Updated by Alyssa Bueno on September 11, 2024 Hand filing is a time-consuming yet crucial part of nail prep, don't you agree? Today, technology has made e-file or electric nail files possible. It goes by many names, such as nail drill and manual nail file. If you're a beginner in nail tech, the e-file should be a part of your nail tech essentials since it helps you cater to your clients efficiently. Nail drills like our One Pro Portable make nail prep or nail art designing effortless. This guide will answer questions like what an e-file for nails is. What are the uses of an e-file? What are the benefits of using an e-file? Read on to find out more! What is an E-File? E-file also known as nail drill, it's a high-tech rotary tool used by nail techs to file nails as part of the nail prep process. Nail techs use e-files to make the work faster and easier. An acrylic nail drill is used with "drill bits," which have different shapes and sizes for various purposes. You can learn more about this with our drill bit guide here! Our One Pro Portable & Wireless E-file is a stylish and practical cordless nail drill for professionals and amateurs alike to use at home, in the salon, or for those always on the go! It comes in three shades: rose gold, teal, and white! This electronic nail file features a special LED Logo light-up screen so that you can look your best while attending to your manicure requirements. It's a powerful handpiece that reaches speeds of up to 35,000 RPM while producing less vibration thanks to its thin body (.73 inches in diameter). Take it from our iGel Beauties who love our One Pro E-file, here's a testimonial from Stephanie!, "I've been wanting to learn nail-teching for awhile now. I'm a licensed cosmetologist but lack practice and an e-file. Since I knew I was making a career change I knew I wanted to start with a pro e-file. I've used it for the first time and it's awesome! Extremely quiet, powerful, and virtually no vibration in the handpiece until you go to the highest speeds. Which was minimal and not speeds I foresee using often. I'm really happy my friend recommended iGel!"- Stephanie Another testimonial about our One Pro E-file to take note of, "It's so convenient and nice to use. The colors are really pretty too, and I'm glad I could get it at the price I got it at!"- Eh D How to use an E-File? 1. Nail Prep- The first thing you have to do when doing nail art is prep, and one way you can do that is by filing and cleaning your client's nails. Watch out for invisible cuticles, calluses and lifting on the nail beds when doing so. 2. Buffing or shaping- Another crucial step is removing the shine on the nails to make the polish or manicure last longer. It also depends on your client what nail shape they want for their nail art, so buffing is one way to shape the nails of your clients to their desired shape from square to stiletto nails. 3. Trimming - It is essential to trim your client's nail length, especially if you're doing nail art on short nails. Using an e-file can help cut and shape the nails better than a hand file. You can use it both on your hands and toes. 4. Smoothing- To help you work on a clean and smooth canvas, you need to use an e-file drill to smoothen any rough surfaces that can hinder your masterpiece. A smooth surface makes it easier to work with acrylic or manicure. Parts of an E-File: 1. Handpiece One of the essential parts of the e-file is the handpiece since it's mainly the tool you will use. The handpiece is shaped like a pen, where the drill bit is inserted. You must remove and replace the dummy drill bit piece with the actual drill bit before using it on your client's nails. 2. Control Box The control box is where the essential functions are; aside from storing power, it has the switch buttons to control the speed, and an LCD that shows you the level of intensity of torque you're using. When nail technicians do their own hands, they sometimes switch their gears to reverse (for example, right-handed nail technicians do their left hand). Therefore, you will see on the LED screen if your e-file is on forward or reverse. When the setting is at a neutral state, the e-file will not move. iGel Beauty e-files are built for right and left-handed nail techs or users, so you don't have to worry about switching. Does the E-File have accessories? Our One Pro & Wireless E-file has accessories you must use with our nail drill effectively. Here are the accessories our e-file has you should take note of! You can check out our unboxing video of our e-file by iGel Beauty Cam Clark in this link! • Dummy Drill Bit Piece This metallic piece keeps the dust out of your e-file when you're not using it. The dummy drill bit is there as a substitute for your actual drill bit. To remove the dummy drill bit, turn the silver part of the e-file counterclockwise, and once you hear the click sound, it is already unlocked. • Charger The charger is essential since you will need it to charge your e-file after a long day. It would be best if you always have the charger for your