I can't say I am very straight edged, but my nails are a different story. There is nothing that bothers me more then a jagged side wall. What is that, you say?! Two examples...
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/jagged.jpg) |
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middle finger |
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Aside from not looking very attractive, a jagged side wall (middle finger) has a weakened nail structure. I mean just think about it, missing nail pieces! Also, the sharp edges have a tendency to get caught on things. Both increase the probability of a nail tear. That does not bring me happiness.
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/DSCN7987.jpg) |
pointer finger |
This happens a lot on my pointer fingers too.
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/DSCN9514.jpg) |
Shark |
How does all of the jaggedness come about? Recently, my fingers got caught up with a shark. Actually, for whatever reason, the nail structure is just a bit softer there; it happens sporadically.
But seriously, how awesome is the Discovery building!? I get to see this everyday!
What's my solution to prevent inevitable sadness? File the side walls. WHAT?! I know, I know. I told you never to do that. Correction! I told you to do it a certain way. See
here.
To summarize:
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/DSCN60621.jpg) |
precious side wall |
To preserve nail integrity it is best to keep as much of the side wall intact as possible.
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/notofilesidewall-1.jpg) |
avoid filing like this |
Avoid holding and filing like pictured here. This gives too much access to the entire side wall. Too much filing of the entire side wall compromises the nail structure, making the nail more likely to tear.
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/pointertear.jpg) |
tear on the pointer finger |
Then this might happen...
:(
In this situation my jagged edge was so far down, I couldn't even file it. I do have a solution ...
nail fix here.
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/yestofilesidewall-1.jpg) |
file the side wall like this! |
This is a much safer way to file the side wall.
So, let's see the "after" photos!
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/smoothjagged.jpg) |
middle finger |
Ahh, so smooth!
![](http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa450/loodieloodieloodie/DSCN7996.jpg) |
pointer finger |
Catastrophe avoided!