Buffs for nails: types, selection and use

One of those tools that allow you to achieve the perfect appearance of nails is buff - a special kind of file with a number of notable features. Due to the many types of this device, it can be used in a variety of situations, often requiring extreme accuracy from the performer. It is not difficult to achieve the optimal result using the buff: it is enough to make the right choice of this tool and adhere to the basic recommendations for its use.

The first feature that distinguishes a buff from a regular file is its shape. Most often, it looks like an elongated block (parallelepiped) with a large area of ​​working surfaces. The materials from which such devices are made are also noteworthy: due to their properties, they gently act on the nail plates, and therefore are successfully used to solve the most delicate tasks.

In addition to giving the nails a spectacular shine, the device in question can be used to form outlines and high-quality grinding of the processed plates. The latter procedure is especially important: it provides for the elimination of a wide variety of surface defects, and therefore provides high-quality adhesion and prolonged wearing of decorative coatings.It is worth mentioning the versatility of buffs, allowing you to use them not only in specialized salons, but also at home.

As for the working resource of the described tools, it is in a fairly wide range. Depending on the specifics of the situation and personal preferences, the performer can use both single and reusable buffs.

Today, manufacturers offer nail buffs with two, three or four work surfaces. The latter option is considered the most universal, as it allows you to solve the widest range of tasks.

Often, such tools have numbered faces, so that a suitable work surface is selected with the least time:

• the first, designed to give the nails the desired shape;
• the second, through which eliminate the irregularities of the processed plates;
• the third, providing high-quality grinding;
• the fourth, with which the nails are polished to a shine.

Another criterion on the basis of which various types of buffs are distinguished is the composition of the working surface. It may involve the use of many materials, the most popular of which are as follows.

• Polyethylene foam. The most popular option, equally successfully used by both specialists in salons and non-professionals at home. First of all, this is explained by the resistance to wear and the affordable cost of tools made from this material. Another obvious advantage of polyethylene foam buffs is ease of care and the possibility of regular disinfection, which does not damage the tool.

• Suede leather. A distinctive feature of such devices is the presence of a handle, providing maximum ease of use. As described above, suede buffs are used in salons and at home, and their main disadvantage is the difficulty of disinfection, which involves the use of a special cabinet.

• The cloth. The use of this material makes the tools light and flexible, which naturally affects the ease of use. Such devices are very delicate, and therefore experts recommend using them for polishing thin natural nails. There are two drawbacks to fabric devices - the impossibility of complete disinfection in the absence of special equipment and the relatively high price.

Practice shows that the latest variety of buffs allows you to polish your nails at maximum speed. In addition, the use of a fabric tool is justified in situations where it is necessary to achieve the ideal quality of the processed surface.

Particular attention should be paid to the surface features of the instruments in question, which determine the specifics of their application. To classify buffs according to this principle, they use the concept of graininess - the number of abrasive particles (grit) located per unit area.

• 60–80. Such devices are classified as coarse-grained. They are used when performing a pedicure or for the primary processing of artificial nails on the hands. The main qualities of such tools are rigidity and rudeness.
• 100–150. This value of the grain size of the buff allows you to use it for the correction of extended nails. Through such devices, you can get rid of the vast majority of bumps. In addition, they help polish the nail plates on the legs, achieving an excellent result.

• 150–240. A buff having such a grain size is needed for delicate processing of artificial nails or careful filing of natural plates.
• 300–500. Tools with the specified abrasion value are used to give a spectacular shine to natural nails that have normal thickness and strength.

If the polished plates are too thin, brittle and prone to delamination, the performer needs to use a buff with grain size from 500 grit. The use of such a tool makes the appearance of nails impeccable and negates the likelihood of mechanical damage.

In order for the polishing bar for nails to fully meet the expectations of its owner, the latter should take into account the specifics of the tasks for which the product is purchased. Choosing the right tool, it is advisable to adhere to several recommendations.

• The smaller the thickness of the nail plate, the larger should be the numerical value indicated on the packaging of the purchased product.
• In order to save as much money as possible, it is reasonable to buy buffs with the maximum operational resource.
• If the budget allows, it is worth getting a few devices made of different materials and having varying degrees of abrasiveness.

And you should not buy too cheap buffs - products of dubious origin, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. Experience shows that such devices become unusable very quickly, without justifying the money spent on them.

There are a few basic rules following which allows you to buff your nails with the achievement of the optimal result:

• the working surface of the tool should process the largest possible area of ​​the nail plate;
• when processing, it is advisable to minimize the number of unnecessary movements (to avoid delamination of the nail);
• during polishing the plate, do not change the initially selected direction;
• carrying out procedures using buff should not be frequent (to avoid thinning of nails, you can use this tool every 7-10 days or less).

Before you start processing the nail plates, it is advisable to lubricate them with a small amount of nourishing cream. This step is extremely simple and at the same time important, since its implementation allows you to achieve the best visual result.

Experts do not advise neglecting “sealing” - a simple procedure that involves applying beeswax or a few drops of any essential oil to the ends of the nail plates.

One of the most important conditions that nail buff owners need to consider is the disinfection of the equipment used. This is especially true for craftsmen who work in the salon and prefer reusable tools to disposable ones. To avoid the spread of pathogenic microflora, buffs must be processed after each client, leaving them for 15-20 minutes in a disinfectant solution.

Special attention should be paid to instruments made of soft materials and fabrics. Given the increased sensitivity of such buffs to moisture, they can not be treated with disinfecting fluids. Ignoring this rule leads to delamination and deformation of the tool, making it unsuitable for further use.

In conclusion, it remains to state that the growing popularity of buffs for manicure and pedicure is due to the many of their advantages with a minimum of shortcomings. The validity of this is confirmed by both masters and non-professionals who want to achieve the optimal result with convenience and the lowest time costs.

All about nail buffs, see the video below.