How to Buff Fingernails at Home

Buffing your fingernails prepares them for an at-home manicure.

Fingernail buffers are available in motorized or manual models. Buffing your fingernails at home can give you smooth, shiny nails that are ready for an at-home manicure or just for everyday nail care. Buff your fingernails at home once a month or so for smooth, shiny and healthy nails.

Things You'll Need

• Fingernail buffer

Instructions

1. Start with clean, dry nails. Use a nail brush to clean underneath fingernails with warm water and soap.

2. Position the buffer over one of your fingernails and gently stroke the nail's surface up and down the length of the nail. With an electric buffer, hold the buffer over the surface of the nail and allow the buffer to spin on the nail, covering the nail's surface, until your fingernail feels warm.

3. Hold the buffer horizontally across the same fingernail and use the same movement to "buff" the nail from side to side. Continue until your fingernail feels warm from the friction.

4. Repeat for the rest of your fingernails.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't over-buff the nails, which can erode the nail's surface and damage them.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Nails: How to Keep Your Fingernails Healthy and Strong; November 25, 2009
• Woman's Magazine: How to Use Nail Buffers