e-file, whether working in your home nail salon or as a mobile nail tech. • Acrylic Stand The iGel Beauty acrylic stand has a minimalist design for your e-file device and a handpiece rest clip-on. An acrylic stand for your e-file is efficient since you don't have to worry about where to place them in between working hours. • Handpiece Rest Clip-On The handpiece rest clip-on is attached to the side of the electronic file. In order to maintain order and keep everything neatly stored away, the handpiece can be stored within the rest clip-on while it is not being used. Common mistakes when using an E-File 1. Wrong speed Your e-file speed starts at 3; it doesn't mean that it would be the optimum slow setting for applying pressure. The RPM would go up to 35, and it all depends on personal preference and comfort level between the nail tech and the client when using the e-file. The last thing you want to do is damage your clients' nails and risk your e-file being broken for misuse. If you are unsure about what you're comfortable with, try out the slowest setting and work your way up. Again, your speed will depend on your comfort level with the e-file, directly affecting how well you can control it. For example, if you hear a stuttered-pitched buzzing sound when your buffer touches the nail, you may need to switch your setting again. Please don't get too obsessed with a single RPM number because it's not a good indicator of power. 2. Overcharging If your e-file is too hot to handle, then, it's overheating. It's an indicator you're using it wrong or it has faulty features. Avoid overcharging your e-file to prevent it from overheating and having a quick-draining battery. For e-files, it would be best to charge them a maximum of 2 hours since anything excess is not good. iGel Beauty e-files are designed to avoid overheating, and they're reliable for long-term usage. 3. Loose or wobbly bits If your drill bits are making weird sounds, it may be telling you that it needs to be more secure. There is a lock (left) and an unlock symbol (right). After two clicks, check if it is locked or unlocked, try to pull out the drill bit or dummy drill bit piece. If it does not move around, your piece is secured. Remember, If the bits aren't placed correctly, they become unstable. Pro Tip! "Fulcrum Finger". If you're feeling shaky (it isn't the bit), try sticking your pinky out like you're having a tea party. However, your pinky should be braced on something like your other hand for stability. 4. Your drill bit is hard to use Is your drill bit jumping and skipping, but not in a good way? This may be because you are pressing down too hard. It would cause the drill bit to hop, skip, or completely stop. Rule of thumb: If you want to keep it in a lower RPM setting, we suggest increasing the repetition time of your drill movement from side to side and controlling your comfort level with the handpiece. Alternatively, you may use the hand buffer if you're uncomfortable with the lower setting. 5. Accidentally splashing your e-file with water Any nail salon tools and equipment should be placed in a safe and dry area. If you accidentally drop or splash water on your e-file, you must act quick! Also, never use nail products to clean it, such as acetone, since it will damage the surface of the tools. Instead, keep it dry, and only use a soft cloth or brush when cleaning it. 6. Using the nail drill on natural nails This is a big no-no! You can't use the e-file on natural nails, whether yours or a client's, since it will cause significant damage to the nail beds. Instead, e-files are used for removing shine and prepping for acrylic, gel, or any manicure nail sets. Benefits of using an E-File • Makes the prepping or removing process easier Yes, our One Pro-E-files are designed to streamline your nail art processes, and they come with accessories to make it even more effortless. • Portable Since it's portable, you can bring our One Pro E-files anywhere! You don't have to worry whether it's bulky or heavy since it's designed to be lightweight and has a sleek minimalist design. • Flexible The One Pro E-file is multipurpose; you can use it to shape nails and help decorate your nail art designs! Once you master the nail drill, you can expertly use this efficient tool for any nail task! • Investment as a nail tech or for nail lovers The nail drill is an investment since it's a must-have for every nail tech! Aside from having the ordinary nail files or buffer kits, it's nice to have an e-file to use long-term • Time-saver You don't have to manually file your client's nails, making the process time-consuming for you and your client. After all, time is money for being a nail tech. Our One Pro-E-files are an excellent investment for your nail tech journey or hobby, and nail drills should be your must-have tool when you're always on the go! We have varieties of e-files that are aesthetically pleasing and, at the same time, efficient to use. You're welcome to join our iGel Beauty Facebook community for more tips and tricks from fellow Beauties!
