with gel polish?

Gel polish coating is a rather expensive procedure, which is usually performed by a specialist (in a beauty salon or at home). Therefore, many women believe that such a coating is highly resistant to external influences. In fact, this is not so: gel polish, like any other varnish, can:

• flake off;
• deform;
• change color over time;
• change its texture;
• collapse.

In this regard, you should not subject your nails coated with gel polish to filing or cleaning. These procedures must be carried out strictly before applying base and varnish. Moreover, for three days after applying gel polish, you should not wash your hands in hot water or visit a steam room or sauna. When exposed to high temperatures, the gel coating loses its shine and quickly becomes dull.

If you need to use household chemicals (for example, to clean a stove or wash dishes), this should only be done while wearing protective rubber gloves. Otherwise, the gel will react with chemicals, and the coating will begin to rapidly deteriorate.

The value of the abrasiveness number of nail files

Surely many have noticed more than once a certain set of numbers on each file: for example, 180/240. How can this be explained? It’s simple, this means that on one side the file has 180 abrasive particles, and on the other there are 240. And these indicators are precisely grits. For example, what is a 180/240 file intended for?

This can be found out by analyzing several specific groups into which nail files are divided according to their indicators:

• 60–80 grit is a hard nail file. These files are primarily intended for adjusting the length of artificial nail plates. It is better to avoid treating natural nails with such files. If this is not done, the result may be delamination.
• 100–150 grit - such a file will have a slightly lower degree of hardness. A working tool with such indicators is used to adjust artificial nails, and with its help you can give it any shape.
• 150–240 grit – medium hardness. However, it cannot be used for natural nails either, only for artificial ones. Usually, with the help of such a file, the final shape of the nail plates is made and the necessary alignments are made.
• 240 grit is a high abrasiveness of files for natural nail plates.
• 240–400 grit – soft nail file. It is used to correct nails and also polish them.
• 400–900 grit - a file with a similar indicator may well be useful in preparing nails for polishing.
• 900–1200 grit – these can be microabrasives and buffs, which are designed to polish the nail plate to a mirror shine.

The basis

Another important factor when choosing an abrasive for manicure and pedicure is the base from which the tool is made. Below are the main ones:

• Glass.

  
  On this basis, they are a universal tool for manicure and pedicure, because they are suitable not only for natural nails, but also for artificial ones. Glass abrasive can be used to correct the shape of nails in manicure, pedicure, for filing when building up plates, even for grinding the working surface. I recommend having several glass tools with different abrasiveness in your cosmetic bag. The files are safe for natural nails, do not damage the plate, and do not lead to delamination. The only downside is its fragility, so it is better to store the device in a case.

• Ceramic.

  
  Abrasives based on this type are called “curing” abrasives. These are ideal files for split and brittle nails, gently and effectively smoothing out the damaged edge of the nail. It can also be used to remove dry and rough skin around the nail surface, but such tools are not suitable for artificial plates.

• Crystal.

  
  They are practical and easy to use, because the plate can be filed in any direction, and after using such a file, the surface of the nail will be smooth, not rough, and no additional polishing with a buff will be required.

• Metal.

  
  Modern masters prohibit the use of metal tools when working with natural nails. Such interaction leads to damage to the structure of the plate and to its delamination. An exception is the use of such files in pedicures for thick nails. Metal abrasives are reliable, durable, and coarse-grained ones are suitable for correcting the length and shape of extended nails.

• Plastic, cardboard.

  
  They are also called “disposable” due to their short service life. But such files have much more advantages. The tools are soft, Teflon coated, suitable for brittle nails, and low in cost. They are convenient and easy to take with you when traveling or on vacation.

• Wooden.

  
  Professional pedicure files are created on this basis. They are lightweight, convenient, and the abrasive made of granite, diamond or ceramic is held securely by glue. A thin wood file allows for high-quality processing in difficult areas.

• Laser, they are diamond.

  
  They appeared only recently, but already confidently occupy a leading position. What are they? These are tools made of high-quality plastic or metal, in which holes are made in the form of a pattern with diamond coating applied using a laser. The uniqueness of these files lies in the fact that with their help you can work not only on the nail plates, correcting their length and shape, but also remove the cuticle. Abrasives are reliable, durable, easy to use, and are produced for both manicure and pedicure. Let's look at some of them.

