Whether you’re refining enhancements or lifting hard skin during a pedicure, sanding discs are tiny powerhouses. Used correctly, they’re fast, efficient, and kinder to your client’s skin and nails than heavy-handed filing.

What are sanding discs and a sanding disc holder?

• Sanding discs are disposable, circular pieces of file paper that attach to a sanding disc holder (like a reusable metal mandrel).
• Together, they create a flat mini “buffing plate” you run with your e-file.
• They’re brilliant for:
  
• Hard skin removal (calluses, heels, balls of feet, toes)
• Length reduction on enhancements (gel/acrylic/acrygel)
• Smoothing and polishing (with finer grits)

You’ll swap discs between clients (and sometimes more than once during a pedicure on very dry, heavy build-up).

How they work together

1. Remove the backing paper and press a fresh disc onto the holder so it’s centred and fully adhered.
2. Insert the holder in your e-file and lock it in.
3. Choose your grit for the job (guide below).
4. Let speed and  angle do the work - use light pressure, constant movement.

Grit	Best for	Notes
150	Hard skin removal on heels	Fast reduction. Use the edge of the disc at high speed.
180	Less heavy hard skin & length reduction on enhancements	Great go to grit
240	Smoothing or shorter enhancement length reduction	Refines after 150/180 and tidies edges.
320	Polishing with oil or cream	Final pass to leave skin silky on pedicures

 

RPM & Angle Essentials

Hard skin removal: start high at 30,000–35,000 RPM.

Most techs work too slow (20–25k) which causes the bit to stall and creates heat.

Length reduction on enhancements: 25,000–28,000 RPM.

Angle matters

Length reduction: keep the disc at a true 90° to the free edge to prevent jumping

Hard skin: use the edge of the disc and work from heel upward in straight, overlapping passes, not circles and not flat to the skin.

The foot is curved: working flat and circular overfiles the highest point and under-treats everything else. Using the edge lets the disc glide and “shave” evenly without heat.

Step-by-step: Hard Skin Removal 

1. Prep & protect

• Cleanse, dry, and assess. Pop on gloves. Keep the foot dry for hard skin reduction stages - this will ensure that hard skin removal is most effective.

2. Load your disc

• Start with 150 grit for heavy hard skin build up (or 180 if build-up is lighter).

Very thick callus build up - 150 grit

Not so thick hard skin build up - 150 - 180 grit

3. Set speed

• 30–35k RPM. High speed = smoother glide, less pressure, less heat.

4. Edge contact only

• Present the edge of the disc to the thickened area.

• Work from the heel upward, in straight, controlled strokes (see green arrows in your images), overlapping slightly.

• Keep the disc moving; don’t pause in one spot. If you feel pull or drag or machine stopping - turn up the speed.

5. Feather & refine

• Once bulk is reduced, switch to 180 or 240 grit to even texture.

6. Polish

• Apply a small amount of cuticle oil or cream, fit 320 grit, and lightly pass to polish the surface.

7. Replace as needed

• Always replace discs after each client. On very dry/cracked heels, replace during service when the disc dulls or clogs.

8. Finish

• Clean, condition, and educate the client on home hydration (oils/creams) and regular maintenance.

Before

After

Step-by-step: Length Reduction on Enhancements

1. Choose grit

• 180 grit for efficient reduction; 240 for shorter reduction/refine.

2. Set speed

• 25–28k RPM.

3. Lock the angle

• Hold the disc at a true 90° to the free edge. Stabilise your hands (fulcrum on your non-dominant finger).

4. Light pressure, straight passes

• Let the disc do the work. If you push, it will jump.

5. Refine & seal

• Swap to 240 grit to perfect the line.

6. Dust control & check symmetry

• Wipe, check lengths, and repeat tiny passes if needed.

Sanding Disc Troubleshooting

Heat build-up / “hot spots”

Cause: Speed too low (15–25k), working flat, or slowing down

Fix: Increase to 30–35k RPM for pedis; use the edge; keep moving with feather-light pressure.

Disc “jumps” on enhancements

 Cause: Angle not at 90°, too much pressure, or starting/stopping on the edge.

Fix: Reset to 90°, stabilise hands, keep the pass continuous with light contact.

Poor removal / feels like skating

Cause: Disc is dull or clogged; grit too fine.

Fix: Replace the disc; drop to 150/180 for reduction before moving finer.

Over-filing the highest point of the heel

Cause: Working flat and in circles.

Fix: Edge only, heel-to-up straight passes.

Disc stalls / stops spinning on contact

Cause: RPM too low or firm pressure.

Fix: Go to 30–35k RPM for hard skin; lighten pressure.

Lines or gouges

Cause: Holding in one spot or leading with the flat

Fix: Short, overlapping passes; lead with the edge; refine with 240, then polish with 320 and oil.

Hygiene & Replacement

Single-use discs: replace after every client. Learn more about single use and reusable nail products here.

For very dry, compacted callus, expect to swap discs more than once during the service.

Clean and disinfect the holder according to local guidelines between clients. Follow our cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation tutorial here.

Quick checklist 

• Hard skin: edge of disc, heel → upward, 30–35k RPM.

• Enhancements length: 90° angle, 25–28k RPM, light passes.

• Grit ladder: 150 → 180 → 240 → 320 (with oil).

• Keep moving, minimal pressure, replace discs often.

Shop sanding discs and sanding disc holder to elevate your pedicures and length reduction here.