Consumer Information
Courtesy of beautytech.com

Artificial Nail Extensions involves a trade-off:
In exchange for having consistently beautiful nails, you must visit your nail technician regularly. You must also use greater care to protect your nails from damage or breakage more carefully than you did in the past before you had the nails applied.

Many people receiving Artificial Nails have ideas about the care, maintenance and possible damage to your natural nails. Your nail technician has been carefully trained in all aspects of nail care. The information provided here should be discussed with your personal technician.

Plan to see your nail technician about every two weeks, but your nail technician will determine a schedule that is appropriate for you.

Treat your nails like jewels, not tools.

• Wear gloves when you do your household work and when you do gardening.
• Use a tool for opening soda cans.
• Dial the phone with a pencil.
• Learn to do things with the pads of your fingers rather than your fingertips and nails.
• Test your hold when lifting heavy objects to be sure you won't break a nail.
• Never do anything that would put upwards pressure on the tips of your nails.

• Do Not do your nail technician's job for her. If you break a nail or it begins to lift, you should glue it until your next appointment, BUT be sure that your nails are DRY, before you glue. Your nails should be out of water for at least one hour before you glue your nails, to insure that they are dry. Extreme caution must be taken so you do not to trap moisture between your nail and the lifting acrylic coating.
• Wearing a Band-Aid for long periods of time could also trap moisture on a nail that has lifted. Be sure to remove the Band-Aid for several hours each day.
• Do Not ignore a condition that develops around your nails. Allergies to acrylic products are rare, but they do happen. If you do develop a condition that is abnormal around your nails, call your nail technician as soon as possible.
• Keep your hands and cuticles soft by applying hand lotion and/or cuticle oil daily. Be 100% sure that the lotion or cuticle oil does NOT contain mineral oil. Mineral oil is the #1 cause of lifting of acrylic nails. Try putting on the lotion or cuticle oil before you put on gloves to wash the dishes. The heat of the dish water will help skin absorb the lotion or oil.
• If you need to reschedule your appointment, call as soon as possible. Your nail technician has appointments booked 2- 3 weeks in advance.
• If you decide you want to remove the artificial nails, please, do not chew them off. Please call your nail technician and she will remove them for you or explain how you can remove them yourself with minimal damage to your natural nails.

Health and Safety Issues

The statements below are based on the New York State, Nail Specialty Licensing law. Never the less, they are definitely common sense rules for today's nail client and Nail Technician. Laws vary from state to state and that obviously means some of the items below are NOT required or mandated by your state laws. You can check with your state's licensing department for special requirements of your state.

• In almost every state in the US, Nail Technicians are licensed. The license should be posted in plain view. If you do not see it.. ask to, or leave!

AIDS is no longer something that can happen to some one else. We all have to be aware and cautious.

• Metal implements used by the technician should be cleaned and disinfected with hospital grade disinfectant after each use.
• Nail files and other disposable tools and implements should be used on you and ONLY YOU. Files may be put away for your next appointment. Towels, paper or cloth, should be disposed of or put in a covered container for laundering.
• The client and the operator should wash their hands with antibacterial soap BEFORE starting the service.
• The table should be clean and disinfected before your service is started.

Above all enjoy your new nails and all the wonderful compliments you will be getting!!

The information in this document is provided to you so you can keep your new nails in perfect condition at all times.

Please read this information carefully. If you have any questions, please consult your nail technician. She will be pleased to answer all of your questions. Or, if you would like a question answered by a Professional Nail Technician, click the Contact.info link on this page.