Health
5 ways nail techs can prioritise their mental health when clients offload
Health psychologist, Dr Ravi Gill, explores how nail technicians can create a safe space for clients to offload, while prioritising their own mental health. Nail appointments offer an opportunity for a person to sit still for an hour without the distraction of their phones: an act of self-care and perhaps a therapy session. Nail technicians…
Read MoreNails & cancer: a guide for nail techs
While everyone can appreciate the benefits of a pamper, indulging those fighting cancer can be a truly rewarding experience. Here, experts answer nail professionals’ questions about caring for clients with cancer… What insurance requirements are there? “We offer one of the widest insurance covers available, and work tirelessly with insurers to remove any nasty small print,”…
Read MoreA nail technician’s guide to protective gloves
Robert Giblett, nail industry safety expert & founder of professional nail brand, IKON.IQ, shares gloves insight for nail pros… Why do you need the right gloves? As a nail technician, your hands are your most important tools. Every day, you work with chemicals that can cause allergies and skin problems. The right gloves can protect…
Read MoreOnycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?
Let’s talk the causes of onycholysis, aka nail separation, how to prevent and what to do when it’s presented at the nail desk… Picture this: you scrape your knee and pop a plaster over the top to help it heal. Three days later, that plaster has started to lift. At this point, it’s got all…
Read MoreHow to stop nail biting & picking: experts share treatment plans
Natural nail specialists share tips for nail biting and picking clients… Why do people bite and pick at their nails and skin? “Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, and skin picking and biting, named perionychophagia, are habits associated with stress, anxiety and compulsive disorders,” explains Lucy Price, Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year…
Read MoreHow to remove L&P acrylic nail enhancements safely
Whilst it is tempting to try remove nail enhancements as quickly as possible, correct removal requires professional attention to prevent damage to the natural nail. Here’s how it should be done… Each type of nail enhancement requires a specific method of removal, and the time this takes varies. While UV gel-based systems tend to soak…
Read MoreHow can nail techs prioritise physical wellbeing in the salon?
Scratch turned to industry experts to curate a selection of products and practical tips to promote physical workplace wellbeing. “Beauty professionals invest immense emotional and physical energy into their craft. “Long hours, repetitive movements and the constant pressure to show up for others can lead to emotional and physical depletion,” explains Beata Aleksandrowicz, massage, healing…
Read MoreAvoid burnout as a nail tech in 2026: a mindset shift guide
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares why a shift in mindset is needed by the beauty community in 2026… For years, the beauty industry has pushed the same message, and it really grinds my gears! That message is that if you’re rushed off your feet, you’re doing well. Apparently, a diary with no breaks and just…
Read MoreWhat are rings of fire on nails & how can they be avoided?
Red rings or semicircles that appear on the nail – often referred to as ‘rings of fire’ – can strike fear into the hearts of nail techs and clients alike, but what causes them and how can they be avoided? “Rings of fire appear as red rings on the nail plate near to the proximal…
Read MoreChristmas rush tips for nail techs: why pause matters
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares why pause is a powerful tool during the festive season… It’s that time of year: I start to panic, like my life will come to a close in December and I have to get everything done! My inboxes are full, I have work to do, but the countdown to Christmas has…
Read MoreDo nails need to breathe?
One of the most common misconceptions in the nail world is the idea that nails need to ‘breathe’. To support understanding, let’s take a look at the science behind the topic… Whether you’re a regular at a salon or someone who enjoys using nail polish to do your own manis, it’s likely that you’ve heard…
Read MoreBeauty organisations partner with UK Government to tackle employee illness
More than 60 UK employers are joining forces with the Government to reshape how health issues and disabilities are managed in the workplace. This follows Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review, which revealed that one in five working-age adults are out of the labour force (800,000 more than 2019). The cost of ill health…
Read MoreFrom struggle to success: how a Brighton nail pro thrives with cystic fibrosis
Giorgia Cappella, head of education & spa at The GelBottle Inc (TGB), shares her experiences living and thriving with cystic fibrosis. What is cystic fibrosis? According to the NHS website, cystic fibrosis is ‘a rare, inherited genetic condition that causes breathing and digestive problems. There is currently no cure, but there are medicines and supportive…
Read MoreNail techs with psoriasis reveal what life is like with the skin condition
Psoriasis is a ‘condition that causes dry, scaly and sometimes itchy or sore patches on the skin,’ according to the NHS. Here, two nail techs share their experiences with psoriasis… Fie Pederson, Denmark “I suffer from seasonal psoriasis on my fingers and hands (mostly during autumn and winter) and psoriatic arthritis,” shares award-winning nail artist…
Read MoreMenopause in the nail industry: How to support techs & clients
Pros share how to accommodate the needs of those impacted by the menopause on both sides of the nail desk… How techs can support themselves & staff By Emma Brock, OPI Nail Boss “I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) at 25. The worst symptom for me over the years has been brain fog,…
Read More