Health & wellbeing
Nail techs, here’s the difference between irritant & allergic contact dermatitis
Award-winning salon owner, educator & industry consultant, Theresa Foddering, aka The Naildresser, explains the difference between irritations and allergies… In the nail world, we see a lot of terms to describe skin reactions: itching, redness, swelling, irritation, but the real question is: do we fully understand what’s causing these issues? Two common culprits are irritant…
Read MoreI’m a nail tech that developed a gel allergy: here’s my advice
Sophie Pritchard, founder of Creative Claws salon and academy in Anglesey, Wales, shares about her allergy experiences and lessons learned… I’ve been part of the nail industry for about 13 years and things have changed a lot since I joined. PPE wasn’t really a thing when I started out. Gloves? Dust extractors? Masks? Practically unheard of. It…
Read MoreHow to avoid stress when clients offload at the nail desk
Suzy Reading, psychologist & wellness expert for the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC), shares top tips for managing mental stress from being a soundboard for clients… “The energetic and emotional toll of listening to clients’ problems needs to be recognised and addressed as part of basic training,” she comments. “There needs to…
Read MoreLiving as a nail tech with endometriosis: ‘I was heartbroken & scared of losing my nail business’
Scratch chats to Andover nail tech, Jo Bennett, about her experiences suffering with chronic condition, endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition which targets the uterus, causing tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, to grow outside of it. Common symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, severe pelvic pain and extreme period pain. It affects 1…
Read MoreWhy do I have white spots on my nails? Causes & treatment for leukonychia
Have you noticed white spots appearing on your nails? This could be leukonychia – here’s everything you need to know… What is leukonychia? This refers to discolouration, which often appears as white dots or lines on the nail. According to book, Milady’s Art & Science Nail Technology, the cause of this is typically trauma and…
Read MoreSussex nail tech: How I navigate epilepsy to keep offering nail services
Dawn Wolk has huge adoration for the nail industry. It gives her independence and a sense of self-worth – but regular seizures mean she can only accommodate two clients per day. The East Sussex nail pro, who attained an L&P acrylic nail qualification in February 2023, suffers with epilepsy and has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects…
Read MoreBristol nail tech: how I navigate functional neurological disorder (FND)
To mark FND Awareness Day (25 March), Shara Taylor, owner of Bare Beauty Aesthetics, Bristol, opens up about her experiences with the condition… Charity, FND Action, details: “Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder that can encompass a diverse range of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, twitching and…
Read MoreKent nail artist: How I navigate nail competitions with autism & ADHD
Jade Barber, founder of Nail & Beauty Excellence & Scratch Stars L&P Tech of the Year 2022, shares her experiences of neurodiversity in the nail arena… I began competing early in my nail career, as my educator entered me into a student category at a Professional Beauty nail competition. Without that encouragement, I would never…
Read MoreTreatwell campaign inspires London commuters to prioritise self-care
Hair and beauty booking platform, Treatwell, has launched the ‘Out Of Home’ campaign, to encourage Londoners to book treatments for their wellbeing needs. Launched on 10 March and running until 6 April 2025, 300 billboards across the London Underground and 300 buses are displaying the campaign’s messages, reminding commuters that self-care is not a luxury,…
Read MoreNO MORE Week: How nail & beauty pros can support clients experiencing domestic abuse
NO MORE Week is an annual, international campaign to raise awareness about and take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence. It provides resources for individuals and organisations to take action and make a difference, and you can too as a nail/beauty pro. The focus for 2025 is ‘NO MORE Silence’. Research shows that…
Read MoreLife as a nail tech with Raynaud’s: 5 pros share their experiences
Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a condition that affects blood circulation to fingers and toes and can cause them to change colour when cold, anxious or stressed. Other symptoms include pain, numbness and pins and needles. Symptoms vary for each individual and may last for several minutes to hours.…
Read MoreIngrown nails & greenies: how to manage them as a nail tech
Have clients presented you with conditions like ingrown nails or greenies, but you’ve felt unsure about whether you should continue their appointments? Read on to freshen up your initial training and note the natural nail conditions that require medical intervention. While nail professionals should refrain from making medical diagnoses, it’s important to be aware of…
Read MoreColour psychology: Discover the mood-boosting meanings behind your nail colour choices
Save time and add an element of fun at the nail desk by advising clients on mood-based hues using colour psychology, advised by experts… ‘Have you decided on a nail shade?’ is a question you may ask daily, as you patiently watch clients rifle through colour pops and swatches. But brushing up on your colour…
Read MoreHome gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk
Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits have always been readily available:…
Read MoreIntroverted nail techs: how to grow your skills & clientele comfortably
Do you love the creative aspect of being a nail professional: perfecting enhancements and getting arty, but find it challenging to converse with clients and colleagues? You’re not alone. A need to recharge after client interactions or feeling most comfortable in quiet environments are signs of introversion. The word ‘introvert’ is rarely associated with nail…
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