Pros and Cons to using a drill for nails

[kel's25]

hi guys im thinking of training in using the drill for nail enhancements, what are your views and opinion, pros and cons. also do you know of any good places in essex for drill training xx

 

[Natalieabdn]

I use one from time to time but only ever to remove the bulk when doing a bebalance and NEVER go near the natural nail, go for a good quality one, i use a Kupa electric file and i find it works well.

If a electric file is used properly then i don't how it can cause any harm, i have seen badly damaged nails due to miss use of an ordinary nail file, so it's all about how you use it.

xx

 

[Unique Nails09]

Hello there! I use a kupa drill - I mainly specialise in sculptured nails so for me its an important piece of equipment. I only use it to drill underneath the nails to thin them out and to drill in my 'well' when doing backfills. Its also quite handy to use for creating nail art - I drill off a diagonal corner and fill it in with coloured acrylic to produce a triangle on the corner of each tip.

I have seen customers nails that have been damaged with electric drill use - i.e when the drill has been used on the natural nail (eeeek!!!!!) this on many has caused irrepairable damage like 'rings of fire' etc.

They can be quite danagerous if used incorrectly and there is definately a skill to master in using one competently. The key is to NEVER hold the drill bit in the same spot on the nail for more than a milisecond - CARNAGE!

I did a drilling course at NSI, but bought a second hand drill from ebay to practice on my own nails at home (wouldn't recommend using a second hand drill on a customer!)

xx

 

[Mieke]

I think it´s a great asset to incorporate in your service. it helps to speed up the process. shortening nails down for example goes really fast, especially if you have customers that wait 6 to 7 weeks to come back :lol:
I´m not a big fan though from prepping the nail with a sanding band i think you take away more layers of the nailplate then necesairy to maken the product adhere.

 

[spn01]

I have a drill, When a client comes in with really thick nails I use it to debulk the enhancement and then continue as per normal with my hand file. I never use it on the natural nail. I helpful tool, but not one I use every day.

 

[uniq12u]

After receiving your training, an e-file can be a very helpful tool and IMO a must. It will help also in not wearing your body out. I use to do only hand filing until my shoulder just couldn't take it anymore. Now, I just don't know how I did all that. If you know how to use an e-file correctly no permanent harm will come to your clients. Getting a good performing e-file and using the correct bits to do what you want is very important. There are some bits that are specifically designed to use on or around the natural nail. Whoever sells you an e-file should know and be sure to ask them lots of questions.

 

[winemom]

Uniq12U - I have a very good efile, but am sooo confused as to what drill bits to use for what areas - there does not seem to be any training for efiles - can you help me with what drill bits you use?? thanks

 

[geeg]

A nail drill is certainly not a 'must' by any means. If it were I wouldn't have been doing nails by hand for 25 years.

You can go two ways:

1. Do perfect nails with your brush and spend very little time finishing by hand or,

2. Do imperfect nails with your brush and spend more time filing with an efile.

It is completely misguiding to say a drill is a must have item, that is just one person's opinion not a fact. It all depends on whether you employ good effective techniques by hand and how you work. The better you work with your brush, the less you have to file ... end of story.

I can easily clip off excess length faster than drill it down and with allot less mess ... I personally would never use a drill to shorten the length. Who needs the dust? Who needs the mess? I do not make thick enhancements so I do not need to spend any time to de-bulk that which is not bulky in the first place.

There is always more than one way of doing things. The skilful way using effective techniques and talent or the less skilled way and use a drill to correct the over use of product or a less than skilful application. Both work for the end result, but one will break down faster than the other .. I'll leave you to guess which one.

 

[uniq12u]

IMO using an e-file to take down product and length is a must. This keeps the nail from getting thick (no matter how thin you apply, doing fills applys more product) and it helps should you get a nail or two not shaped exactly right. Some product will crack if you cut it to take down length so an e-file helps with that. Dependng on what product you use, some will have more dust than others. I use a buffer to finish file. As always use what works best for you!!

Winemom - sorry for the delay in replying back to you. So much going on with the holidays. I've been using swiss carbide bits and love them. One is cone shaped and is designed to be used around the cuticle area w/o having to worrying about hurting the client or creating rings of fire. Really cleans up that area quite well and it shaves off the product so you can take down the thickness before applying more product. The other one I use is an X cut bit. I use it for gel because the gel doesn't get gummed up in it as much as the other bit. Not sure where you can find these in your area. If you want the information where I get mine, send me a PM and I'll give you the link.

Recently saw a post from Vicki Peters that she has a new book/dvd for sale on information about e-files, bits, how to use, etc. Might check that out. Here is her link:

www.vickipeters.com

 

[winemom]

Thanks so much uniq12u - I live in new hampshire - if you could let me know where I can get those bits I would love to try them. Thanks, winemom