Sanitation Nation!

How safe are your nail services?

A lot of people think because we are working on their 'nails', which are hard or solid, that there isn't much risk for infection. Even if they've hear about infections from acrylic nails, they pass it off as because the acrylic caused it or the nail wasn't allowed to 'breathe'.

Wait, what???

Doesn't that mean it's not solid? You see my problems with the logic, right? People just don't think it's an issue or they don't get how delicate their skin and nails can be. A way I like to think about it is, your nails are your weapon, not your shield. You have to be on the offense and actively ensure your services are preformed in a safe manner, with safe products and sanitary implements and tools.

Prevention starts and ends with the client.

You may ask how is it up to you that your nail services are done in a safe and hygienic way. You decide where you get your services. Clients need to be informed and proactive about your hand and nail care. Here is a list of ways to protect yourself and that your nail tech should utilize.

1. You and your Nail tech should sanitized your hands before any part of the service is preformed. Feet should be soaked for 5 minutes in foot bath and techs hands sanitized.
2. Tools and implements should come from sealed packages from a heat sanitizing system, taken from sanitizing liquid, or taken from a dry storage marked clean and you can see where used implements go after they are used and it is clearly different.
3. Files need to come from same sanitized areas as tools and be clearly marked Sanitizable OR be new for each client and given to client or disposed of after use. (We use new file and buffer for each client, send home file and throw away buffer.)
4. Know what products are being used on you. Know that they are, what they are supposed to be. Antiseptic foot bath instead of Windex (Yes, it has happened), Hand Sanitizer or antibacterial lotion instead of plain lotion in bottle.
5. Pay attention to the cleanliness of your salon and nail tech. Notice if they have healthy hands and nail. If they are wearing gloves, make sure they change into new gloves and toss last pair between each and every client. Gloves are awesome for preventing disease, but only work for the nail tech if they are changed for every client.
6. If you have overlays and see discoloration make sure the product is filed away and the nail exposed so it can be determined if it is in fact a fungus or infection or just something like makeup or dirt that was able to get between nail and product because of lifting.

These are all things we as nail techs and manicurist should be doing, but it's up to you to make sure your services are done safely.

Pedicure, anyone? Pedicure 101

Pedicure 101- Why you should get one.

"A person either loves Pedicures or they've never had one."

Those aren't just words those are facts!  If you've had one, you know.  If you haven't had a pedicure, you need to ask someone!  Even those with the ticklish of feet love them. Ladies, kids, and men all love a pedicure.  It's good for you and it feels amazing.

There are a lot of reason people have for not trying a pedicure or having them regularly.  I want to clear up some concerns about getting one and talk a bit about why to do it regularly.  I also want to give you some heads up on what to expect.

First and Foremost- Your feet aren't nearly as bad as you think they are! 90%  of the Clients who come in, even regulars, think they have the worst feet and are always embarrassed.  Are your toe nails yellowing, barely have a pinkie nail, thick, ridgy, cracked or feet have callus that are thick enough to stand off you foot?  Ya, so does everyone else we see.  Feet are functional and they all have plenty of wear and tear. Please don't fret about the appearance of yours when you come in.  Your feet needing help is the reason you come in a get a pedicure with a professional.  We got you.  That's what we do.

Besides just embarrassment or you may not feel like you'll be uncomfortable with a stranger messing with your feet.  That is a hard hurdle to talk someone over because it's one of those things that are all in your head and we can't show you different until you get over it.  I will say though, that just like manicures, when someone is touching and holding your feet and hands, your not going to be strangers for long.  It's human nature at it's best. Even when it tickles it is soothing and comforting for another person to to hold your feet in the firm secure way a Nail Tech does when they work on your piggies.  It's not stressful and after a few minutes it is extremely relaxing and comforting.

Once we get you in the pedicure throne, your going to love it, no doubt.  Your going to walk out of that salon or spa skipping on a cloud!

Why don't you all come back regularly?  Time, it's time, and we get that.  We just want you to remember to take that time for yourself.   Pedicures feel so good and make you feel better about yourself so you feel selfish taking the time too regularly.  I get that.  It's like that with so many things we should be doing to take care of ourselves.  That's about it! Seriously, there isn't any other reason people give for not getting them more ofter.....because pedicures.....are.....awesome!

Remember taking care of your feet helps with your overall health. You depend on your feet more then anything take care of them, they take care of you.

Here's a couple things you should know or be ready for when you are ready to come in for your first pedicure.

• DON'T SHAVE!  It's the first thing you want to do to prepare, but the last thing you should even think about doing before a pedicure.  Shaving makes your skin more sensitive.  We use a lot of products that open up your pores and such so you shouldn't take any chances of razor burn or the such.  Shave in early morning if you need to but we would rather you get the best experience from our service and the day before is best.
• Don't make plans you need to wear your heals to, for a while after your appointment.  We give you thin disposable ones to wear so you don't have to dent your new polish, but they aren't for formal wear. :))
• Let us know your ticklish.  1/2 our clients are.  If you let us know we can hold foot more firmly which easy enough really does make a world of difference.
• Don't let anyone use a razor on your feet.  It's not necessary and can hurt you even if there is no pain.  Callus and thickening can be taken care of better over time.  They are self protection, so if you take it all off it will grow back worse. Scrub, exfoliate, and pumus.  Those are the way to go.

Pedicures relieve stress, remove foot odor, better your feets appearence and relaxes the muscles and tendons you use the most. One last time: Take care of your feet, and they will take care of you.