Allergies in the Salon: A Guide for Clients

Below are few of the main reasons enhancement-related skin allergies occur and some useful tips for avoiding them.

1. Allergic reactions to cosmetics can occur when the skin is repeatedly exposed to even small amounts of allergy-causing ingredients. Dermatologist call allergy-causing substances allergens. For example, pollen is a common allergen, in fact, most allergens are natural substance (poison ivy, regweed). Some ingredients used cosmetics may also be allergens. Usually these ingredients are beneficial for the vast majority of people. However, just as there are people sensitive to pollens, some people are sensitive to cosmetic ingredients. Of course, the great majority never experience any problems. But, a smaller number of people may develop skin allergies when exposed over a period of time. Allergic skin reactions usually occur after several months (or years) of exposure to the ingredients. It is important to understand that cosmetic-related skin allergies usually don’t happen right away.

2. Fragrance ingredients are the most common cosmetic allergen. In fact, sensitivity to preservatives (necessary for proper shelf-life) and fragrance account for most cosmetic related skin allergies. Of course, other types of ingredients may also cause you to develop symptoms such as redness, itching or other signs of irritation. Simple irritation usually reverse themselves when exposure is discontinued. However, symptoms may worsen with repeated exposure of could develop into skin allergies. Once skin develops an allergic sensitivity to an ingredient, the allergy will be permanent. When the skin’s immune system recognizes and ingredients as an allergen, it never forgets and will always react negatively upon exposure.

3. Skin allergies can occur with any type of artificial nail enhancement. Often, the allergy to nail products begins as a slight itch or reddish area, or a spot that feels warm. if the facial area is touched with contaminated fingers, the skin might become irritated near the chin or around the eyes. On the fingernails, if ignored and exposure continues, these symptoms can become an annoying itch on the nail bed or water blister around the cuticle area or fingertips. If ignored still, the symptoms might spread to your hand or wrist. Luckily, all of this is easy to avoid - if your tech understand nail products and uses them wisely.

4. Which type of enhancement products can cause skin allergies? All of them can. But “can” is different than “will” - in most cases, these allergies can be avoided and the nail professional is the key. UV gels, liquid monomers, wraps, and tip adhesives share several ingredients capable of causing skin allergies. What’s the reason for these skin reaction? In a nutshell, the culprit is overexposure caused by prolonged or repeated skin contact and usually many months sometimes years of exposure.