Some clients’ nails may need to be roughed up a little more than others. If you’re using a 180-grit buffer or a fine sanding band and your client is experiencing lifting, try using a 100-grit file or a medium sanding band to prepare the nail surface.
Don’t go coarser than medium, though — that would be way too coarse for the nail surface. Many clients won’t experience lifting when you use a regular 180-grit buffer to prep, but if you notice that a client frequently has issues with lifting or nails popping off, using a rougher grit to prep the nails will most likely fix the problem.
— Bryan Vu, Hand & Nail Harmony educator, Houston