Chapter 4. Beauty care....Nail Care

• Nail care


  Cosmetic beauty treatment of fingernails and toenails which can be done at home or in beauty salons

  
• Nail care service


  • Manicure (working with fingernails)
  • Pedicure (working with toenails)

  
• Cleanliness of the workplace is a very important factor to prevent infection
• For hygienic purposes, tools and equipment need to be sterilized before using them
• Health and safety practices are given emphasis, as well as the risks and hazards to protect the lives of the workers and the guests
• Tools/Implements for Nail Care

  • Nail file
  • Emery board
  • Pusher
  • Nail clipper
  • Cuticle nipper
  • Buffer
  • Nailbrush
  • Orangewood stick

  
• Materials Needed in Nail Care

  • Cotton
  • Plastic spatula
  • Towels
  • Garbage bin/bag
• Nail Cosmetics


  • Nail polish remover
  • Nail polish solvent
  • Cuticle remover
  • Hand lotion/hand cream
  • Nail bleach
  • Nail whitener
  • Nail color
  • Cuticle oil
  • Base coat
  • Top coat or sealer
  • Liquid nail dry (quick dry)

  
• Equipment in Nail Care

  • Disinfection container
  • Manicure pillow
  • Finger bowl
  • Sanitized wipe container
  • Supply tray
  • Electric nail dryer
• Use of Nail Clippers

  1. Hold firmly the clippers with the cutting edges downward between your thumb index, and middle finger

  2. With utmost care, press the clipper handles together to remove the excess nail length and as desired by the client

  
• Use of Nail File

  1. With your dominant hand, hold firmly the nail file and position it under the free edge of the nails

  2. Supporting the hand of your other hand, slide the nail file across the free edge of the center of the nail with one stroke

  3. Direction should be from the corner to the center of the nails

  4. Avoid filing the nail with back and forth direction as this may cause splitting or breakage of the nails

  5. Feel the free edges of the nails if there are rough spots, bevel lightly by filing with downward stroke using the fine side of the emery board

  
• Use of Emery Board


  Using the fine surface, bevel the rough surface of the nails to smoothen it
• Use of Cuticle Nail Pusher


  1. Hold this in the same manner as you hold the pencil while writing

  2. Before pushing back the cuticle, the cuticle has to be moistened first with the cuticle remover

  3. With the dull spade side, loosen the cuticle by pushing back lightly and carefully against the side of the fingernails

  
• Use of Cuticle Nipper


  1. Pick up the cuticle nipper by the handle with the cutting edges facing towards you

  2. The bent tip of your index finger must be on top of the shank

  3. Position your thumb on the side of the handle and the remaining fingers over the opposite handle
• Use of Nail Brush

  1. Insert your ring finger in between the handle of the nail brush

  2. With a downward motion, brush the nails from the base to the fingertips to clean the nails and fingers

  
• Use of Nail Buffer

  1. Place the thumb and ring finger under the handle of the buffer, while the index and the middle fingers are on its top and the pinkie finger is on its side

  2. Smoothen the nails by using downward motion from the base to the fingertips
• Use of Orangewood Stick


  1. Hold the stick in the same way that you hold a pencil when you write

  2. To loosen cuticle slightly dip into solvent the cotton tipped orangewood stick and work around the base of the nail

  3. To clean under the free edge of the nail- work from the center toward each side

  4. Care must be taken by applying with gentle pressure to prevent live tissue at the root of the nails from being injured
• The manicurist has to take care of all the tools and equipment in nail care service
• It is a must to clean and disinfect all these after serving each client
• If properly handled and maintained, better performance is ensured and usage is prolonged
• Checking the tools and equipment every after use is necessary and immediate attention should be given to defective one to prevent further damage
• Sterilization


  The process of destroying all microorganisms present in an object or place
• Sanitization


  The process of reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level
• Cleaning under the free edge of the nail

  1. Work from the center toward each side

  2. Apply gentle pressure to prevent live tissue at the root of the nails from being injured

  
• Maintenance and safekeeping of tools and equipment

  • It is a must to clean and disinfect all these after serving each client
  • If properly handled and maintained, better performance is ensured and usage is prolonged
  • Checking the tools and equipment every after use is necessary and immediate attention should be given to defective one to prevent further damage
• Sanitization


