HEALTH & WELLBEING

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Onycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?

By Jess Watts | 31 July 2025

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…

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Nails and file

The nail hyponychium: what is it & why does it need protecting?

By Jess Watts | 25 July 2025

Not all heroes wear capes… but sometimes they deserve a little appreciation. Here are some key facts about the hyponychium – your underappreciated nail protector. Akin to how we fill the cracks in between shower tiles, the crevices of our nails also need sealing to protect the nail bed and…

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10 ways to practice self-care as a nail tech

By Scratch Staff | 24 July 2025

Scratch explores the importance of self-care and looks at 10 ways to ensure you prioritise your wellbeing as a nail pro… 1. Take regular breaks Schedule breaks during your working day to recharge: whether five minutes between clients or a full lunch break to refuel and take a walk, so…

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Seattle nail tech: ‘I came out as transgender to a colleague – I was fired the next day’

By Lilly Delmage | 13 November 2024

At his first salon job, Seattle-based tech, Sidney Simpson, came out as transgender and was fired the following day. Having worked just a week at his first salon job, the nail tech shared that he was transgender with a colleague – and just one day later, was fired. He says:…

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How & why nail techs should practice self-care this festive season

By Guest Writer | 10 November 2024

Fiona Fox, owner of Dorset salon, Ulu Beauty, provides training to beauty pros on areas including mental health awareness, safeguarding, equality and diversity. Here, she explores the importance of self-care for nail techs during the festive season and simple self-care fixes. For many, Christmas is a time to look and…

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Menopause Nails

How menopause affects nails & ways to manage symptoms

By Rebecca Hitchon | 30 October 2024

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, and involves a decline in hormone levels – which affects various aspects of a woman’s health. But how does it affect natural nails? “Nail changes caused by the menopause are likely to be associated with low oestrogen levels and dry…

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Adhd

ADHD: How to accommodate employees & clients in the nail space

By Scratch Staff | 28 October 2024

According to the NHS, ADHD affects 3 to 4% of adults and is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the UK. There are multiple variants of the condition, so diagnosing ADHD is difficult and can take years of assessments. For people with ADHD, everyday tasks can often be…

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Best Practice Guide shared by BABTAC to help beauty therapists support menopausal clients

By Helena Biggs | 18 October 2024

A whopping 95% of women believe education and awareness of menopause needs to be improved*. Subsequently, the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) has released MENOPAUSE: A BABTAC Best Practice Guide. The 12-page guide serves to advise beauty professionals on how to treat menopausal clients effectively and comfortably.…

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How a husband & wife joined forces to tackle fumes & dust in the nail & beauty industry

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 October 2024

For Poala Taylor-Riddick, building her own brand had always been a pipe dream – but little did she know that a trip to a beauty salon would spark the idea for business success. While getting her nails done at the salon, Poala noticed its lack of ventilation and poor air…

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