Nails Your Way

Growth Of The Nail Industry

The growth of the nail industry has produced large numbers of products to choose from. Everyone wants to know which polish will give the longest wear without chipping or fading. According to research done by leading beauty consultants, the polish that will stay chip-free for almost two weeks is OPI. The second best lasting is Sally Hansen's Teflon Tuff Nail Enamel. The third best is L'Oreal's Jet Set Nail Enamel and Almay's new Organic Fluoride Plus Grow Healthy Nail Color.

Whichever nail polish you choose---when you give yourself a manicure, apply a white or clear base coat first. It helps polish adhere to nails and minimizes stains from darker shades. Then apply two coats of color and finish with one coat of clear topcoat. Reapply a topcoat every other day. Don't forget to wear rubber gloves for chores that involve water and detergent. Also wear gloves when you work in your garden or do yard work.

With the increased use of nail services and products in recent years has also come growing concern about safety. According to the Nails Fact Book magazine, U.S. consumers spent billions of dollars on nail services. Today consumers can choose from almost 50,000 freestanding nail salons across the country.

The most requested service, according to the Nails professional magazine fact book, is artificial nails. According to the Nail Pro Gold Book, both spa pedicures and basic pedicures remain at the top of the list for services increasing in popularity.

A new enhancement method called Prescription Nails(tm) creates natural look nails without the use of damaging drills. And they do not require fill-ins. Try them!

SAFETY CONCERNS

The safety concerns that the high growth rate of nail salons has produced are allergies to products and bacterial and fungal infections. The most common problems associated with nail products are allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis, a skin rash characterized by redness and itching and sometimes tiny blisters that ooze.

Certain nail ingredients are known for their tendency to cause allergic reactions. Residual traces of the basic building blocks of ("acrylics") used in artificial nails, for example, can cause redness, swelling and pain in the nail bed. In some cases, the reaction is so severe that the natural nail separates from the nail bed, and although a new nail usually grows in, it may be imperfect if the nail root has been damaged.

Drills (or Grinders or Electric Files) are commonly used in the nail industry. When used improperly, these tools can cause damage to the natural nail matrix (the nail growth center). You should not feel any pain or burning when the drill is being used. If you experience any discomfort, tell the nail technician immediately or request that they only use hand filing or buffing during your service. The improper use of electric drills can also cause deep grooves in the nail plate. These grooves take many weeks or months to completely heal. Sometimes the damage to the nails can form permanent ripples or circles in the natural nails because of scar tissue. If you have felt pain during a nail product application, chances are you have received some degree of damage to your nail beds.

Another common safety concern is bacterial and fungal infections. These infections frequently result from artificial nails. A bump or knock to a long artificial nail may cause it to lift from the natural nail at the base, leaving an opening for dirt to get in. If the nail is re-glued without proper cleaning (with alcohol or cleansing preparation solution), bacteria or fungi may grow between the nails and spread into the natural nail. Also, as the natural nail grows, an opening develops between the natural nail and artificial nail. If this space is not filled in regularly every two weeks, it can increase the chances for infection.

Prior to wearing artificial nails, the moisture content of the human nail is approximately 18%. As a normal daily bodily function, the skin tissue of the nail bed evaporates moisture off of its surface. In other words, it perspires. The perspired moisture passes through the natural nail, which is porous, in order to escape.

When an artificial application is made to the surface of the nail, this moisture evaporation process is blocked. The moisture, unable to pass through the artificial nail material, then begins to build up in the natural nail and is retained there causing moisture content of the natural nail to increase to as much as 28%. The increased level of moisture, caused by the artificial nails, now provides an excellent climate in which fungus and mold spores can grow and multiply.

A fungal infection can take hold when an acrylic nail is left in place too long-such as three months or more-and too much moisture accumulates under the nail. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections also can occur from using unsanitary nail implements, especially in a salon, where the same implements are used on many people. Unclean implements are especially dangerous if the nail technician carelessly nicks the cuticle with a drill or file and the skin around the nail is broken.

Symptoms of an infection include pain, redness, itching, and pus in or around the nail area. Yellow-green, and green-black nail discolorations are signs of a bacterial infection. If an infection appears while wearing artificial nails, they should be soaked off with acetone and gently pushed off with a sanitized implement and the area cleaned thoroughly with soap and water. White nail beds indicate early fungal infection and damaged nails. Nail enhancements worn without a rest period cause weak, thin, brittle nails. Enhancements should be removed every three months so the natural nails are allowed to heal. Have natural nail manicures weekly to help heal and restore the dry damaged cuticles and nail beds. Get fungus removal treatments if needed. If symptoms persist, consult a dermatologist or doctor.

Choosing A Safe Nail Salon

Public health experts suggest the following guidelines to help you decide on a safe nail salon:

* Is the salon licensed?
* Are all the nail technicians licensed?
* Are the implements sanitized between each customer (including drill bits, files and buffers)?
* Is the facility neat and clean? Compare selecting a salon to selecting a restaurant. Ask yourself when you walk in: Would I want to eat here?"
* Are cuticles pushed back with a sanitized implement or just a technician's unclean thumbnail?
* Is a clean towel or matt used between each customer and the table cleansed with alcohol?
* Does the technician wash with anti-bacterial soap between each customer?
* Are Spa Pedicure Basins cleansed and sanitized between each client?

Read Jeanne's Latest Monthly Article In Chapel Hill News & Views.

Nails Your Way
Jeanne Grace Curtis
5900 Orchard Road
Douglasville GA 30135-4726

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770-949-3113