It is wise to spend some time getting to know new clients to understand their needs. Nail professionals don’t need to ask questions about medications, but they should be aware of pre-existing conditions that might affect the outcome of the services they perform. For instance, clients with diabetes need special care to avoid injury, since this may lead to a serious foot infection. It is also important to know if a client has ever experienced an allergic reaction from products or professional salon services. For example, some clients may have pre-existing allergies to certain essential oils or fragrances, preservatives, nail hardeners, nail polish, or artificial nail coatings/enhancements. It is important to understand all pre-existing skin sensitivities so nail professionals can avoid inadvertently exposing new clients to products or ingredients for which they have developed an intolerance.
—Doug Schoon is chief scientific advisor for CND.