  The process of destroying some, not all microorganisms
• Preparation of equipment to be sanitized

  1. Read the instructions/directions on the disinfectant and understand them very well

  2. Measure and mix the required disinfectant following the direction

  3. Saturate a rag or cloth for cleaning with the disinfectant solution and wipe the entire surface or area of equipment

  4. Wipe dry the surface area with paper towel or cleaning cloth

  5. Throw away used sanitizing solution and used towels
• Preparation of metal tools/implements for sterilization

  1. Soak the tools in hot, soapy water solution to remove a waste, dirt or oil residue

  2. Rinse them thoroughly

  3. Soak the tools or implements in a 70% to 90% alcohol solution for 20 minutes

  4. Remove the tools implements from the solution, wipe them dry and place them into a dry sterilizer
• Preparation of the sanitizing jar

  1. Cleanse first the sanitizing jar with disinfectant

  2. Wipe it dry

  3. Arrange a thin layer of sterile cotton at the bottom of the jar

  4. From the wet or dry sanitizer, remove the tools or implements and place them into the sanitizing jar with handles up, except for the metal nail files

  5. With 70% to 90% alcohol solution, fill the jar enough solution to cover cutting edges and tips of orangewood stick
• Keeping the workplace clean and safe


  • Beauty salons must be in good sanitary condition
  • It must be well-lighted and well-ventilated
  • The salon premises should be free from rodents, vermin, flies, and other similar insects
  • Continuous running hot and cold water must be provided in all salon establishments
  • Washable and clean curtains are necessary including floor coverings which are clean and free from dust
  • Hair trimmings on the floor must be kept at frequent intervals
  • Cotton and other waste materials must be removed from the floor immediately and deposited in a closed container or garbage bin
  • The rest rooms should be well sanitized and provided with bathroom tissues and other needs of the clients
• Things to do after every manicure service

  1. Sanitize properly and keep clean all tools or implements ready for the next use

  2. Provide a separate trash bin for empty bottles and containers

  3. Store, arrange used cosmetic products and other chemicals in their proper place

  4. Label them properly

  5. Clean and sanitize finger bowls before using for the next patron or client

  6. Sterilize metal tools and instrument following proper sterilization procedure

  7. Store them in a clean dry place until the next use

  8. Dispose tools or implements which are made of porous materials such as nail files, nail buffers, nail brushes and orangewood stick

  9. Dispose properly waste materials in an enclosed waste container fitted with polythene bag

  10. Sanitize and disinfect garbage container in a well-ventilated area wearing protective gloves while doing this

  11. Dispose contaminated wastes following the correct procedure as prescribed by the local authorities

  12. Repair immediately any tool or equipment which are in poor condition

  13. Dispose of them properly for the safety of both the client and the manicurist
• Occupational Health and Safety

  A planned system of working to prevent illness or injury where you work by recognizing hazards and risks
• Common hazards in the beauty salon

  • Electrical hazard
  • Chemical hazard
  • Fire hazard
  • Biological hazards
  • Ergonomics
• Dealing with electrical hazards


  Ask the electrician to check all pieces of electrical equipment in the salon or workplace
• Dealing with chemical hazards

  1. Use good ventilation to get rid of fumes and chemical smell

  2. Use appropriate personal protective equipment or clothing (PPE)
• Dealing with fire hazards

  Provide an emergency exit route that is the easiest route that clients and staff can use to leave the building or salon safely
• Dealing with biological hazards

  1. Assume that all blood and other body substances are potential sources of infection

  2. Prioritize sanitation and sterilization in the salon
• Dealing with ergonomic hazards

  Pay attention to proper position of your body to prevent injuries such as back pain, neck, wrist and shoulder pain
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


  Clothing equipment designed and worn by the manicurists or salon workers to protect them from risks of injury or illness
• Examples of personal protective clothing for salon worker

  • Gloves
  • Eyewear
  • Splash-proof apron
  • Protective mask