10 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Filing Your Nails

I’ve spent years perfecting my at-home manicure routine, and honestly, nail filing was where I messed up most often. Those simple back-and-forth motions seem foolproof, but they can secretly damage your nails without you even realizing it.

If you’re wondering why your nails keep breaking or splitting despite your careful attention, the answer might be hiding in your filing technique.

1. Sawing Back and Forth

Filing in both directions is probably the most common mistake I see friends make. This sawing motion actually creates tiny tears in your nail layers that weaken the entire structure over time.

I learned this the hard way after months of dealing with peeling nails. The correct technique is to file in one direction only, starting from the outside edge and moving toward the center. This method seals the nail’s keratin layers rather than shredding them apart.

Think of your nail like wood grain – when you sand with the grain in one direction, you get a smooth finish. When you go against it or back-and-forth, you create splinters!

2. Filing Wet Nails

Guilty as charged! I used to file right after showering because I thought softer nails would be easier to shape. Turns out, this is terrible for nail health. Wet nails are significantly weaker and more flexible than dry ones.

When you file them in this state, they’re much more likely to bend, tear, and develop splits that become apparent once they dry. Water temporarily weakens the hydrogen bonds that hold nail layers together.

Always make sure your nails are completely dry before filing. If you’re in a rush, wait at least an hour after swimming or showering to give your nails time to return to their natural strength.

3. Using Too Coarse a File

Those black emery boards with sandpaper-like texture might seem efficient, but they’re way too harsh for natural nails. I cringe remembering how I used to attack my nails with the coarsest file I could find, thinking it would speed up the process.

Coarse files (100 grit or lower) should only be used on artificial nails. For natural nails, stick to files labeled 180 grit or higher – the higher the number, the gentler the file.

A glass file is actually my personal favorite. They seal the nail edge as you file and can be sanitized between uses, unlike cardboard emery boards which can harbor bacteria in their porous surface.

4. Over-Filing the Sides

Remember when super-skinny nails were trending? I got carried away and filed the sides of my nails so much that they became painfully weak. The sides provide crucial structural support for your entire nail.

Filing them too aggressively creates vulnerable points where splits and breaks can start. The nail sides also protect your fingertips and the sensitive skin alongside your nails.

Focus on shaping just the free edge (the white part) rather than digging into the sides where the nail meets skin. Leave those lateral nail folds alone! Your nail bed has a natural shape that you should generally follow rather than trying to dramatically alter.

5. Neglecting to Seal the Edge

After spending time shaping my nails perfectly, I’d often skip this crucial final step. Failing to seal the nail edge leaves it rough and prone to catching on fabric, which inevitably leads to tears and breaks.

To properly seal the edge, slightly angle your file underneath the tip of your nail and gently buff in one direction. This creates a smooth edge that’s less likely to snag or peel.

You can also use the finest side of a buffer to lightly smooth the very end of the nail edge. Just a few gentle strokes will do – you’re not trying to thin the nail, just smooth any microscopic roughness left from filing.

6. Using Worn-Out Files

Old nail files are like dull knives – they force you to work harder and cause more damage. I used to keep files until they practically disintegrated, not realizing they were doing more harm than good.

A worn file creates friction without efficiently removing nail material, which can cause heat damage and unnecessary stress on the nail plate. The rough particles wear down over time, making the file less effective and potentially causing more tearing than clean shaping.

Replace emery boards every month if you file weekly. Glass and metal files last longer but should be cleaned regularly with soap and water or alcohol. If your file feels less effective or you need to apply more pressure than before, it’s time for a replacement.

7. Filing Too Aggressively

My impatience used to lead me to press down hard while filing, thinking I’d finish faster. Heavy pressure actually generates heat through friction, which can damage the nail’s protein structure and cause brittleness and peeling.

Gentle, light strokes are much more effective and far less damaging. You should barely feel pressure on your finger when filing correctly – let the file do the work, not your arm strength.

Take breaks between filing each nail to prevent heat buildup. If your nails or fingertips feel warm during filing, you’re being too aggressive! Slow down and lighten your touch for healthier results that actually last longer between manicures.

8. Skipping Pre-Filing Cleaning

Racing to shape my nails without proper prep was a mistake I made for years. Filing dirty nails can push oils, bacteria, and debris into the nail layers as you file, potentially causing discoloration or even infection.

Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before filing. For an extra-clean start, swipe nails with nail polish remover even if you’re not wearing polish – this removes natural oils that can interfere with filing.

Clean your file regularly too! Bacteria and yeast love to hide in nail dust caught in files. Wash emery boards with soap and water and let them dry completely, or use alcohol on glass and metal files. This simple step prevents transferring old bacteria back onto freshly filed nails.

9. Ignoring Your Natural Nail Shape

Square nails were trendy when I first got into nail care, so I forced my naturally oval nails into harsh right angles. The result? Constant corner breaks and splits because I was fighting against my nail’s natural strength pattern.

Your nail shape should generally follow your cuticle line for maximum durability. Look at the base of your nail where it meets the cuticle – that curve is your nail’s natural shape and filing to complement it creates stronger nails.

If you have wide nail beds, squoval shapes work well. Narrow nail beds often do better with oval or almond shapes. Working with your natural nail structure rather than against it means fewer breaks and healthier growth over time.

10. Filing After Cutting Instead of Shaping Gradually

Grabbing clippers and chopping my nails short before filing used to be my go-to method. This approach almost always leads to uneven edges and puts stress on the nail plate that can cause splitting and peeling.

A better approach is gradual shaping with just a file. Filing allows you to slowly remove length while shaping simultaneously, giving you much more control over the final result. If your nails are extremely long and you must cut first, leave extra length than your target.

Then finish with careful filing to achieve the exact shape and length you want. This two-step approach prevents the shock and stress that comes from dramatic cutting and reduces the risk of those annoying splits that always seem to happen right after you’ve cut your nails.