Filing our nails is a thing we’ve probably all done at some point, even if you’re a *strictly salon* type of person. From furiously filling them in a rush so they look a little less ramshackle before a meeting—I’ve been there a lot—or maybe you’re more calculated, giving your nails a little TLC before a swipe of polish during an at-home mani. Either way, we want to chat about how to properly file your nails to prevent damage and sensitivity. 

We know filing your nails may seem like NBD, but a few techniques will ensure you don’t damage your nails along the way. To get expert guidance on how to properly file your nails, we chatted with Nadine Abramcyk, co-founder of Tenoverten—a nail care brand with formulas that cleanse, nourish, color, and gloss, all without harmful ingredients. Now, let’s get into the process and best practices.

Do: Remove your polish. When you’re in a hurry, it can be tempting to skip nail prep, but it can be an essential step to keeping your nails looking and feeling their best. To start the nail prepping process, Abramcyk recommends always removing your nail polish before filing your nails. There are various options for nail polish remover, from acetone to natural and eco-friendly and everything in between. (Shop some of our faves, below.)

Don’t: Soak your nails. Soaking the nails is still a standard practice in many salons, but this step usually takes place post-filing. There’s a reason for this, Abramcyk shares. “Avoid soaking your fingers before filing as you don’t want to file your nails when wet,” she tells WWW. “If your nails have absorbed moisture, they will be softer and more susceptible to tearing in the filing process, so take care to use a file on dry nails only.” 

Growing out your natural nails? Same here. And buffing after filing, Abramcyk explains, can help give the nails a smooth canvas for treatment of polish even though she says it can be an often-overlooked part of the process. “Buffing is essential, as it smoothes the edges of the nails and also eliminates any residual nail particles.”