What are the potential effects of over-filing the natural nail during preparation?

• A. Increased nail thickness and improved resilience.
• B. Thinning of the nail plate, sensitivity, reduced strength, nail splitting.
• C. Faster growth of the nail and stronger plate.
• D. No effect on the nail plate.

Answer: (B)

Over-filing the natural nail during prep reduces the thickness of the nail plate by removing protective keratin. A thinner plate loses its natural resilience and becomes more vulnerable to damage: it can bend, crack, or split more easily. This thinning also exposes nerves and increases sensitivity to touch and to products used later, and it dries out the nail, making it more brittle. Because you’re removing material, the nail isn’t stronger or thicker, and you don’t speed up growth—if anything, you weaken the foundation for any subsequent enhancements. So thinning, heightened sensitivity, reduced strength, and splitting are the likely effects.