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Nail Care and Cancer Treatment: 6 Tips for a Safe Nail Service
Cancer treatment can create very specific challenges for your guest when it comes to hair, skin, and also nails. Here are some tips for working with your salon client who is going through cancer treatment to help you provide a relaxing, enjoyable, and also safe experience.
by Kim Becker, Hello Gorgeous!
September 2, 2024
Kim Becker, founder of Hello Gorgeous!, with a guest who is receiving a very safe and pampering nail treatment from Kim.
Photo: Kim Becker
2 min to read
Most people don’t realize that cancer treatment can affect more than just hair loss, and this was something that I never learned in beauty school. Most chemotherapy drugs
are made to kill all fast-growing cells in the body because that's what cancer is. However, it cannot differentiate between good cells and bad cells which is why hair loss
and damage to the toenails and fingernails can occur.
Three Things to Watch for if Your Salon Guest Is Going Through Cancer Treatment
1. Nails lifting
If this occurs, gently file the nail to blend what is lifting with what is attached to the nail
bed. Applying nail polish will help seal the gap.
2. Discoloration of the nail
If the nail becomes discolored the only thing that will mend this is for the nail to grow out. Applying nail polish will help hide the discoloration.
3. Deep Ridges in the nail
If this happens you can gently buff the ridges with a buffing block to help smooth them out. Be mindful to stay clear of the cuticles to ensure no damage to them.
Being mindful of your salon guest's compromised immune system is really important. You need to understand they are different than a normal, healthy guest that visits your salon.
3 Things to Keep Your Client With Cancer Safe in the Salon
1. Wash your hands
You would think that this is a minor thing, but it's not. You should wash your hands, using anti-bacterial soap, before starting her service and she should wash her hands. You are getting ready to perform a service on a person with a compromised immune system due to her treatment. The task of washing hands can remove the chance of
contamination. Taking this extra step will help to ensure that you are starting the service safely.
2. Use only disposable items
When we give a pedicure or manicure during a Hello Gorgeous! Makeover, all of the items being used are disposable. These items are brand new and when we are finished with them, we either send them home with our guest or throw them away. Using new items eliminates the chance of contamination. Remember something small may be no
big deal for someone with a healthy immune system but it can wreak havoc on someone who is in the battle of their lifetime.
3. Keep your nippers in your drawer
I never use my nippers to cut the cuticles during a manicure or pedicure when I am taking care of someone in cancer treatment. Even the most skilled nail technician can make a mistake, and on someone with cancer, that mistake can stall or halt her treatment.
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