The success of any nail enhancement service is shared between the nail technician and the client. It is hard to believe but people tend to blame others for their breakage or lifting etc ... It is never one's own fault or carelessness. Human nature I guess. But on the serious note, the nail technician is 50% responsible in diagnosing the clients nail needs by performing a consultation to determine her/his lifestyle, activity level and nail plate shape, prescribing the proper service and recommending home care products and procedures. The client is 50% responsible for following the recommended home care procedures, setting timely maintenance appointments, and following any instructions or advise from the nail technician.
To keep a healthy and maintain the good look of finger nail enhancements for longer require effort from both parties.
That being said, in order to maintain your Nail Enhancements for long-term wearability, follow these simple guidelines.
- Oil nails twice per day to maintain inherent flexibility. Product that is allowed to become brittle will crack and break.
- Repetitive or severe pressure on the nail extension will lead to cracks that result in full-blown breaks. Treat your nails as jewels, not tools! Remember that they cost you money to put them on in the first place!
- Nails that are too long for your lifestyle and activity level (repetitive downward tip pressure) result in service breakdown. If your nails become too long between appointments, shorten the length with the a suitable file.
- Properly applied product will shrink when cured and create an airtight seal. Mechanical forcing of product through extreme pressure, picking or nipping rough edges will result in lifting. Use a suitable file to remove rough edges or blend any lifting into the natural nail plate. Holding the file flat to the area of lift, gently file in the direction of the lifted material until the area of lift is removed. Do not over-file! Over-filing removes vital nail plate layers and will weaken the natural nail plate. To re-seal the product, massage a drop of oil into the nail surface, then buff to a dull shine with the say a 360-grit buffer. You may also choose to buff to a high shine with a 3-way buffer.
- Fungus infections (Greenies) are caused by air-borne spores (pseudomonas bacterium) that have become trapped between the overlay and the nail plate layers. These spores require food to eat and moisture to grow. The nail plate layers contain contaminates along with the natural oil and moisture. Should any lifting occur between visits, buff away the area of lift. Do not attempt to glue the area of lift. Most instant glues are not moisture resistant. Instant glue also sets-up the instant it is exposed to air. The glue cannot ‘re-seal’ lifted material and may incorporate air-borne bacteria or spores into the area of lift. The bacteria or spores will be trapped between the nail plate and the overlay, utilizing the natural nail contaminates as food and the moisture to grow. The results are a greenish to brownish stain on the nail plate which is a by-product of the infection. Should any area of lift be too large to remove by filing, or visible discoloration is present, please call for a nail repair appointment. It is your best option to do so.
- Wear gloves when performing domestic chores, working in the garden or whenever you use cleaning solutions. Keep the harmful chemicals away from your nails whenever possible!
