by Gayle Jackson

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: February 21, 2010

As a professional, for the best filling and shaping of your nails, support the industry. Visit a licensed manicurist. Filling is inexpensive and can start nail care off on the right foot or should I say hand.

The best way to ensure nail health and growth is to file according to the nails natural shape. Each nail and person is different. A square free edge will not work on a pointed nail shape.

Always use an emery board that can be thrown out after a few uses. Metal or glass nail files are a gimmick. They are not safe or sanitary.

Boards come in a variety of grits, the higher the number the softer. Choose a medium grit or get the emery boards that come in a package. These are perfect for the home manicure.

Look at the bottom of your nail, the cuticle area, where it grows. This determines the proper shape for the free edge. The free edge is the white growth that extends past the nail bed over the finger tip. The basic shapes are rectangle, oval, pointed or round.

The length of the existing free edge, the fingers and lifestyle constitutes the next step. If your nails are quite short a few same direction swipes with the board will even them out. When the free edge is longer file all the nails straight across and the same length or as close to the same as possible.

Turn your hand around and view nails from the palm side. Do not saw back and forth, file in one direction. All nails would be straight across at this point. Depending on your nail shape the next move is the edges.

Never file the corners or sides of the nail. This weakens the nail. If it needs anything just lightly swipe it to shape. Pointed nails are best shaped by a professional.

If oval, take the file and angle it downward on the edge and swipe a few times on both sides. If square place your file straight on the edge and swipe. Rounded, slip the file under the edge and file upwards.

That's it. The more you do the more they weaken. The free edge is the exposed or dead part of the nail. The nail bed is continually being nourished and fed by nerves and blood.

The free edge is the only thing you file. One of the reason there are so many damaged nail beds is from over filing and over zealous people in the industry that do not know their business. Would you fix your cars transmission if you weren't a mechanic or at least knowledgeable in the area?

If taking down the length, see a professional. A different method is used to ensure nail health and no cracking or breaking. Never cut them off with nail clippers.

Filling and shaping only needs to be done every few weeks. The nails often tell a tale of someone's overall health. They are a protective, live part of your body so treat them well.

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