Why is my pink-and-white client having itching, peeling, and burning skin around the nail plate?

Itching, peeling, and burning are classic symptoms that usually indicate improper soft tissue overexposure and are generally the result of prolonged and/or repeated skin contact. All types of nail enhancement product must be kept off of living skin during the application process. Clients often don’t show symptoms for six months or longer, but overexposure begins the first time the client’s skin is accidentally contacted. Each additional exposure can push them closer to developing skin sensitivities. Nail professionals can also develop such product-related sensitivities from skin overexposure, so they too should take care to avoid skin contact. Fortunately, these problems are easy to avoid. It’s the responsibility of all nail professionals to ensure these types of professional products are used properly and skin contact is always avoided. When used properly, such problems are unlikely to occur. — Doug Schoon is CND’s vice president of science and technology.