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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Endometriosis

My life as a nail technician with endometriosis

By Scratch Staff | 15 March 2024

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…

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Inclusivity

5 areas to consider to make your nail & beauty business more inclusive

By Guest Writer | 13 March 2024

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…

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Nailing Disabilities: Meet Yasmin Hodge, the nail tech on a mission to create an inclusive beauty industry

By Callie Iley | 1 February 2024

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…

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Music Playlist

Why music matters in the nail salon experience

By Rebecca Hitchon | 27 January 2024

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…

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55% of professionals think employers should do more to support workforce wellbeing

By Helena Biggs | 15 January 2024

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…

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Sundays meditative manicure

Find out about the wellness-focused nail salon offering meditative manicures

By Callie Iley | 31 December 2023

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…

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