Health & wellbeing
The rise of holistic treatments: the science & sensation behind cryo facials
Holistic treatments have gained significant traction in the beauty and wellness industry, with cryo facials emerging as a notable trend. These treatments reflect a broader shift towards natural, integrative approaches to skincare and overall wellbeing. As industry professionals, it’s essential to understand the underlying principles, benefits, and demographic appeal of such treatments to better cater…
Read More7 top tips to promote wellbeing in the beauty workplace
How often do you feel stressed? Research shows that the average UK adult feels stressed for around eight days per month. Being a beauty professional may be what earns you money, but it is also your passion and should have a positive impact on your wellbeing. So how can wellness be promoted while you work?…
Read MoreHow to tackle loneliness & self-doubt in the nail industry
Your role sees you care for the nail needs of others, but are you looking after your own wellbeing? In an industry with a large portion of solo workers, there’s never been a better excuse to stay connected. “Feeling lonely isn’t in itself a mental health problem, but the two are strongly linked. “Having a…
Read MoreHere’s how to treat common nail conditions – including pseudomonas & onycholysis
OPI educator, Lucy Price-Marshall who is a Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist for 2024 and took the title in 2023, shares troubleshooting pointers for common nail conditions. Identifying and treating common nail conditions and service concerns are valuable skills that will support your career. Knowledge of restrictive and preventative contraindications will…
Read MoreHow to accommodate nail clients with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Nail techs share advice for catering to clients with multiple sclerosis (MS)… What is MS? On its website, the NHS states: “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. Depending on the type…
Read MoreHow I spotted a sign of skin cancer on my salon client’s nail
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, reveals how undertaking skin cancer awareness training benefitted a client… As nail techs, we provide a very personal service. The level of touch brings responsibility, because clients often share deeply personal things. We need to listen, and if asked, support clients to find help for their…
Read MoreBeauty pros, here’s 6 tips to support a more positive mindset
Sarah Hartley, social media coach at Blossom Tree Social & creator of Time To Blossom wellbeing products, shares her advice… Running a business and making time for yourself can feel like a juggle. It can also feel lonely, but you’re not alone – we all have bad days. Staying positive can help you to have…
Read More5 ways to boost your beauty salon team’s morale
Do you and your team members need a morale boost? Scratch gathers expert tips to support positivity in the workspace… 1. Lead by example “Salon owners can establish a cohesive team by leading by example,” advises Lisa Stone, educator at professional beauty brand, Salon System. “You cannot expect your team to be happy and motivated…
Read MoreMy life as a nail technician with endometriosis
The NHS states that endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is a long-term condition, which can have a variety of symptoms and affects each woman differently, ranging from severe period pains that prevent daily…
Read More5 areas to consider to make your nail & beauty business more inclusive
Fiona Fox, owner of Dorset salon, Ulu Beauty, provides training to beauty pros on areas including mental health awareness, safeguarding, equality and diversity. It’s important to champion inclusivity, because everybody should feel able to enjoy nail and beauty services. Inclusion is about making sure anyone who wants a treatment can access it, without fear of…
Read MoreNailing Disabilities: Meet Yasmin Hodge, the nail tech on a mission to create an inclusive beauty industry
Sharing the profound impact of her health conditions on her work, Yasmin Hodge of Wolverhampton business, Gels By Yas, reveals how her experiences inspired the creation of Nailing Disabilities, a Facebook group for beauty professionals with disabilities and health conditions… Dealing with pain in her hands, wrists, shoulders, chest, back and legs, Yasmin’s health conditions…
Read MoreWhy music matters in the nail salon experience
With 70% of Scratch readers playing music in the nail space, according to a 2023 Instagram poll, it’s important to learn how to cater sound to clients to ensure a comfortable experience. Freddie Moross is CEO of Myndstream, wellbeing-focused salon and spa music provider & an advisory board member for the Global Wellness Institute. He…
Read More55% of professionals think employers should do more to support workforce wellbeing
Employers should be doing more to help with employee wellbeing, according to 55% of UK&I professionals polled by international recruitment firm, Robert Walters. The research also found that over two-fifths of senior leaders feel that their increased spending on wellness benefits is largely unnoticed. “We are seeing that the onus has shifted in recent years,…
Read MoreFind out about the wellness-focused nail salon offering meditative manicures
Founder of Sundays Studio, Amy Ling Lin, was inspired by former clients and salon experiences to create a nail space that promotes safety, self-care and inclusivity for both clients and nail specialists. With a focus on wellness for its nail services and product offerings, Sundays Studio offers clients and staff ‘a quiet oasis of relaxation’…
Read MoreNail techs: Here’s how you can overcome creative burnout
Are your nail art ideas waning and are you feeling run-down? Scratch explores the causes and impacts of creative burnout and how to overcome them… What does creative burnout look like? Creative burnout can manifest in a number of ways and will vary from person to person, but there are often tell-tale signs. “It’s important…
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