“We are not doctors, we are service providers,” says Stacey Catalogna, marketing director for DePasquale The Spa in Morris Plains, N.J. And yet, each member of the nail team at DePasquale is trained to recognize a number of foot and nail abnormalities as the result of a collaboration with a local podiatric practice. “The techs receive training and certification from doctors with Advanced Foot and Ankle Surgeons. The training allows them to identify fungus, bacteria, ingrown nails, cysts, lumps etc.,” explains Catalogna. “Sometimes when the client is getting her legs massaged during a pedicure, the nail tech will find something irregular. We make the client aware of the issue while assuring her that these things are usually nothing. But we do urge her to get the issue checked out by a doctor. We are also able to determine if it’s safe to continue to work on that individual.” The in-salon trainings offer education on relevant health topics as well as guidance on the best language to use with clients.
“We have forged relationships with many different medical professionals and alternative therapists,” says Catalogna. “We believe these relationships raise the level of our industry and everyone benefits.”
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