• File Messer & Nagel

Manufactured by the German company Kristaller, it is intended for unedged, and therefore safe, manicure, made of high-quality laser material, the use of which prevents damage and delamination of nails and, on the contrary, makes them smooth and shiny. Can also be used to create a shape for the free edges of the nails. The file is flexible, lightweight, 20 cm long, which is very convenient to use.

• Mertz file
  Read also:  DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION OF MANICURE INSTRUMENTS

A tool from another German manufacturer of manicure accessories. A high-quality device for unedged manicure and pedicure, made of metal with laser perforation, about 10 cm in length and light weight, capable of replacing several tools. It does an excellent job of treating cuticles, dry periungual areas of the skin, creating shapes for nails, and can also act as a nail plate cleaner due to its sharp edge. Due to its small size, the file is convenient to use when working with problem nails.

• Smart nail file Shere Nagel

Another achievement in the field of manicure tools, designed for processing and removing cuticles during untrimmed manicures and pedicures. It has a convenient shape, special diamond coating and safe sides, which allows you to treat the cuticle and periungual ridges near the nail surface, without damaging it at all and without leaving behind furrows. The file can be used by those with dry, sensitive skin; it does not affect living tissue, it removes only dry areas of the skin, so it is used without first steaming the hands and feet. The tool must also be dry.

The file is suitable for manicure and pedicure at home, and the quality of cuticle processing is much superior to the results of salon trimming procedures.

• Professional laser file for pedicure.

  
  A very effective abrasive tool. On the grinding surface there are teeth 0.1-0.2 mm high, which effectively remove rough skin, calluses, and also additionally provide the effect of foot massage. With this tool you can treat the skin on your heels, feet, toes, as well as the nails themselves.

Let's look at some more types of files that can be used to solve the most complex problems:

• Shere Nagel file with sealing effect

Another smart invention from Shere Nagel. An indispensable assistant in the care of thin, brittle nails. It is made of metal and plastic, double-sided - one side effectively files the edge of the nail plate, and the other securely seals it. Both surfaces are patented.

Glass and ceramic files have similar sealing properties.

• Sandpaper file.

  
  Designed for unedged manicure and pedicure. A double-sided tool, each side of which has its own degree of abrasiveness. Care for nails and skin is carried out without preliminary steaming.

There are also electric nail files:

• The Scholl electric nail file is designed for performing hygienic manicures and pedicures – it treats nails and periungual ridges.

  
  It has two speed modes, the kit includes batteries, a nutritional complex of seven oils and three attachments with plates of different abrasiveness for correction, grinding and polishing the surface.
  The file copes with its functions perfectly and allows you to significantly reduce the time for hand care, making it as comfortable and high-quality as possible. Electric nail file "Scholl" - instructions for use

• Another useful tool from this brand is the Scholl roller nail file with diamond chips.

  
  It is convenient to use when caring for your feet; no preliminary or other special preparations or steaming are required.
  The device is designed to remove calluses, cracks, and rough skin on the feet and heels. The entire procedure at home takes about half an hour. Compact, convenient, easy to use, safe and stylish, the nail file returns softness and tenderness to the skin of the legs in just a few uses, depending on the condition of the dermis. Scholl electric roller file for removing rough skin on feet

More special types:

• A nail file with wax that takes care of the nail plates and, as it were, seals the free edges.

  
  This option was invented specifically for nails that have become brittle and weak after extension procedures.
  Nail lamination - procedure and review of products

  Read also:  What to do if nail polish has thickened: how to dilute it at home and how to dilute dried nail polish
• A shellac file is a regular, convenient file that has an abrasiveness rating of 180-240 grit.
  With this tool it is safe to prepare nails for applying shellac, as well as to file off the coating without harming the nail plate. All about shellac - properties and comparison with other coatings, how to do a manicure

Measuring the abrasiveness of a file for natural nails

So, what kind of files are needed for natural nails? Typically, the abrasiveness of nail files should be 180/240 grit. However, it is best to stick to another indicator - 240. What is the reason for this? If the degree of rigidity is high, this means that the file will have a gentle effect on the nail plate.

Typically, a high index file can be used for polishing, but not for correction. If the hardness of a manicure tool starts from 900 grit and ends at 1200, this means that it is more suitable for grinding.

How does a polishing file affect the nail plates?

Such a tool has many advantages. Let's take a closer look at them.

1. Thanks to this tool, your nails become smooth, without any unevenness.
2. A nail file for polishing nails eliminates roughness.
3. Using this tool you can remove any remaining varnish.
4. The nail plate becomes shiny.
5. Nails grow well after treatment.

