Nail buffing

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Nail buffer

Nail buffing is the act of polishing the nail using buffers of successively finer grit in order to make nails look more consistent and shiny. [1] A paste is used to fill ridges on nail surfaces. [2]

Contents

Buffing is also done prior to the application of nail products or artificial nails to help the product adhere to the nail. However, excessive buffing should be avoided [3]

Technique

Traditionally, a buffing cream and chamois skin have been used. Modern instruments are much more efficient and are similar in appearance to a large rubber eraser, with different sides for different levels of coarseness. As buffing is gentle surface abrasion, it should not be performed too strongly or too often or thinning of the nail may result.

In a manicure, nail buffing is an alternative to chemical nail polish.

In gel manicures

Buffing is used prior to the application of gel nail polish to help the polish adhere better to the nail. [4] For best adhesion results after buffing, the nail technician should remove any excess buffing oil before polishing. [4]

Safety

Applying excessive pressure while buffing can generate heat and pain and could possibly lead to infection. [4] Excessive buffing for prolonged periods of time can also wear the down the nail plate. [3] While buffing, only 5% of the nail plate thickness should be removed. [3]

Related Research Articles

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A manicure is a mostly cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands performed at home or in a nail salon. A manicure usually consists of filing and shaping the free edge of nails, pushing and clipping any nonliving tissue, treatments with various liquids, massage of the hand, and the application of fingernail polish. When the same is applied to the toenails and feet, the treatment is referred to as a pedicure. Together, the treatments may be known as a mani-pedi. Most nail polish can stay on nails for 2–3 days before another manicure is required for maintenance, if there is no damage done to it.

An abrasive is a material, often a mineral, that is used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away by friction. While finishing a material often means polishing it to gain a smooth, reflective surface, the process can also involve roughening as in satin, matte or beaded finishes. In short, the ceramics which are used to cut, grind and polish other softer materials are known as abrasives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beveled glass</span>

Beveled glass is usually made by taking thick glass and creating an angled surface cut (bevel) around the entire periphery. Bevels act as prisms in sunlight creating an interesting color refraction which both highlights the glass work and provides a spectrum of colors which would ordinarily be absent in clear float glass.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandpaper</span> Abrasive material used for smoothing softer materials

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Tumble finishing, also known as tumbling or rumbling, is a technique for smoothing and polishing a rough surface on relatively small parts. In the field of metalworking, a similar process called barreling, or barrel finishing, works upon the same principles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedicure</span> Cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails pedicure

A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails, analogous to a manicure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmetology</span> Study and application of beauty treatment

Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty include hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, non-permanent hair removal such as waxing and sugaring, and permanent hair removal processes such as electrology and intense pulsed light (IPL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nail polish</span> Lacquer applied to fingernails and/or toenails

Nail polish is a lacquer that can be applied to the human fingernail or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates. The formula has been revised repeatedly to enhance its decorative properties and to suppress cracking or peeling. Nail polish consists of a mix of an organic polymer and several other components that give it colors and textures. Nail polishes come in all color shades and play a significant part in manicures and pedicures.

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Scary sharp is a method of sharpening woodworking tools with sandpaper instead of conventional methods of oilstone or waterstone sharpening. The sandpaper referred to here can be any abrasive impregnated sheet used in the various industries to smooth surfaces and examples include glass paper, silicon carbide, emery cloth, etc. The sandpaper is affixed to another hard, flat substrate to create the sharpening surface. Sheet-glass is commonly used, but a machinist's granite surfacing block, marble baking slabs, plywood, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or even jointer out-feed tables will produce satisfactory results. The method of fixation is usually a matter of the user's preference, and can include plain water, sprayed-on adhesive, or by simply using adhesive-backed abrasive paper. This is exactly the same method as that used by materials scientists in preparing polished samples for metallography.

A nail file is a tool used to gently grind down and shape the edges of nails. They are often used in manicures and pedicures after the nail has been trimmed using appropriate nail clippers. Nail files may either be emery boards, ceramic, glass, crystal, plain metal files or metal files coated with corundum.

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Polishing and buffing are finishing processes for smoothing a workpiece's surface using an abrasive and a work wheel or a leather strop. Technically, polishing refers to processes that uses an abrasive that is glued to the work wheel, while buffing uses a loose abrasive applied to the work wheel. Polishing is a more aggressive process, while buffing is less harsh, which leads to a smoother, brighter finish. A common misconception is that a polished surface has a mirror-bright finish, however, most mirror-bright finishes are actually buffed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wood flooring</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floor sanding</span>

Floor sanding is the process of removing the top surfaces of a wooden floor by sanding with abrasive materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooth polishing</span>

Tooth polishing is done to smooth the surfaces of teeth and restorations. The purpose of polishing is to remove extrinsic stains, remove dental plaque accumulation, increase aesthetics and to reduce corrosion of metallic restorations. Tooth polishing has little therapeutic value and is usually done as a cosmetic procedure after debridement and before fluoride application. Common practice is to use a prophy cup—a small motorized rubber cup—along with an abrasive polishing compound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artificial nails</span> Beauty accessories

Artificial nails, also known as fake nails, false nails, acrylic nails, nail extensions or nail enhancements, are extensions placed over fingernails as fashion accessories. Many artificial nail designs attempt to mimic the appearance of real fingernails as closely as possible, while others may deliberately stray in favor of an artistic look.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makeup brush</span> Brush used for applying makeup or face paint

A makeup brush is a tool with bristles, used for the application of makeup or face painting. The bristles may be made out of natural or synthetic materials, while the handle is usually made out of plastic or wood. When cosmetics are applied using the appropriate brush, they blend better onto the skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frizz</span>

Frizz is hair that does not align with the surrounding hair, but stands up or curls independently, creating a fuzzy or irregular texture. The three main causes of frizz are genetics, hair damage, and humidity. Frizzy hair can be seen as a positive or a negative trait depending on the current fashion and one's personal preference. Many hair products, such as gels, pomades, and hair waxes, are designed to reduce frizz.

References

  1. Elaine Almond (1994). Manicure, Pedicure And Advanced Nail Techniques. Cengage Learning EMEA. p. 372. ISBN   186152689X.
  2. Samantha Taylor (2004). S/NVQ Level 1 Introducing Beauty Therapy. Heinemann. p. 128. ISBN   0435451391.
  3. 1 2 3 Draelos, Zoe Diana (2015-10-08). Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1-118-65548-1.
  4. 1 2 3 Milady (2020-03-19). Milady Standard Nail Technology. Cengage Learning. ISBN   978-0-357-63879-8.