Times of the Islands Fall 2016

shape up
Nails need TLC too!
By Franceska Parker, Nail Technician, Elevate Spa
When studying nail technology, the sheer number of different
types of nail infection and nail damage stunned
me. I soon learnt the importance of cleanliness and
close observation to keep every client safe. I wash my
hands and clean and dry my equipment very carefully.
In my last several years in the Turks & Caicos
Islands I have seen many cases of nail infection and
ingrowing nails. Resident clients’ nails are especially
damaged. It is my belief that highly trained technicians
need to communicate, ask questions, and educate their
clients accordingly.
For instance, if I see a discoloured nail I will ask:
“How long has the nail been discoloured? Have you
seen a doctor? Are you on medication? What kind of
shoes do you typically wear? Have you bumped your
nail, causing trauma?” The responses help decide treatment.
I never soak a client’s nails until I have examined
them. If I come across a client with a nail infection, I
politely inform them. There will be no treatment unless
the client brought their own polish and their own tools
(file, buffer, clippers, etc.). If they are not able to, I provide
them with tools that they can buy and reuse next
time.
A fungal nail infection can be carefully treated with
such things as tea tree oil, antifungal cream, or even
a few drops of bleach, but how can clients continue to
keep the fungus away? Discontinue the use of polish or
tools that were used during the infection. Wear socks
with exercise shoes, change socks often, dry feet and
nails properly, use an antifungal spray inside shoes
before and after wear, and avoid going to a salon that
uses a jet tub. My workplace uses a copper bowl that is
washed and treated and left to dry before re-use.
Resident clients’ nails are often paper-thin due to
harsh filing, over-buffing, the use of acrylic, shellac,
and gel nails, as well as their harsh removal. Some nail
technicians buff the clients’ nail beds using coarse files
and then apply primer, glue, acrylic nail, file further,
and apply acrylic powder and gel liquid on top. How is
your nail meant to breathe? When you finally remove
the acrylic, the strength of
your nail will be compromised,
as will the cuticle that
protects your nail bed.
The cuticle is there to
protect the nail as it grows, preventing dirt and bacteria
from damaging the nail. Practice keeping cuticles
moisturised with a good cuticle oil or even a good hand
lotion after doing dishes or washing hands. Rub in a
small amount of oil or lotion, paying particular attention
to the cuticle.
Treating infections is not just cosmetic. Infections
from your nail can slowly attack your immune system.
If a fungus or nail infection is left untreated for a long
time, it can keep returning after treatment because it
now lives in your blood system.
Shaping and cutting should be done according to
a client’s cuticle area shape and activities. Runners
should clip the nail shorter and straight across. The
sides of the nail should never be clipped or the nail will
start to grow differently, not straight. The nails will sink
and a practice of digging under the nail may happen,
opening it to infection.
Watch your environment; be smart when getting
manicures and pedicures; don’t overuse and abuse the
use of shellac, acrylic, or gel nails; keep your own tools
clean and be careful of public showers and unsanitary
salons. Treat nail fungus and let your salon know. Do
you live with someone who has nail fungus? Do you
share your home nail polishes? If your immune system
is especially low, stay away from salons. I am not a
doctor, but as a caring nail technician I believe in being
careful, respectful, and firm to ensure my clients’ safety
and the safety of future clients. a
Franceska Parker has been working as a nail technician
since 2005, after a one year course in nail technology.
She currently works as a nail technician and massage
therapist at Elevate Spa at the Blue Haven Resort and
Marina.
Times of the Islands Fall 2016 71