Nails & Beauty Solutions Ltd Using Your File Correctly

Using Your File Correctly

It is quite difficult to try and explain how to use your file without physically demonstrating how. We hope you are able to understand these written instructions.

Correct use of the file is very important.

Correct use of the file is very important. In my time I have met many Nail Technicians on Conversion Courses whilst training. And to be quite honest not many of them held and used their files correctly.

Incorrect use of the file can cause damage and trauma to the natural nail.

Poor use of the file can also cause friction burns and discomfort. File abuse is unnecessary, especially if your are paying for a set of nails.

We have listed 5 important factors to consider when using your file

Use The Full Length Of The File

Your file is 7 inches long for a reason. You need to use the full 7" not just a couple of inches.

Hold Your File At The Very End

Hold your file at the very end with your finger and thumb. Let it drop like a pendulum. Whilst holding the file DON'T USE YOUR ELBOW joints to go back and forth, but use your WRIST.

Your wrist should be doing all the work. So practice this:

Hold your file at the very end and then using your wrist, move it from left to right.

LONG STROKES IN ONE DIRECTION AT A TIME

Long strokes in one direction at a time is good use of your file. You can change direction whenever you wish but try not to sea saw.

The correct filing directions should mimic a "kiss" or the letter "X". Try to strike the file diagonally across and diagonally down the surface of the nail extension. That is the action you need to learn.

The "X" file method could easily be misinterpreted. We don't mean to the left then to the right alternatively, we mean one direction for a series of long strokes. Sorry, it is hard to explain this as mention at the beginning of the this sheet.

NEVER SEE-SAW

See - Sawing is the most frequent mistake seen within the nail industry. It is common to see people using only an inch of their file and aggresive unnecessary see-sawing. This is incorrect and will almost certainly cause damage, trauma and pain. All that will be achieved is an aching hand by the user, friction burns and a lot of hard work with minimal results.

Phew! even thinking about it is tiring me out.

Don't Angle Your File

Never angle your file. Angling the file is also another common mistake when blending. Keep your file flat on the nail at all times. Angling the file is using the side of the file - this will only hack into the nail like a saw and file ridges and dips in the nail and extension.

BLENDING NAIL TIPS WITH YOUR FILE

Tips For Blending

Dont concentrate on the seam line. Don't angle the file or see-saw however tempting it may be. KEEP THAT FILE FLAT.

Try to blend the sides first. Don't panic if at first you feel you have not got anywhere: progress will come with confidence.

Move onto the centre (don't worry if the sides are not fully blended). Try not to concentrate on the "seam line", but blend the well area. By concentrating on the well area you are less likely to hit the natural nail and will be filing just below the line. Long strokes in one direction at a time is needed. You can swap directions - but don't see-saw.

If you had problems blending the sides you will find that when you go back to the sides that the blending now needed is minimum.

Remember use long motions when blending, keep the file flat, use your wrist for movement not your elbow/arm and concentrate on the well area not the seam line.

LEARN TO RECOGNISE WHERE YOUR FILE IS GOING -UNTIL THIS IS ACHIEVED DAMAGE WILL OCCUR.