As a nail tech, your goal is to create beautiful and unique designs for your clients and help them maintain healthy nails. Healthy nails not only look good but also indicate overall health and wellness. Find out how to maintain healthy nails in your salon clients.
Maintain Proper Mani-Pedi Procedures
Follow proper procedures when you do manicures and pedicures for your clients to ensure the health of their nails. This protects your clients from potential infections and maintains your salon's reputation as a clean and professional establishment. Here are some tips on how to maintain healthy nails in your salon clients:
Sanitize Your Tools
Before starting any nail service, thoroughly sanitize all your tools. This includes clippers, cuticle pushers, files, and even nail polish bottles. Use a hospital-grade disinfectant or an autoclave machine to kill any bacteria or fungi that may be present on the surfaces. This step is crucial in preventing the spread of infections between clients.
Keep Your Workstations Clean
Aside from cleaning and sanitizing your tools, you should also keep all salon workstations clean. Wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant before and after each client. This not only ensures the health and safety of your clients but also creates a professional and inviting atmosphere for them.
Buff Nail Surfaces
Buffing the nail surface helps remove any ridges or imperfections, creating a smooth and even surface. Additionally, buffing can help boost blood circulation to the area, leading to healthy nail growth.
Clean Up the Cuticles
Every mani-pedi session should include cleaning the cuticles. The cuticles protect the nail bed from bacteria and infection, but they can also trap dirt and bacteria when they become overgrown. To keep them healthy, gently push back the cuticles with a cuticle pusher after soaking the hands or feet in warm water.
Pro Tip
Ensure all your nail techs know the importance of proper cuticle and nail prep so that clients receive quality service in your salon.
Moisturize Nails
Keeping nails moisturized is another important factor in maintaining their health. Encourage your clients to apply lotion or nail oil regularly, as this hydrates the area, preventing dryness and breakage.
Offer the Right Services
Specific nail services, such as acyclic manicures, can help strengthen and protect natural nails by acting as a barrier. This can be especially helpful to individuals who generally bite their nails or pick at their cuticles.
Pro Tip
MIA Secret sells long-lasting, easy-to-apply cover nude acrylic powder. Stock up on this essential to offer your clients a protective layer during their next manicure.
Understand What Influences Nail Health
You should also know which factors can influence their nail health. This gives you more profound knowledge that you can share with your clientele. Some of these factors include:
Nutrition
Biotin, a B vitamin, is particularly important for nail strength and growth as it helps produce keratin, our nails' main structural component. Other key nutrients for healthy nail growth include iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. A deficiency in these nutrients can lead to weak, brittle nails prone to breaking.
Proper hydration is another important factor for nutritional health and nail growth. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep our nails and cuticles hydrated, preventing them from becoming dry and brittle.
Lifestyle Habits
Our daily habits can also significantly impact the health and growth of our nails. Excessive exposure to harsh chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products, can weaken and damage our nails. Protecting your hands with gloves while using these products can help maintain your health.
The Impact of Nail Injury
Nail injuries, such as trauma from an impact or excessive pressure, can significantly affect nail health. These injuries can lead to discoloration, ridges, or even nail loss. While you can't always prevent nail injuries, protecting your nails and practicing good hygiene can help minimize the risk. For example, avoid biting or picking at your nails and cuticles to prevent infections and stunted nail growth.
Genetics
While some of us inherit brittle nails, others may naturally have stronger nail beds. Despite not being able to change your genetics, you can take steps to mitigate their effects by maintaining a proper nail care routine.
Know the Signs of Healthy Nails
Another tip on maintaining healthy nails in your salon clients is to recognize the signs of healthy nails. If a client’s nails appear unhealthy, you can direct them towards services that can help strengthen them.
Common signs of healthy nails include:
Pink and White Nail Beds
One of the primary indicators of healthy nails is the color of the nail beds. Pink and white nail beds signify good blood flow and overall nail health. When your nails have a healthy pinkish hue, they receive adequate oxygen and nutrients through your bloodstream. This vibrant color is a direct reflection of your body's overall circulation.
Maintaining pink and white nail beds requires attention to hydration and nutrition. Drinking plenty of water ensures your nails stay hydrated from within. Additionally, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, such as biotin and zinc, supports nail health.
Smooth and Consistent Texture
The texture of your nails can reveal a lot about their health. Smooth and consistent nails indicate your body is well-nourished and free from underlying health conditions. A smooth surface means your nails grow evenly and without disruptions, which signifies balanced internal health.
Diet, hydration, and general well-being play a significant role in maintaining smooth nails. To further enhance nail texture, use moisturizers and protective products regularly as they provide nourishment.
Strong and Flexible Nails
Strong nails can withstand daily wear and tear, while flexible nails adapt to various activities without snapping. On the other hand, weak nails can be the result of excessive moisture or physical damage, indicating a need for better care.
To achieve strong and flexible nails, focus on maintaining a balanced diet and practicing proper nail care. Protein-rich foods, such as lean meats and beans provide, the building blocks for strong nails. Additionally, using protective products, such as nail hardeners, can reinforce nail strength.
Shop for Quality Nail Products
MIA Secret has an array of nail products that can help you maintain the health of your client's nails. With our cuticle oils, nail hardeners, and acrylic systems, you can help your customers keep their nails healthy. Shop now to find the perfect products for your salon!