Caring for your Enhancements
Knowledge is the most important tool any client can have when it comes to selecting a quality nail salon for your nail care services. This pamphlet will assist you in making the right choice, so you can have an enjoyable relaxing experience of having complete nail care.
What are enhancements?
Enhancements are items that are added using you own natural nail as the base. Acrylics, Gels, Tips and Wraps are the most commonly used. Wearing enhancements involves a tradeoff:
In exchange for having consistently beautiful nails, you must visit your nail tech regularly and you must use greater care to protect your nails than you did before you had them applied. Plan to see your nail tech about every two weeks, but your nail tech will determine a schedule appropriate for you.
Do not do your nail technicians job for her.
If you break a nail or if a nail begins to lift, schedule a repair appointment; don't fix the nails yourself. Gluing down a loose nail can cause moisture to become trapped between the nail and the extension and could possibly cause an infection. Do not bandage a broken nail either. Bandages can also trap moisture. If you are wearing polish or a French manicure, apply a top coat every other day to prevent chipping and yellowing. If you are out in the sun frequently, you may need to apply top coat everyday. Your nail tech can recommend a top coat with UV inhibitors made especially to prevent yellowing.
Keep your cuticles soft by applying cuticle cream, cuticle oil, or a thick lotion (mineral oil free) once a day. Try this trick: slather your hands with lotion before you put rubber gloves on to wash dishes. The heat of the dishwater will help skin absorb the lotion and when the dishes are done your hands will be soft.
Reschedule your appointment if you are ill.
If you have a contagious skin or nail condition, wait until it clears before visiting the salon again. Make and appointment with your dermatologist if these conditions persist.
Very few clients will discover that they are allergic to an ingredient in some nail products.
An allergic reaction is characterized by redness, itching, swelling, or irritation around the nail or around the eyes and mouth. If you develop any of these symptoms, call your nail tech. She will help you determine what ingredients you are having a reaction to and will take steps to help you avoid them. If necessary, she can probably refer you to a dermatologist. Do not ignore a condition that develops around the nail.
If for some reason you decide that you no longer want to wear artificial nails, do not take them off yourself! Although it may seem the simplest way to do it, pulling the nails off can damage your natural nail and make re-growth a long and painful process. Artificial nails and enhancements can be safely removed if done correctly by you nail technician.
NOTE: Some salons still use chemicals whose use in nail care is NOT recommended, specifically, a product called methyl methacrylate MMA).
Quality nail care should be a relaxing pleasurable experience, NOT painful. The nail tech should be helpful, courteous, informative, helpful and make you, the client feel special.
Web sites for more information:
www.BeautyTech.info
www.americanbeautyassociation.org
Tips from:
Kathy's Nail Garden
Quality service is what you should expect from a nail tech.
Phone: 913.541.1880
Fax: 913.541.1860
info@kathysnailgarden.com
Located at:
Haircuts Plus
15131 W. 87th Street
Lenexa, KS 66219