When I started my beauty training the first unit we studied was manicure and pedicure. Like everyone else in the class I thought it would just involve a bit of filing and then polishing. I was surprised by the information that can be discovered by the condition of the nail plate and surrounding skin. You can tell if someone has taken recent medication or has been ill, if they have a long term health condition, has previously worn extensions or has been a nail biter. By having an understanding of the natural nail and its anatomy a competent nail tech shouldn’t cause damage to the underlying structures, and will be able to recognise diseases or disorders that may affect the treatment. The pink part of your nail is attached to a blood supply so it can be nourished and allowed to grow; once it passes the end of your finger it is a dead structure called the free edge and can be filed to adjust the shape and length.
All factors are taken into consideration before performing a nail service, not just the obvious of the clients colour choice. This is why there are so many nail systems around, each claiming to be better than the next for various usage and conditions. A well educated nail technician will be able to advise and offer sound knowledge on the best way to meet the clients needs without causing damage to the natural nail. They will also have a favourite system they like to work with but will offer sound impartial advice as to the suitability for the individual. At Randle and Randle we, (sorry, I) made the decision not to offer the acrylic nail system based on the facts that the smell is far too powerful in a confined space and would impact on the comfort of all our clients, and that there are many other places offering the service but causing nail damage through poor training.
Jess is our specialist for nails at Randle and Randle and she has worked hard to perfect her nail skills. She offers gel and silk to create extensions and sculptures, as well as using the products to ‘wrap’ the natural nail in an overlay. Gel polish is a salon staple and very popular, as once the gel is cured there is no chance of smudging the finish if you need to use your digits again to get money or keys out of your bag, it is instantly dry and the shiny finish will last the whole 3 weeks!
As a new nail technician in our business Jess is building a good reputation with her clients based on her attention to detail and understanding of her product systems, meaning she delivers excellent results everytime. One of the things which she finds slightly irritating (words altered so as not to cause offence!) is when she treats a new nail clent who has had poor workmanship somewhere else. For one thing a lot of clients aren’t aware of what nail system has been used, so Jess will need to do a soak off before she can continue with her treatment as using different systems doesn’t provide good results. Then there is the ‘reveal’ of any damage – ranging from deep blending grooves to nail infections. In a way the preparation of a nail plate can be likened to the preparation of woodwork in an old house. There is no way of telling what the surface will look like or how it can be treated until the old layers of gloss and varnish are removed. So if you ring for an appointment we usually ask if you’ve been to us before and if you’ve got any nail system on at the moment. This means we can allocate sufficient time for treatment and you will know that you ‘ll be getting a complete service. Believe me that the more questions your nail tech asks before treatment starts then you can be assured they are competent and understand their subject.
So……. to have nails or not? The choice is personal, but always hold uppermost that the natural nail (apart from the free edge that can be filed) is living and is attached to a blood supply. It’s structure can easily be damaged and should be handled with care and respect.
Visit Jess at Randle and Randle and let her share her knowledge and expertise to give your nails a luxurious treatment.