Its been a while since I last wrote a blog post, life has definitely taken a more hectic route however I feel if I was ever going to write a blog again... this would be a good reason to start!
So what is the big secret I hear you say!... so here's the thing, its not a secret at all!!
Over the past few years the nail industry in the UK has had an influx of nail technicians, clients and home users all suffering with allergic reactions to nail products or more accurately Acrylate ingredients within nail products and more recently Gel Polish and Builder in a Bottle type gel.
This has been brought more to the fore with recent television and news reports sensationalizing to some degree and spreading miss information with regards to the effects of Gel Polish and LED nail lamps.
A number of my nail friends have been over run with calls and messages from clients and students worried about what their 3 weekly pretty manicures are doing to their health or students worried that they are in danger of damaging a clients health or that their brand new hard fought for new business is going to fail through lack of clients wanting to have a gel manicure... and yet... I have not had one client or student contact me to question if they are in danger or if they are in danger of damaging a clients health!
You may think is that because I don't have any clients or students however this could not be further from the truth. I run a very successful nail salon with a strong Clientele base and yet not one person has contacted me with regards the recent news coverage.
The reason for this is simple..... I am an educator!
I not only educate my students with the most up to date scientific knowledge but I also educate my clients. I educate them with what they should expect from a Professional Nail Technician.
Upon every new face that visits my nail desk I complete a New Client Consultation in which we discuss many things such as medical history, existing allergies, nail health and personal preferences among many other topics and as part of my Health and Safety checks I will also discuss "Over Exposure" with them.
Over Exposure is in reality the process of how an allergy is generated. In its simplest form it is raw or uncured product touching the skin, whether that product is in liquid or dust form.
The ramifications of an allergy to acrylates are, other than unsightly natural nails, itchy or sore skin, the allergy could prevent the sufferer receiving medical assistance where acrylates would normally be used such as in some operations and dental work.
The increase in allergies within nail services is largely due to the use of at home kits purchased mainly during lock down to continue having gel nails when all Salons (High Street, Mobile and Home salons) were forced to close by law.
Without the correct and thorough education on how to use products containing acrylates, gel products can be dangerous in untrained hands.
Many of these kits have been purchased through 3rd party auction and sales sites with product made outside of the EU and therefore unlikely to be as rigorously regulated as product made within the EU.
Allergies can also be created by products containing acrylate ingredients being used by nail technicians who have not had an in depth education and are not aware of the dangers of over exposure or are not purchasing product through professional and respected brand owners and distributors.
I pass all of this knowledge onto my clients and students from day 1, as well as completing a full and comprehensive New Client Consultation which is reviewed regularly I also talk them through the service... what I am doing/using and why I'm doing it or using it right from prep to applying cuticle oil just so that they understand the process and what should be expected from every nail professional.
So the reason none of my clients or students have contacted me is because they already know the situation and why I work so hard to keep them and myself safe.
Incidentally rather worryingly not one new client I have completed a new Consultation on their first visit to my salon has ever had a Consultation completed before at other salons they have visited... in the whole 6 years I have been working on clients! The times I have heard "I've never had this done before!" is frankly scary.
I whole hearted believe we nail technicians have a duty of care to educate ourselves to keep ourselves and our clients safe around nail products and to educate our clients so that they can make good choices for their nail and health care.
Much Love
Paula xx