F.A.Q
Your nail technician has given you a great set of nail enhancements and you’re set to come in for an appointment in a couple of weeks. Is that all there is to it? Not quite. The following are key pointers
to help you care for your nails at home.
1. Let your nail tech do her job. If you
break a nail or if a nail begins to lift,
schedule a repair appointment. Do not
attempt to fix the nail yourself.
Improperly gluing down a loose nail can
cause moisture to become trapped
between the nail and the enhancement
and possibly cause an infection. Do not
bandage a broken nail as bandages may
also trap moisture. Do not take down
the length of your enhancements as this
will throw off the balance of the nail and
may make the nail look bulky.
Treat your nails like jewels. Protect
your investment by wearing gloves when
gardening or exposing hands to water for
extended periods of time. Do not put
upward pressure on your nail tips, use a
soda can opener to pop tops, and dial the
phone with the eraser end of a pencil.
Add some extras. Your nail technician
may suggest that you apply top coat
every other day (or more often
depending on your exposure to the sun)
to prevent chipping or yellowing. Cuticle
oil is also a daily necessity as it keeps
cuticles supple and the acrylic product
moisturized and flexible.
Listen to your nail tech. Can’t decide
what length and type of enhancement
you’d like? Your nail technician will be
more than happy to make a suggestion.
For example, if you’re hard on your nails
because you work on a computer or do
heavy work, shorter nails may be your
best option.
Call in sick. If you have a contagious
skin or nail condition, wait until it clears
before visiting the salon again. If
symptoms persist, make an appointment
with a dermatologist.
Be aware of what you have. Very few
clients will develop allergic reactions to
an ingredient in some nail products.
Allergic reactions are characterized by
redness, itching, and swelling of the skin
around the nails, or irritation around the
eyes and mouth. If you develop any of
these symptoms, call your nail
technician. She will help you determine
which ingredients you’re having a
reaction to and will take steps to avoid
them. If necessary, she can refer you to a
dermatologist. Do not ignore a condition
that develops around the nail.
Don’t take them off. If you decide you
no longer want to wear nail
enhancements, do not take them off
yourself. Picking and pulling the nails off
will damage your natural nail, rip layers
from your nail plate, and make regrowth
a long, painful process. Your nail
technician can safely remove nail
enhancements.
Personal Recommendations:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Attention nail technicians:
Client handouts are a great way to educate your
client and keep her coming back for your skill and
expertise. Feel free to make copies of this page to
give clients. For a personal touch, attach your
business card here before making copies.
Caring for Your
NAIL ENHANCEMENTS
at Home
Think of the questions your customers ask most frequently and write them here along with the answers.
➤
state board directory
You’ve just gotten a manicure and
your hands and nails look great. Before
you head back to the salon for your next
appointment, read through this handout
and make sure you’re doing everything
you can at home to keep your hands and
nails looking just as fresh and polished as
the day you got your manicure.
Listen to your nail tech. Carefully
follow your nail tech’s recommendations
for at-home care. If you have weak,
brittle nails and she recommends you
use a nail strengthener at home, follow
her instructions. If your nails have ridges
and she recommends you use ridge filler,
invest in one.
Treat your nails with care. Wear gloves
when gardening or exposing hands to
water for extended periods of time. Do
not use your nails as tools. Use a soda
can opener to pop tops, for example.
Use top coat to help nail polish last.
Chipping nail polish seems to be a chronic
problem for nail clients. Solve the
dilemma by applying a layer of top coat
24 hours after your service. That should
double the duration of your manicure and
keep your nails looking shiny and new.
Mend a chipped nail. So you’ve applied
top coat, but you still managed to chip a
nail. What to do? Using your fingertip,
dab a small amount of polish remover on
the affected area and lightly smooth it
over. Re-coat with polish and top coat.
Keep your hands well moisturized.
It’s important to keep your nails looking
great, but your hands are important,
too. Use a cream or lotion daily to keep
them hydrated and smooth. If you’re
often outdoors, use a lotion with an SPF
of at least 15.
