My last entry, concerning nail art, was very specified in its approach to sensibility and aesthetics concerning nail art but I haven't covered the basics in searching for a nail salon or nail technician. Perhaps the most important information that a client would want to know about her nail salon or spa visit is contained in a wonderful blog entry I found from a salon in the suburban Denver area. This link explains clear, basic terms you should know to ask informed questions.
As a licensed professional, all these years, I have continually approached all services as a chance to educate my clients even from the beginning in 1977. I am sure they appreciated the fact that I was willing to share inside info in their terms. By doing so, I found that all the customers who were regulars to my manicuring table were loyal for decades and that's impressive today in a fleeting, fly-by-night world of personal services. If your client isn't a tourist the opportunity is clear to share your knowledge so that he or she can appreciate the value of the service she/he is receiving. Even fleeting consumers, such as travelers, received the fullness of my knowledge on any subject that I discussed with them. I wasn't surprised that in several instances people would ask for me after years of absence because they had moved or they were infrequent travelers to my locale. This was especially true when I lived and practiced in California.
When I went through the above blog entry I felt that some of the points needed to be expanded on. How will you know if your nail tech is truly observing the proper sanitation rules for your state ? The best way to know for certain is to get in contact with your state board of cosmetology/barber board. Much information is supplied online and there may be a PDF file you can download and peruse at will. Most likely it will also cover such information as air filtration requirements and ventilation. Even the layout of the salon is crucial because of requirements concerning personal hygiene required before and after a service for both the tech and the customer.
Most states have added certification requirements for the use of electric drills during acrylic and powder gel artificial nail application. This is for your protection concerning safety in practical use and sanitation as well. High speed drills must be sanitized just like metallic implements because their bits are used over again. Your technician may use an electric file with less speed (which is safer) and the sanding bits are used once and then thrown away eliminating the need to sanitize the actual bit but requiring that the unit is periodically sanitized as well. I only use electric files for backfills which are done to renew the french white smile line in a set of pink and white tip acrylic nails. I never, ever, use it over the natural nail bed. This is my personal preference and philosophy concerning the use of drills or electric files. I have seen one too many women left with tiger stripes on their nails to commit the act myself. These are red tinged arches left on the nail plate from over-aggressive finishing with drills along the cuticle line of the nails. Those angry-looking ugly marks, which may show through the acrylic, signify that your nail is missing in those spots and the nail bed is exposed! If it continues, fill-in after fill-in you will see the tiger stripe effect and it cannot be covered without a full coat enamel or opaque gel color. If you ever see this on your nails please report it to your local state board. Your nails and other people's nails will thank you.
MMA was once a constituent in the liquid used to apply acrylic nail applications. Most professional products are now devoid of this solvent and one sure way to know if it is being used is by the strong, pervasive odor. If you suspect that a salon is using MMA report it to your state board of Cosmetology. Another new line of defense concerning chemicals is now referred to as Big Three Free. FDA regulations were passed years ago which banned the use of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from cosmetics and the targets were all too obvious. These were once routine chemicals which could be found in nail enamels and similar products. It has affected the way nail polishes adhere and dry thoroughly. Chipping became a problem without the use of a decent plasticizer and it is the chief reason why gel polishes and finishers have become so popular. What many clients don't understand is that the way most of the proliferating gel polishes must be effectively removed is more damaging to the nail than they may realize. It can be done simply or a little more difficult but the results are damaging either way. Either the pure acetone used to do the removal will make the nail brittle or the seemingly easy peel off takes a layer of nail with it.
I have found a simple way to find out if a polish contains a plasticizer which is all that is needed for good (and safe) adhesion. Open the bottle and sniff. If you smell anything like bananas as the top note to the strong odor then it contains a basic plasticizer which is perfectly safe. I want to add here that formaldehyde, toluene and DBP were used for nearly a century without any incidents known to me and are harmless as long as you don't drink the stuff. LOL ! Storing your own polishes in a relatively cool and non-humid area will assure long life of the polish. Don't open and close the bottle continuously or leave it open for a long period of time as it will be useless the next time you want to do your nails. Nail technicians should know this well.
If you have any further questions about the material I have covered don't hesitate to leave it in the comments and I'll get back to you as soon as possible with an answer.
At your service,
The Castle Lady
