MANICURES AND PEDICURES

By definition a manicure is the cosmetic treatment of the fingernails, including shaping and polishing.   It may involve trimming the fingernails, shaping and filing them, followed by the application of nail polish.   A pedicure is basically a “manicure” of the toenails so for ease of information, we will be combining the information in this section.   The nails of both the fingers and toes are basically made of a protein called keratin.

During "basic manicures and pedicures", the nails are shaped with clipper and/or file, cuticle remover or conditioner is applied, hands are soaked in soapy water, dried and the cuticles are pushed back gently with an orange stick (wooden manicuring tool).   Nails are buffed and lotion is applied to the hand.  This is a wonderful time to receive a basic hand massage. Oil and lotion must be removed from the nail before applying polish.   This is often done with nail polish remover.   Polish generally includes three coats. Base, two to three coats of polish, and a top coat.

The fingernails and toenails can be a “red flag” and act as a signal regarding your body’s internal health and well being.   Healthy nails implies that the body is healthy.   If your nails have vertical ridges, dents, pits, be thin, thick, discolored or have an odd growth pattern it can indicate illness in other areas of the body.   For example, something as simple as the appearance of many hangnails (those annoying bits of cuticle that stick out from the base and sides of the nails) can be a sign that the body is dehydrated.

While a basic manicure or pedicure will involve just cleaning, shaping, and polishing nails, often other types of manicures and pedicures are offered.   “Spa” type manicures can include treatments for exfoliation of the surrounding skin, loosening of the cuticles, product application to encourage and stimulate nail growth and/or a massage and application of softening products to the hands or feet.


FRENCH MANICURE

The French Manicure gives an elegant look and is suitable for both day and evening.   This is a basic manicure where the tips of nail are painted white and when dry the entire nail is painted with translucent shell pink or opaque-tinted polish.

PARAFFIN MANICURE

Includes the application of a paraffin wax treatment.   This treatment is where warm paraffin wax is applied to the hands or feet, or the hands and feet are dipped into the warm wax.   The hands or feet are then wrapped in plastic film and covered with a towel.   This will help to retain the warmth for approximately 15 minutes while the paraffin dries and hardens.   After the paraffin is peeled away the manicure/pedicure continues.

AROMATHERAPY MANICURE

Incorporate the use of essential oils into the soap and massage of your hands and feet during a manicure or pedicure.   These complimentary oils can also be used in lotions and oils used to exfoliate the skin and help loosen and soften cuticles.

HOT OIL MANICURE

Hot Oil manicures and pedicures are often used on very dry, rough hands, which is why this treatment is most often sought out by men.   It is also an excellent way to soften the cuticles before they are cleaned and manicured. Hot oil manicures and pedicures are exactly as the name implies.   Following basic cleaning and filing procedures, the nails and tips of the fingers are placed in warm oil, often a jojoba or almond oil and left to soak.  The rest of the manicure can be completed with or without polish or buffing.

SAFETY

SAFETY in the salon or spa must be a collaborative effort. You cannot rely on the salon to do everything and likewise, they should adhere to the highest of standards.

SAFETY AS THE SALON’S RESPONSIBILITY:  Your salon’s responsibility and duty to you.   Be aware that Spas and Nail Salons are inspected by Cosmetology boards but with the numerous amounts of salons, spas, and nail salons, it is difficult for inspectors to enforce strict adherence to regulations.   Be smart.   Know basic sanitation rules yourself.  Tools such as orange sticks (wooden rods for pushing back the cuticle), tub liners and emery boards are considered “Disposable products” and should not be used person to person. Non-disposable tools should be sterilized and you have every right to ask how they are cleaned.   It takes 10-15 minutes of soaking in a Lysol based or disinfectant solution before cleaning a pedicure tub or manicuring bowl.   If you see a technician “slosh” some disinfectant in the pedicure basin and rinse it out immediately, do yourself a favor and have them do it again, slower.   Remember that un-sterilized tools can transmit viral infections.

Understand the laws of your state, often razors and callous shavers also referred to as Credo knives are used to shave the dead skin from the soles and sides of the feet and are ILLEGAL.  Likewise, the use of MMA and MMA-containing products, the “liquid” in acrylic and artificial nail application is illegal and is not approved for use on nails by the FDA.   If you suspect that your salon is using an MMA acrylic there is one tell tale sign.   When you are soaking your acrylic nails in order to remove them, if the acrylic soaks off within about 20 minutes, you most likely have an EMA not an MMA product on your nails.   If it takes up to 2 hours, you may have MMA acrylic on your nails.

SAFETY AS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:  If you are diabetic, or are taking blood-thinning medication you should inform your manicurist before receiving any nail treatment.  If you have open lesions, or a rash of unknown origin, or any type of communicable disease, give your manicurist a break and wait until you have sought treatment from a doctor before putting others at risk.

You should also be aware of basic rules of nail care.  If you see a darkened or blackened area under your artificial nails, understand that this may be a sign of fungal infection and do not wait until your next appointment to remove them.  Understand that the nail bed is hard but important and never file your nails after you have taken a shower or immersed your hands in water.

SAFETY MUST BE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

If you feel something has been done improperly, make the Spa Manager or Owner aware of the problem immediately.   Don’t wait.