Wellness

Will Doing Nails Hurt My Baby?

If the volume of mail we receive from mothers-to-be is a fair gauge, there is growing concern among nail technicians that their health and livelihood may be at stake by working with salon chemicals.

Ingrown Nails Are Preventable

Ingrown nails are most common on the big toes because people wear tight shoes that press on the skin around the big toe, jamming it into the side of the nail.

Ask the Nail Doctor: Nail Separation

The nail is an amazing structure, and a healthy nail is too hard and too dry for bacteria to invade.

There is Life (and Productivity) After Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome doesn’t have to mean the end of a nail career, but if you suffer from tingling, numb, or aching hands, adjust your working technique and see a doctor.

A Steady Hand

Shaky hands may be the result of a medical condition or performance anxiety. If your doctor says you’re fine, then learn to relax and slow down.

Disinfecting Your Non-Metal Files

Examine the pros and cons of disposing of, saving, or disinfecting your files.

Debunking the Fungus Myth

Fungal infections of the fingernail are relatively rare and can only be treated with internal prescription medications.

Editor's Note: Clean Up Your Salon or Clear Out

Nail Anatomy 101

Nails don’t breathe, they don’t sweat, they don’t eat, and they don’t need a regular rest from artificial extensions.

The Nail Doctor: Bandaging Aggravates Nail Ailments

Covering problem nails with a bandage is the most common aggravating factor I see in nail disorders.

Servicing Clients with Autoimmune Disorders

Knowing what to do with special needs clients before they walk through the door will make both you and the client more comfortable and the service more meaningful.

Ask the Nail Doctor

Every month, our nail doctor answers readers' questions about any health-related issue.

Help Clients Break Habits

It’s not uncommon to see clients with nail deformities characterized by ridges on the nail plate. Called habit tic, it is a benign habit that often relieves a person’s anxiety.

Servicing Clients With Special Medical Needs

Clients with diabetes or circulatory disorders can be safely serviced by using gentle techniques.

Don't Ignore Minor Infections

Information about mild or serious infections will help you understand the importance of your own hygiene as well as increase your appreciation of the complexity of the nail area and make you aware of when a patient needs medical care.

Be an AIDS-Safe Salon

Common sense and board safety compliance should keep your salon free of most diseases, including AIDS.

Editor's note: We Want Our MSDS!

Only 32% of nail technicians have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the products they use.