Don’t forget about cuticles. Use cuticle
oil or treatment religiously. It keeps
cuticles supple and moisturized and helps
keep pesky hangnails and dry skin at bay.
Gently push back cuticles with a
washcloth or the ball of your finger, not
with the free edge of your nail.
File with care. What do you do if you
snag or break a nail? Carefully file away.
Always use a fine-grit file, which can
range from a 240-400 grit, and gently
file in one direction. Never file nails in a
back-and-forth motion, as this can cause
your nails to fray and split. Your nail tech
may even provide you with a home
repair kit.
Leave it to your nail tech. A slightly
chipped or snagged nail can easily be
mended by gently filing the nail. But if
you have a bigger problem such as a split
nail, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Call
your nail tech and schedule an
appointment to get it fixed.
If you’re sick, stay away. If you have a
contagious skin or nail disease, wait until
it clears before visiting the salon again. If
symptoms persist, make an appointment
with your dermatologist.
Know what you have. Allergic
reactions to nail products are
uncommon, but it’s important to be able
to detect if you have one. Allergic
reactions are characterized by redness,
itching, and swelling around the nails, or
irritation around the eyes and mouth.
Call your nail tech if you develop any of
these symptoms.
Personal Recommendations:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Maintaining the
Attention nail technicians:
Client handouts are a great way to educate your
client and keep her coming back for your skill and
expertise. Feel free to make copies of this page to
give clients. For a personal touch, attach your
business card here before making copies.
NATURAL LOOK
(The text below is in table format; right-click to add or delete rows.)
Attention nail care customer: Use this
handout as a guideline to determine
whether your salon is providing not only
great nails, but a safe and pleasant
experience as well.
Are the salon and individual
workstations clean? Does your nail
technician observe proper sanitation
practices? Before the nail technician
begins your service, you should both
wash your hands. The towel at the table
should be clean, and all instruments to
be used in the service should have been
disinfected. Don’t be afraid to ask your
nail technician how the instruments have
been disinfected.
What is included in the price of the
service? Many salons provide allinclusive
service prices; some salons
charge a la carte. Be sure you understand
exactly what services are performed for
the price. For example, is polish extra? Is
top coat or fast-dry extra? Will you be
charged for broken nails?
Did the nail technician explain the
service to you, ask you questions
about your needs, and inform you of
proper home care? There have been so
many advancements in artificial nail
products that nail technicians can make
the most natural-looking nails in the
world, but artificial nails aren’t for
everyone. Your nail technician should ask
you about your needs and explain the athome
maintenance you should do to care
for your nails. You should also share
pertinent medical information with her
(certain medications, for example, can
hinder the application of certain nail
products).
Does the salon have a strong odor?
There is an odor associated with some
artificial nail products, but there is no
danger to customers smelling it during
their service. However, an overpowering
odor can be an indication of an
inadequate ventilation system in the
salon. Ask your nail technician or the
salon owner what is done in the salon to
minimize exposure to odors, vapors, and
filing dust for customer comfort.
Does the technician use an electric
file? Electric files are commonly used in
the nail industry, and, when used
properly, are perfectly safe. You should
not feel any pain or burning when the
electric file is being used; if you
experience any discomfort, tell your nail
technician immediately. The only time an
electric file should be used on the
natural nail is with a buffer (no grit).
Is the nail technician and the salon
licensed? All states except
Connecticut require licenses for nail
technicians, and most states require
that the license be displayed for
customers to see.
What products are used in the
salon? Most salons use products that
are for professionals only, and your nail
technician should be able to explain
what products she uses and why. There
have been great advances in nail
chemistry in the last 10 years, but some
salons still use chemicals whose use in
nail care is not recommended,
specifically a product called methyl
methacrylate (MMA).
What if you have a problem with
your nails? Good communication
between the nail professional and
customer is essential, so if you are not
happy with your service or your nails,
talk to your technician or the salon
owner about it.
Personal Recommendations:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
How to Choose a
QUALITY NAIL SALON
Attention nail technicians:
Client handouts are a great way to educate your
client and keep her coming back for your skill and
expertise. Feel free to make copies of this page to
give clients. For a personal touch, attach your
business card here before making copies.