In fact, after such a procedure you can boast of well-groomed and glossy nails. However, it should be taken into account that polishing should not be done frequently, since the nails may subsequently break.

What is the abrasiveness of an artificial nail file?

If you take into account a file for artificial nails, in this case it is best to choose a tool with the least degree of rigidity.

In addition, if you want to shape your nails, then the file should have a value of no more than 100 grit. In the case of simple filing, use tools with an abrasiveness of 100 to 180 grit.

Cut or file: which is better?

Cutting your nails with scissors is highly discouraged. No matter how sharp, modern and professional they are, they will definitely create cracks on the surface of the plate, after which delamination will begin.

For cutting nails, it is better to prefer a nail clipper to scissors.

For this procedure, only nippers or a nail file are suitable ; together, these two tools also work well together. First, you should remove the excess section of the nail with clippers, and then use a rounded nail file to give the desired shape to the edges of the plate.

It will be better if you individually select clippers with blade lengths equal to the width of your nails.

Using clippers, do not completely cut off the entire free edge of the nail. First you need to get rid of the side parts and only then remove the central area.

You also need to be careful with nail files. The abrasive surface allows you to cut only in one direction, otherwise the edges will begin to delaminate. A fairly crude instrument can lead to such consequences.

Does the abrasiveness of nail files depend on the material?

As for the material from which nail files are usually made, it can be either artificial or natural.:

• Glass files are considered one of the best for correcting natural nails. And all because they do not cause any harm to the nails. In addition, such tools can be easily washed.
• Crystal manicure tools also cut very well. With them it is possible to create smooth and soft edges. Typically, such nails no longer require further polishing.

• Fabric files are usually flexible, and their middle part is synthetic, plastic or wood. This product is not cheap.
• Files with polyethylene foam are usually called buffs. They are needed for polishing. This tool is easy to clean and does not absorb water.
• There are also nail files with spraying. They are usually ceramic. With such tools you can create different shapes for your nails, as well as remove rough skin near the nails.

For example, it is worth considering the classification of files according to abrasive coating:

• If the file is covered with pomegranate particles, then, as a rule, it has a wooden frame. But such a manicure tool will not be cheap. In addition, garnet abrasive particles are not sharp, which means that the file will last a long time.
• The files are also coated with a silicon hybrid. As a rule, these are black-blue crystals with hard and sharp edges. With the help of such a nail file it is easy to give any shape.

• Silicon carbide is also used for coating. Due to the zinc coating, the entire surface of such a file will be smooth. In addition, there will be no near-abrasive depressions, which means that no dust will accumulate.
• Aluminum oxide crystals are not as sharp as those of the silicon hybrid. The file itself is hard and tough. In another way it is called a saw stone.

Base materials: files for home and professional manicure

When choosing a tool, you need to consider what material it is made of. This is also important for the quality of manicure, safety and hygiene.

Which files are suitable for which nails and conditions of use:

• Cardboard or foam.
  These files are suitable for natural nails, but quickly become frayed. They cannot be sterilized, so they can be used for personal purposes at home or need to be changed after each client.
• Wooden.
  As a rule, pedicure files and graters have a wooden base. When choosing, pay special attention to quality so that the abrasive part does not come off ahead of time.
• Metal.
  A well-known tool that is recommended to be used exclusively for pedicures or the treatment of thick nails. They are often small in size and not very convenient for professional work.
• Glass.
  These files are suitable for natural and artificial nails. They can withstand disinfection with disinfectant solutions, but require care as they break easily when dropped.
• Laser.
  A new type of tool for professional use. Files can have a plastic or metal base, but they differ in the structure of the abrasive and “seal” the nail. This makes the edge perfect - it does not flake, does not have burrs and is protected from water.

The method of processing depends on the material of the file.

Cardboard, foam and metal files with a plastic handle are manually cleaned of dust, wiped or sprayed with disinfectants.

Glass and all-metal instruments, as well as laser files, can be disinfected in a sterilizer or UV cabinet; wooden ones are treated with antiseptics. That is why they are suitable for salon manicures where hygiene and safety are important.

Types of sanding files for nails and polishing

No less important is the abrasiveness of the files for grinding the nail plate itself. After all, without this it is almost impossible to achieve impeccable nail beauty. Now there is a large selection of manicure tools used for these purposes.

