Safety and Effectiveness of the E-File Dry Manicure Technique: A Systematic Review of Risks and Scientific Validation of Common Practices
Keywords:
hardware manicure, e-file dry manicure, bit safety, bit geometry, rounded cone, nail matrix, mechanical injury, combined technique, podology, dermatology in cosmetologyAbstract
Against the backdrop of the rapid expansion of the global nail care segment and the parallel tightening of client expectations regarding safety and quality, hardware-based manicure methods (e-file) are coming to the fore. At the same time, their use remains surrounded by mythologized perceptions and caution, mainly due to the presumed risk of mechanical injury. This study aims at an evidence-based verification of the safety profile and effectiveness of e-file manicure using the authors’ combined technique E-File Dry Manicure as a case in point. The adopted methodology includes a systematic analysis of dermatology and cosmetology literature, a comparative technical examination of the geometry of manicure bits with extrapolation of principles from podology, and a qualitative case study based on the practical implementation of the technique in the US market. The findings indicate that the decisive parameter determining the safety of the intervention is the geometry of the working part of the bit. The study demonstrates that the use of an attachment with a rounded apex (rounded cone) in combination with subsequent manual cuticle removal using nippers forms a methodically balanced protocol that minimizes the likelihood of damage to the nail matrix and periungual folds, in contrast to approaches relying on bits with a sharp tip (e.g., flame). It is concluded that the specified combined technique is a safe, universal, and clinically effective alternative capable of raising industry safety standards. The material is intended for practicing technicians, educators, salon owners, and representatives of beauty industry regulators.
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