Though nail drills can facilitate your at-home mani/pedis, if you're inexperienced using one or not well-versed in the specifics, you can end up not achieving your desired outcome or worse, damaging your nails and hurting yourself. Here, some important things to consider before you lay a finger on a professional nail drill:

If you like to opt for a DIY manicure or DIY pedicure, one way to upgrade your process is using a professional nail drill, also known as an e-file or electric manicure file. This will give the nails on your fingers and toes a look that mimics what you would receive at the salon. Nail drills are designed for professionals — these products expedite the process of removing polish and cuticles while simultaneously providing precision to your manicure or pedicure. An electric manicure toolset can work on both false and natural nails and can be a multitasker: It can file and shape your nails, easily remove gel polish, take off acrylic nails at home, trim your cuticles and buff your calluses straight to smoothness. For this article, she worked with Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek . Wnek has a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University, an M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati and 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing. She shared research on nail drills and provided expert advice for this story.