Buffs

Buffs are shaped like bars. What is the abrasiveness of the buff? Often, each facet of the buff is used for its intended purpose: first there is grinding, then polishing, and everything must be done in a clear sequence. Any unevenness on the nails is eliminated using the side whose abrasiveness is less than the others; various defects can be eliminated with a side with small grains.

Also, buffs can have different bases. Manufacturers mainly opt for polyethylene foam. Also, suede or fabric is of special quality; in addition, they can easily be used to process long natural nails.

A buff for natural nails should not be low abrasive. This tool is most suitable for artificial plates. If you polish natural nails, it is advisable to be very careful. This must be done for the simple reason that polishing involves removing the top layer of the nail plate itself, resulting in its thinning.

Nail files

There is a huge variety of files for polishing nails, and their abrasiveness should also differ. A low degree is most suitable for processing artificial plates, but for natural ones it is best to take note of a soft tool.

If the file has 300–400 grit, this may mean that it is good for removing small irregularities on the nails. But if the indicator is from 900 to 1000, then with this tool you can achieve excellent shine.

SMART files: how are they different from regular files?

SMART files and buffs are among the TOP manicure tools. Their key difference from the rest is removable files.

Base files in the form of a boat, grater and straight narrow shape are made of surgical steel and have different lengths and widths. They are used together with disposable adhesive-based files, which are replaced after the client. A set of such attachments of different hardness will allow you to create a complete manicure.

SMART

the basis

SMART

premium

SMART

standard

How to choose an abrasive nail file?

It’s not always possible to come to the store and buy a nail file you like just because, for example, it’s pink. Here it is important to consider the thickness of the nail plate. To do this, press your thumb on the very tip of your index nail. What will we get? This way you can easily bend the nail without feeling any pain. This indicates that the nail has a thin structure. If it still hurts a little, but the plate itself does not bend, the nail is thick.

You can also determine the thickness by color. In this case, unpainted nails are brought to the light. A thick plate will appear cloudy, while a thin plate will appear translucent. Now let's get down to business. For thin nails, it is better to choose ceramic or glass files that will not contribute to delamination. Ceramic may slightly damage such a nail.

If the thickness is average, then you should pay attention to files for natural nails, the abrasiveness of which exceeds 120 grit. Those with thick nail plates can please themselves with metal files. This way you can choose the most suitable tool for yourself.

How to file a nail if you don’t have a file at hand

Sometimes you need to file your nail urgently. For example, it broke, delaminated. This can happen because the nails are too fragile and brittle. In this case, it makes sense to figure out what the problem is: perhaps you wear polish too often and do not allow the nail plate to recover, or your diet lacks protein and microelements, or you pay little attention to nail care. In any case, restoring nails is a long process, and a broken nail requires action right away.

It also happens that the nails are fine, but the edge may break off due to an impact. I often get hangnails on my nails from getting caught in the teeth of a zipper. And, although I try to carry a file in my purse, sometimes it happens that I don’t have it at hand.

There are fun ways to file a nail without a file, although, of course, this is just a temporary measure. So, they file their nails:

• ribbed side of the coin;
• asphalt;
• brick.

10 mistakes when using a nail file:

1. Purchasing a low-quality tool.
2. Using a nail file that is too rough.
3. Using only one file, while for high-quality filing you need 2-3 files of varying degrees of abrasiveness.
4. Filing painted nails. The density of the nail and the coating are different, hence the unpredictable effect of such treatment. However, if we are talking about the fact that the painted nail is broken, it is better to carefully file it.
5. Too frequent filing. I know that for some girls this turns into an obsessive habit. Don’t do this, because even the most careful filing always causes microtrauma to the nail plate.
6. Sawing in different directions. This way you can get peeling nails.
7. Filing wet nails. Water softens the nail plate and is injured when filing.
8. Cutting takes too long. If the nail is long, cut off the tip with a nail clipper. The gold standard for filing is no more than 10 file strokes on each side. This is what we should strive for.
9. Filing the edge of the nail too deeply.
10. Cleaning dirt from under the nails with the tip of a nail file. This can cause injury, and the wounds under the nail are very painful and take a long time to heal.

Any girl should know how to file her nails correctly. Science is not tricky, but without knowing the subtleties, even such a simple procedure can cause harm to yourself. This is why it is necessary to know and follow the rules.

Do you have your own favorite ways to file your nails? Let's discuss them!

Save to yourself: