High-quality nail files and buffers are two important tools for nail care. Both instruments are used for shortening, rounding and polishing artificial nails made of gel or acrylic as well as natural nails. Nail files and buffers with sandpaper, which is applied to a padded surface in various grit sizes, are particularly popular. The padding gives way gently when filing and is easy and comfortable to use.
Which grit size for file and buffer?
There are a variety of files available on the market that have different grain sizes. This is given in the unit grit and marked by corresponding numbers on the nail file or its packaging. This unit indicates how many grains there are in one square centimeter of the file. The smaller the number, the fewer, but larger, grains there are on the file. These files are coarse and sharp, they are used when a lot of material needs to be removed and have a value of around 80 , for example. Finer files have smaller but more grit per square centimeter and are suitable for gentler sanding and have a value of 240 , for example. A file often has two different grits on both sides (coarse and fine) - these are both specified, for example in the form 180/240 . Polishing files are particularly fine and are suitable for the final polishing of the nail. They can have very fine grain sizes around 4000 .
Finding the right file – this is how it works!
Our nail designer Stefanie will explain to you how to find the right nail file and what requirements the product should meet. This is not just about the grit, but also about the area of application of your file, because natural and gel nails place different demands on the file and buffer.
ND24: What files do you use?
Nail designer Stefanie: In the studio I use sandpaper files that are straight and wide. Most of the time they have a grain size of 100/180 .
ND24: What requirements do the files have to meet?
Nail designer Stefanie: If nail files are used in the studio, they should be washable and disinfectable or you should use disposable files to avoid infections caused by the transfer of bacteria or fungal spores. It's important to me that the files fit well in the hand, because after all, you work with them every day. There are different shapes from wide to straight, curved (banana shape) to trapezoid shape.
ND24: Do I have to choose different files for natural and gel nails?
Nail designer Stefanie: To protect your natural nail, you should work with a finer grit. A file with a coarse grain can damage the sensitive natural nail. You can use coarser files for gel nails, as they allow you to remove more material. Here you would simply need too much time with a fine grain.
Buffer or polishing block: special tool for beautiful nails
The buffer is a special tool that is primarily used by nail designers. This sanding block is mainly used to gently remove grooves and other unevenness on a nail and thus create an attractive overall appearance. Furthermore, depending on the grain size, the buffer is also suitable for filing. The buffers can either have the same grit all around or have a different grit number on each side, so that the right grit can be found for every requirement.
When do I use the buffer?
A fine-grained buffer can be used to gently smooth out slight grooves on natural nails as a base for nail polish or shellac and to stimulate blood circulation and thus healthy nail growth through the gentle massage - these particularly fine-grained specimens are also called polishing blocks . Coarser files can otherwise cause too much damage to the sensitive nail, explains nail designer Stefanie. Buffers are also used to slightly roughen the nail before gel modeling, also known as matting, so that the products have a better hold. After the modeling layer has been applied, it can also be “buffered” again to achieve an even and smooth result, says the expert.
• Natural nail smoothing for nail polish & Shellac
• Mattify natural nails before gel modeling
• Smooth the modeling layer for an even result
Which file for soft nails?
In principle, sand files are preferable to sharp-edged metal or glass files, which can otherwise damage sensitive nails. In general, thick nails can be processed with a coarser file, while a finer nail file is recommended for thin nails - otherwise the nails can tear painfully and infections can result. To avoid damage, you should use a fine grit for soft nails and only work on the nails when they are dry and not soaked.
Our expert tips: File nails properly
Choose a sand file that suits the needs of your nails and only file in one direction, otherwise you run the risk of tearing the nail, recommends nail designer Stefanie. It's best to move the file from the outer edge of the nail inwards. The movement is in the direction of growth of the natural nail, i.e. from top (nail surface) to bottom (fingertip). When filing your nail shape, make sure that you smooth out all corners and edges evenly so that they do not tear or get caught on textiles, bags or other materials. Also make sure never to build up too much pressure, otherwise you could damage the nail, warns the expert.
Hygiene for files and buffers
Since the files and buffers come into direct contact with the customer's nail, they can transmit infections and fungal diseases, explains nail designer Stefanie. That's why she relies on nail file sets that offer several products in different grit sizes. Each file and each buffer is only used for one customer. The nail expert recommends creating individual envelopes for regular customers in which each customer's files and buffers are stored. These envelopes should be labeled and kept sealed until the next use. If you don't want to change your file, you should use a product that can be disinfected and cleaned.
“Defuse” files and buffers before using them for the first time - note from nail designer Stefanie:
Before you use a new file or buffer, you should “defuse” it. During production there may be sharp edges, especially at the edges, which can lead to injuries. To defuse files and buffers, simply grind them over another file or buffer and thus round off the sharp edges.