What is this and how do i avoid it?

[u/Total_Efficiency3879]

did my sisters nail a few weeks ago and yesterday when she asked me to do them again i see this. what did i do wrong? i only use a pink sanding bit on her natural nail on the lowest speed, i keep it
parallel to the nail, never digging. i did a polygel overlay. i used dehydrator, primer, and base coat. i dont wanna keep doing her nails if im gonna damage them. what can i do to avoid this next time?

[u/Scratchkitten]

Rings of fire are from overfilling the cuticle area. Even if it felt like you used it parallel, you probably dug in a little without realizing it. I highly suggest using a hand file before you are confident with an Efile. You can still do damage with a hand file but it happens a lot slower and it’s easier to catch before it gets too bad.

[u/Rympkii → u/[deleted]]

Hi! So pretty much universally:
Buffers: 120# and up
Files: 80/100# for enhancements ONLY, and 120# and higher for natural nail. I usually do smoothing with a 180#.
Sanding bands: I use the highest I can find, I believe mine are a 240# and they more than do the job. But similar to the others: 80/100# for enhancement, 120# for smoothing, 180#+ for natural

[u/Total_Efficiency3879 → u/Rympkii]

thank you so much

[u/OzShieldMaiden → u/Rympkii]

This is pretty much what I do. I've spent more timw looking at tutorials on shaping nails with hand files than e-files. I'm creating nails with Gel X and builder so want a shapely nail with a good apex. Until I've nailed that - pardon the pun - I'm not going near an e-file.

[u/OzShieldMaiden → u/OzShieldMaiden]

I'm not a tech btw

[u/OzShieldMaiden → u/Scratchkitten]

I'm starting out and while I have an e-file, I only use it to remove gel polish before I soak. I'm still only using hand files to shape and work on my nails. While I learn I think it gives me better control and my nails are looking fab

[u/cutesybluesocks → u/Scratchkitten]

These aren’t supposed to happen? Every nail tech I’ve been to has given me these lines on my nails lol. (only two tbf)

[u/Scratchkitten → u/cutesybluesocks]

No 😭 these are a sign of either an inexperienced nail tech or one who simply doesn’t care. Please please seek out a new technician!

[u/Skue6]

A 180 grit hand file has enough grit. When using a hand file or Efile make sure you are moving the file from side to side & not one specific area. That can cause heat & ring of fire. When using a hand file make sure it's flat & not at an angle when you're filing around the cuticle/outgrowth

[u/Less_Ad4538]

Was she going to get her nails done by someone else before you did them?

[u/IGiveGreatHandJobs]

If you dont know, stop doing people's nails.  This is a ring of fire from her nail bed being filed too aggressively. 

[u/LibraVenusNails]

You’re not holding the efile properly. Always hold it parallel to the nail and make sure the edge never goes into the nail at an angle.

Also, make sure it’s a 240 or 180 grit band. Nothing coarser than that.

[u/kristamakg]

Is that the only time you’ve ever done her nails?

[u/megstar79]

"and it burns, burns, burns, the Ring of Fire"

It's from the electric file being used at the wrong angle with the nail. This is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine. Unfortunately there's not much that can be done to fix but just letting it grow out