HEALTH & WELLBEING

Ctpa allergy guidance

Artificial nails: 7 steps to reduce the risk of allergy

By Guest Writer | 29 April 2025

Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the Cosmetics, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), shares practical ways to reduce allergy in the nail space… Acrylate monomers, which are the starting materials in liquid & powder (L&P) and UV/LED gel nail systems, can sometimes cause allergic reactions if they touch the skin.…

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6 essential tips for nail techs to protect their physical health

By Lilly Delmage | 28 April 2025

Swiss beauty brand, Mavala, offers its top tips for beauty professionals to protect their physical health and wellbeing whilst working demanding roles… In the beauty industry, technicians play a crucial role in boosting the wellbeing of clients. However, Mavala has noticed the little focus shed on the wellness and self-care…

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Gel irritation theresa foddering

Nail techs, here’s the difference between irritant & allergic contact dermatitis

By Guest Writer | 25 April 2025

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?…

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Breast cancer awareness ribbon

3 ways to support beauty clients with breast cancer

By Guest Writer | 11 October 2023

The Jennifer Young Training School, which specialises in oncology therapies, skincare and well-being for cancer patients, shares how you can support nail and beauty clients with breast cancer… October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time traditionally swathed in pink and dedicated to awareness of breast cancer symptoms. With…

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Mental health emily harris

Devon nail tech & mental health first aider on how to prioritise wellness in the salon

By Rebecca Hitchon | 10 October 2023

“While holding clients’ hands – quite literally for hours at a time, they can open up, allowing you to celebrate the ups in their lives, but also the downs,” says Emily Harris, owner of North Devon business, Vanity Nails & Tanning. The passionate pro is a qualified mental health first…

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Sustainable suppliers

3 steps to choose a sustainable supplier for your beauty business

By Guest Writer | 13 September 2023

Charlotte Scallon, head of sustainability & regulation at waste management company, Biffa, offers a three-step strategy to help businesses understand how to choose a sustainable supplier… Choosing a sustainable supplier that helps you meet your goals can be challenging, but the process should be energising, not daunting. Our three-step strategy…

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Are your gloves protecting you against nail ingredients

Are your gloves protecting you against nail ingredients?

By Katie Barnes | 18 July 2023

In a previous blog for Scratch, we explored what gloves are needed for nail technicians and covered thickness and how often these need to be changed. In this blog, we delve deeper into chemical permeability and how to know if your gloves protect you against the chemicals which you use…

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SPF: What is it & why do beauty pros need to know?

By Chloe Randall | 25 June 2023

The topic of weather is often an ice-breaking conservation starter between nail & beauty pros and their clients. If you have clients who are hoping for sunshine this summer, it’s a prime time to bring up the topic of sun protection. More than one in three (35%) burn their skin…

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Cleaning tools

4 items you should be sanitising alongside your nail tools

By Katie Barnes | 23 June 2023

You clean, disinfect and sterilise your nail tools, but on what else should you carry out these processes? Any reusable items that come into contact with clients’ skin or nails must be sanitised, disinfected and sterilised, depending on your country’s regulations. Protocols referred to in this blog are applicable to…

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