The burning sensation comes from the friction of the bit on the nail. Be sure you’re not using it in a back-and-forth motion, but are going in one direction and lifting the bit off the nail at the end of the stroke and returning to the side of the nail you began on. And you could be using more pressure than you realize since you are using sanding bands instead of carbide. Carbides are more aggressive and need less pressure, while sanding bands need a bit more pressure to do the same job.
My biggest recommendation is to take an e-file class so you can see these techniques in person and learn some tips and tricks. — Laura Campos of Gainesville, Fla., has been a nail tech for 19 years and is master certified for electric files.
Use an e-file on yourself to find out just how much pressure is needed, and be sure and tell the client before you start to let you know if they feel any discomfort. They will appreciate that and will tell you when they feel something instead of sitting there dealing with it. That will let them know that you do care about their comfort. Believe me, it’s a big plus in their eyes. — Donna Schur is the owner of Nails by Donna in Huntsville, Texas.