E-File Mastery: Bit Choice, Speed Control and Safeguarding the Nail Bed
Electric files can be transformative in skilled hands. They speed up product removal, refine shapes with precision and create room for meticulous cuticle work. They can also thin plates, generate heat and trigger onycholysis if used carelessly. Training is non-negotiable, and UK industry standards caution against using an e-file directly on the natural nail plate unless you have specific advanced training, with strict attention to protecting surrounding skin.
Know your bits and what they are for
Think by function first, not by marketing name. Diamond bits are abrasive coatings suited to keratin and skin refinements such as gentle cuticle exfoliation or smoothing lifted product. Carbide and ceramic fluted bits cut product cleanly and throw larger chips when used correctly, which reduces dust re-aerosolisation compared with inefficient abrading. Safety bits with a rounded cap help you work close to the eponychium without accidental gouging. Keep a small tapered diamond for lateral folds, a medium barrel or five-in-one carbide for bulk removal and refinement, a mandrel with 180–240 grit bands for prep and finishing, and a slim cone for under-free-edge detailing. Treat bits as metal tools that require proper cleaning and high-level disinfection between clients.
Speed that serves the service
RPM is not a badge of honour. Match speed to the task and to your machine’s torque so the bit cuts without pressure. As a practical rule of thumb from pro education: 1,000–5,000 rpm for light nail prep with a sanding band, 5,000–10,000 rpm for delicate cuticle work with diamond bits, 10,000–15,000 rpm for general refinement on overlays, and 15,000–35,000 rpm for efficient bulk removal of gel or acrylic and for reducing thickness. Work within the lower end of each range until your control is flawless. High speed without torque control invites heat and chatter.
Technique that prevents heat and leverage
Friction and leverage are the enemies. Heat is created when a bit dwells, when pressure replaces cutting, or when a too-coarse surface abrades thin keratin. Keep the bit moving with light contact, work in passes rather than parking, and let the tool do the cutting. Hold the handpiece parallel to the nail surface to avoid edges digging in. When refining near the apex or over the lunula, reduce speed and pressure because vibration here can upset the delicate matrix area. If you e-file under an enhancement to tidy curl, proceed with extreme care to avoid the hyponychium. Overheating and aggressive filing can precipitate onycholysis by damaging and lifting the plate from the bed.
Bit selection, direction and pressure
Choose flute size and bit geometry based on the job. A medium five-in-one carbide lets you switch from product reduction on the body of the nail to finer refinement near the cuticle using the same bit tip, which reduces tool changes and the temptation to overwork. Use forward or reverse to cut away from the sidewall you are addressing, which stabilises the cut and lowers the risk of slips into living tissue. If you hear pitch changes or feel vibration, reassess. Vibration signals poor contact, a clogged or worn bit, or too much speed for the task.
Preventing onycholysis in practice
Onycholysis is the separation of the plate from the bed. It occurs for many reasons, including mechanical trauma, heat from friction, allergic responses to products and medical conditions. Your job is to avoid the mechanical triggers and to recognise red flags early. Reduce product length and thickness on clients who are hard on their hands to lower leverage forces on the free edge. Never coat over existing onycholysis with weighty products, since even small knocks can worsen the detachment. Advise daily nail oil to support re-adhesion and reassess at each visit. If you see sudden unexplained separation, new yellowing under the plate, recurrent “greenies” or chalky white patches that do not respond to product changes, pause services and signpost the client to a GP, since fungal infection, allergy or thyroid disease may be in play.
Natural nail etiquette
Modern systems need minimal nail plate abrasion. Heavy prep creates cumulative thinning, increases heat sensitivity during gel curing and raises the risk of plate damage. Where e-file prep is used, keep to slow speeds with fine abrasives and a low-vibration handpiece. If you are not specifically trained to e-file the plate, default to gentle manual prep and a white block buffer.
Dust, ventilation and compliance
E-files create a larger proportion of fine, invisible dust that can linger in the air and reach deep into the lungs, which makes control measures essential. Combine source capture ventilation at the desk with room dilution ventilation, maintain extractor filters, wipe surfaces with a damp method and use well-fitting eye protection and gloves appropriate to your products. UK salons must control exposure under COSHH, and official guidance highlights practical measures and the need to assess risk. Laboratory tests from NIOSH show that local exhaust systems can cut exposures by at least half, and state regulators recommend specific airflow targets and vented tables for new stations. These controls protect both staff and clients and will be looked for by insurers and local authorities.
Machine, bits and maintenance checklist
Pick a handpiece with low run-out and good torque, since a stable cut at lower rpm is safer than chasing speed. Replace bits when you notice increased heat, dust or pressure required for the same task. Clean, ultrasonic where appropriate, then disinfect according to the manufacturer’s IFU and your local infection control policy. Single-use sanding bands are exactly that. Document your process in your salon SOPs.
Triage and signposting
Stop and reassess if you see: distal lifting that worsens despite lighter techniques, proximal lifting near the lunula, sudden plate crumbling, discolouration that persists after product removal, or pain with filing at low speeds and pressure. Signpost to a GP or podiatrist. NHS guidance advises medical review for unexplained nail shape or colour change and for suspected infection, with urgent attention for clients with diabetes or who are immunocompromised. Resume services only once the cause is confirmed and you have a plan that will not aggravate the condition.
A working protocol you can adopt today
Consult first, then choose your bit and speed with intent. For removals, shorten and reduce bulk at 15,000–25,000 rpm with a medium carbide, keeping the bit moving and parallel. Refine at 10,000–12,000 rpm, then switch to a fine diamond at 6,000–8,000 rpm to soften product near the eponychium. For prep, use a 180–240 grit sanding band at 1,000–3,000 rpm with a feather touch, or manual methods if you are not plate-trained. Throughout, use source capture ventilation, eye protection and a light grip to minimise pressure and heat. Log what you used, what you observed and how the client felt so you can adjust next time.
