What Is The Importance Of Filing Acrylic Nails?


Acrylic nails can be a great way to add length and shape to your manicure, but they can be annoying if they are too long. You can file your acrylic nails at home between salon visits to save time and money.

Can You File Acrylic Nails Yourself?

You can certainly file them yourself, but you’ll need a coarser grit file than you’d use for natural nails, probably around 180 grit.

File the acrylic as close to the natural nail as possible with an electric file. Then soak the nail in 100% pure acetone to soften the hard acrylic. Then, using a metal scraper, scrape away any remaining acrylic on the nail.

Is It Necessary To File Acrylic Nails?

Yes, you should file acrylic nails after they have been applied if they become too long due to natural nail growth. Filing is necessary to ensure that you always have the perfect shape and length. When performing acrylic maintenance, most people will file their nails.

The main distinction between shortening natural nails and shortening acrylic nails is that natural nails grow back. If you cut the acrylics too short, you’ll have to live with the length until your next appointment. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s something to keep in mind as you file the acrylics.

When you begin to file the nails, go slowly until you reach the desired length. Consider that if the nails are styled in a specific shape, you will have to either re-file the shorter nails into that shape or choose a new shape to file them into.

If you have long coffin nails, for example, even a small filing will change the shape. As a result, you must be able to use a file to recreate the shape once you have reached the desired length. You can also shape it into a square or round shape by filing it down a lot.

You can use the same technique to file your nails regardless of their shape. To begin, remove any excess acrylic by filing it down. This means you won’t need any of the nails for the new shape and design on the nail. The following step is to begin shaping the nail with an e-file, which is an electric nail file.

The technique will differ slightly depending on the shape you want to achieve. When shaping the angles on the nail, make sure to use quick and precise movements. You will need to file the acrylic down until you achieve the desired shape.

The next step is to go over the nail’s tops and sides. This is done to finish the shape and ensure the nail is completely smooth. If you’re working with an e-file, you should also think about changing the tip for this step. In general, you should file the top and both sides of the nail. Lastly, you can finish by using a regular nail file to do any touch-ups and smooth the edges.

How Do You Get Rid Of Acrylic Nails?

Acrylic removal is time-consuming. Some people may be tempted to pick or pull the acrylic off if they believe it isn’t working.

But keep in mind that the acrylic is on top of your natural nail, which you don’t want to damage.

First Step:

Trim Your Nails. We despise losing the length of our natural nails beneath, but now is the time to keep them short so you can manage them at home. To dissolve the acrylic, soak your nails in acetone. Shorter extensions require less product to dissolve and allow for easier, faster removal.

Second Step:

Acetone Should Be Warmed Up. Fill a bowl halfway with acetone. Make certain that it is deep enough to cover your entire nail. Put that bowl inside a larger bowl of warm water. This water will heat up the acetone, causing it to dissolve the acrylic faster (imagine the gentle warming action of a double boiler).

Third Step:

Acetone evaporates quickly after being soaked. Cover your hand and bowl with a towel to slow the process down. Soak for about 5 to 8 minutes.

Fourth Step:

When you see the acrylic begin to swell, this indicates that the acetone has begun to penetrate the acrylic, it’s time to begin filing.

A coarser file removes acrylic more easily than a finer one. File the nail in one direction only. Back and forth sawing will clog your nail file with acrylic, rendering it useless.

Fifth Step:

While filing, you’ll notice that the acrylic has dried up and is no longer sticky. That’s your cue that you’ve reached an acrylic level that hasn’t been penetrated by the acetone. Begin the process again by soaking.

Because some people’s acrylics are thicker than others, the number of times you’ll repeat them varies. But, on average, four or five times.

Sixth Step:

Look for matte finishes. Because acrylic is clear, it can be difficult to tell when you’ve removed all of it. Take your hand out of the acetone, if there is any remaining acrylic, there will be shiny spots. The gleam is the product. This isn’t the shine of a buffed nail. There will be a contrast between the remaining acrylic and your nail’s matte finish.

Related Questions

Is it possible to reshape acrylic nails at home?

You can shape them with an emery board or cut them to the desired shape with clippers and file the edges to refine them. Some shapes may require you to grow the nail out before reshaping it.

Is a nail drill required when doing acrylic nails?

Filing the nail bed removes oil and roughens the surface so that the acrylic can properly adhere to the natural nail. But you don’t have to use a drill to accomplish this; a hand file can achieve the same results without causing damage or soreness.

Conclusion

Acrylic nails can be an exciting way to add length to your nails, but too much length can interfere with your daily life.

Filing down your acrylics between appointments can therefore make your life easier. You can use either an electric or a hand file, but make sure to use a coarse grit for the best results.

Once you’re happy with the length, you can enjoy beautiful nails without worrying about scratching yourself.