Week 6: Nail Chemistry, Electricity, and Organization

During week six, we learned about nail product chemistry and the basics of electricity. Nail product chemistry focused on adhesion (e.g. nail primer), nail coatings (e.g. nail polish), nail enhancements (e.g. monomers and polymers), and the overexposure principle. The latter is especially important since it addresses the possible dangers of exposure to toxic substances. The significance of understanding this principle was perhaps best summarized by the 16th century Swiss physician Paracelsus, who stated “All substances are poisons. …Only the dose differentiates a poison and a remedy.”

The chapter on electricity addressed such basics as how electricity flows through a circuit and how electricity is measured. Understanding how to safely work with electricity is important since nail technicians rely on a number of electrical appliances to perform services. During the week, we were tested on the chapters for skin structure and monomer liquid and polymer powder nail enhancements. I am pleased to report I continue to do well on the tests.

Our practical labs focused on giving pedicures this week. Apparently people are more reticent about having their feet photographed, so unfortunately I have no photos of completed pedicures to share. Perhaps when we start performing client services, with the promise of anonymity, the clients will be more willing to be photographed.

This coming week we are scheduled to begin providing client services. We have not been given the details on how that will work or what we can expect. I feel confident about my manicure and pedicure skills, but I certainly hope I am not expected to perform any liquid and powder extension services. I don’t want to say I am slow, but the only way that would work would be to spend the entire class time on one hand and have the client return the next day for the other hand. I doubt many clients would agree to that.

In the blog for week one I shared a picture of our school nail kits. The kit included a fair amount of the implements and products needed for the class, plus a large nylon satchel to carry it all in. However, as we have added the additional items we subsequently purchased, the satchel was soon overflowing and so heavy! So a number of students, me included, have purchased large rolling train cases to hold our implements and products. Having the large train case has definitely been an improvement over the satchel (everything I needed always seemed to drift to the bottom of the satchel). I am still experimenting with the best way to organize my supplies and every time I retrieve items for a procedure or service it is an adventure. I have included a picture of the train case, with the interior chaos obviously concealed. If anyone has any ideas on how to best organize a train case it would be very much appreciated!

As I have previously mentioned, we share our classroom with the Nail Tech II students who are in their second and final semester of nail school. They are currently going through mock state board examinations in preparation for graduating from school and going on to obtain their licenses. Of course I have been eavesdropping on the lessons. So far the actual required practical procedures do not seem too daunting. But what is concerning is all the little details that can be easily forgotten, but can result in losing points during the test. Hopefully by the time I sit for the state license examination everything will be practiced over and over and become automatic.

I have learned more about the planned fundraising event with a local sorority I previously mentioned. The charity will be for Breast Cancer Awareness. The event was originally scheduled for the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Due to a scheduling conflict it appears the event will now occur in November, which is somewhat unfortunate timing. But still it is always a good time to contribute to a good cause. I look forward to reporting on the event next month.

Well, that’s it for now. Until next time, take care!