Learn how to fix 6 common nail health issues. Your clients will thank you big time.
By Marlene Rego
We asked Kristina Saindon, education ambassador for CND, to share her advice on how to remedy six common nail snags, so you can help clients get healthy looking nails in no time.
1. INGROWN NAILS
Ingrown nails can occur when clients improperly trim their nails or wear tight fitting shoes. Explain to clients how to properly cut their toenails and recommend they come in for regular pedicures to maintain their nails’ shape. To completely avoid ingrowns, Saindon refers clients to a podiatrist for surgical methods that will fix the problem for good.
2. YELLOW NAILS
Nails will turn yellow over time from regular coats of polish. Saindon warns clients to avoid low quality polishes, since they contain more dyes. A base coat will also help prevent staining. Always remove polish with acetone because it dissolves enamel quicker and contains less harmful solvents. Try not to rub the polish (and its pigments) into nails when removing.
3. PEELING
Rescue nails with oil! “I recommend CND’s Solar Oil, which is designed to penetrate and buffer against impact by plasticizing the nails,” says Saindon. She also suggests keeping nails coated either with a thin coat of enamel, gel or polymer to slow down the loss of natural oils and act as a shield.
4. RIDGES
You may have noticed ridges on your older clients’ nails. As we mature, small narrow ridges appear vertically on the nail plate because nail growth slows down. Saindon says you should lightly buff the ridges with a low abrasive file but be careful not to over do it, since this could trigger thinning and cause damage. Also, use a ridge-filling base coat to create a smooth, polish-ready surface.
5. FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Walking barefoot in damp public areas, previous injuries, infection to the nail or a weakened immune system can all lead to a fungal infection. Shoes are also a prime breeding ground for fungus. Besides advising clients to wear flip-flops in the gym shower, leave this one up to a podiatrist.
6. WHITE SPOTS (Pseudoleukonychia)
When a client goes overboard with nail polish removers, you may notice a white, flaky appearance on the nail’s surface. This indicates the nails’ natural oils and moisture have been zapped. Make sure the client knows to use solvents sparingly and chooses an everyday oil to “maintain the perfect balance of moisture.”
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