There are many reasons it’s important to care for our nails beyond the cosmetic. Nail care contributes to our overall health and wellness, and a few minutes of care a day can ensure that your nails continue to grow strong and healthy for many years to come.
Properly maintained nails make for cleaner and long-lasting manicures, and keeping your nails safe and protected will help to reduce the risk of infections or irritations of the nails and nail beds.
One of the essential steps you’ll want to take when it comes to nail care is filing. It’s easy to keep a file on hand and a good file can prevent breakage, damage, or cracks with a few simple movements.
Nailboo is here to help you find the tools and resources you need for long-term nail care and support. We believe high-quality, long-lasting manicures should be available to everyone, which is why we carry easy-to-use nail dip kits that provide salon-quality manicures without the salon-quality prices.
Whether you’re looking for a stylish new manicure or tips and tricks for keeping your nails strong and clean, we have what you need. Check out our growing library of guides and tutorials on nail care, like the best ways to file your nails, and begin creating the perfect nail care routine for your needs with ease.
Why Is Filing Your Nails Important?
You might be wondering if adding regular filing to your routine is worth the extra time, but the truth is that there are many benefits to filing your nails and knowing how to follow the filing process properly. Here are just a few of the reasons you’ll want to pick up a high-quality file today.
It Keeps Them From Breaking
Proper nail care is one of the best ways to keep your nails strong and healthy, and filing is an essential step. The stronger your nails are, the less likely they are to break or crack, which means you’ll be able to maintain healthy and strong nails for a long time to come.
It Helps You Maintain Size and Shape
When it comes to keeping your nails a uniform style and size, a file is one of the most important tools you can have on hand. Whether you like long, stiletto-shaped nails or you’re all about the short, square style, a nail file will ensure they continue to look stylish and clean.
It Alleviates Discomfort
There’s nothing quite like a hangnail or uneven edge to really cause annoyance and frustration throughout the day, and that’s where having a nail file can really help.
It’s a simple, but useful way to remove jagged edges, which means you don’t have to worry about your nails catching or snagging on clothing or materials. It’s also a much safer and more effective way to deal with hangnails than biting them off or cutting them with large scissors.
It Reduces the Risk of Infection
We use our hands for a lot of different activities throughout the day and that means they’re exposed to potential pathogens and irritations more often than other parts of our body. That’s just one of the reasons that routine nail care is so essential.
By removing hangnails and jagged edges properly, you reduce the risk of breaking the nail or damaging the skin around it, which lowers your risk of developing inflammation or infection and helps to keep your nails safe.
It Makes Them Look Nice
Of course, there’s always the cosmetic benefit, as well. Not only can routine filing help to keep your nails the same shape and size, but it’s also useful for maintaining smoothness and clean edges, as well. Whether you love the nude nail look or you’re ready to dazzle with the next metallic, neon, or marble nail design, a simple, routine file will make your nails look nice every time.
How To File Your Nails Properly
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to nail care and we’re not always taught the best approaches for strong and healthy nails. Check out Nailboo’s guide to filing your nails to know the best steps to follow.
Always Use the Right Tools
One of the most important steps you can take when caring for your nails is to pick out good tools. High-quality tools don’t have to break the bank, but they’ll go a long way when it comes to getting the style you deserve and to keeping your nails strong and healthy.
Even if you’re planning to go to a salon for your next manicure, it’s helpful to have your own set of nail tools, to reduce the risk of infection and to ensure you’re getting the best possible care. If you find a file you really like, consider picking up a spare for the purse or car.
Pick Your Shape
It’s a good idea to have a sense of what you want out of your next look before you begin. Getting a smooth and even shape can be a little challenging, especially when you’re just starting out, so it can be helpful to go in with a plan.
You’ll also want to consider picking some of the shorter and simpler nail shapes and styles because it’s easier to achieve that uniform look across your whole set.
Cut Before Filing
If you’re looking to get short nails, it can be tempting to file them all the way down, but you’ll actually want to take the steps to cut your nails short before you begin filing. Not only does this save you time and energy, but it helps to protect the integrity of the nail, so it remains strong and healthy.
Avoid Filing Back and Forth
Our instinct may be to file back and forth on our nails in a sawing motion, but it’s actually a nail filing myth. In truth, this action can cause damage to the nail and leave your nail feeling jagged and torn at the edges. You always want to skip the saw motions when filing your nails
File Inward
A good rule of thumb is to think of your nail as having two sections, and you want to bring those two sections together to meet. This will help you to achieve that completely uniform style for whatever your favorite nail shape may be. It’s always better to start filing at the edge of your nail and work your file inward from both sides to ensure an even look.
Face Forward
It may seem a little counterintuitive, but you actually want to have your nails facing you when you file, as if someone else is performing the manicure. This will help to ensure you get smooth, even lines and give you more control during your manicure.
Get the Edges
Don’t forget the edges! Of course, filing is all about the tips, but you want to make sure you run your file under the edge of your nail, in case there are any uneven edges that could snag or catch. Be careful not to get too close to the skin and always use gentle movements.
Take Your Time
Filing your nails properly can take time and practice, so it’s always best to be patient, especially when you’re just getting started. Give yourself enough time to get even, uniform shapes and styles at the right length and to keep your nails strong and healthy.
Time To Get Filing
When it’s time to take care of your nails, filing is just one step, but it’s an important one. There are many reasons you’ll want to integrate filing into your regular nail care habits. It can help to keep your nails strong, give an even, uniform nail style, and even protect your nails from potential infections or irritants.
It’s easy to get started. When filing your nails, make sure you use good tools, that you start outward and work in, and that you avoid any sawing motions with the nail file. You want to pick your shape and cut your nails before you begin the filing process and give yourself plenty of time to get it right.
Nailboo is here to help with all of your nail filing and nail care needs. We carry a wide inventory of cool nail products, including easy-to-use dip polish kits, and we’re sharing all we’ve learned about manicures, nail care, and getting strong nails. Explore our library to find the best resources, tools, and information you need for your next manicure.
Sources:
Fingernails: Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Nails | Mayo Clinic
Tips for Healthy Nails | American Academy of Dermatology Association
The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Nail Shape | Harper’s Bazaar
