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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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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Update: Allergies, nail products & potential risks

By Guest Writer | 5 July 2021

Marian Newman, chair of the FNP, shares important information for nail services… IBOA (isobournyl acrylate) is being used as a semi-permanent adhesive for cancer and diabetic patients. This could cause an overexposure to this specific acrylate. What does this mean? If a UV gel polish has this ingredient it may…

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Nail tech self-love: support the health of your skin, hair & nails with a teaspoon a day…

By Alex Fox | 16 June 2021

Calling all busy nail artists and techs, a teaspoon a day of this nutrient-rich berry mixture from SuperU will add to your self-love and care regime. This anti-oxidant supplement, as seen on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, is a natural blend of ingredients that promise to nourish the hair, skin and…

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My life as a dyslexic & dyspraxic nail technician

By Guest Writer | 9 June 2021

Jade Mullin, Owner of Jade Mullin Academy and Educator for Glitterbels shares what it is like working as a dyslexic and dyspraxic nail technician… After having a long passion for nails I started training in nails in 2019. I am now qualified in hard gel enhancements, acrylic enhancements, gel polish and…

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Nurture a healthy state of mind by surrounding yourself with a great support network: all you need is love

By Alex Fox | 12 May 2021

All you need is love…global nail artist, educator & mentor Alisha Rimando shares her tekking truth  I can’t tell you how many times along my journey I’ve wanted to quit! It’s so easy to just stop.  STOP! Stop the stress, the pressure, the sleepless nights, the long days, the research,…

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Behind-the-scenes of a mental health awareness photo shoot

By Scratch Staff | 10 May 2021

Nail tech and educator, Lisa Graves, shares the story behind a mental health awareness photo shoot… “The last year was a difficult one for everyone across the globe and, subsequently, awareness of mental health issues was heightened. Whenever I saw advertising or social media posts based around mental health, images…

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Inspirational nail tech, Maya Velkova tells of her will to succeed while living with a lifelong disability that could have held her back

By Alex Fox | 4 May 2021

‘Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons’. That sounds great doesn’t it! Yet how does, ‘be a pigeon in a flock of flamingos‘, sound? From my perspective, when being a pigeon one can create great inner strength. In each and every one of us there is some weakness, which…

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