Nail Techs Share Eye-Opening Details That More People Should Understand

You may think you’re doing the right thing by bringing along your own nail file for the technician to use. Yet, in fact, this is frowned upon. How come? Hygiene for one thing: the cleanliness of your tools can’t be guaranteed. Bacteria can lurk everywhere. When you let a professional handle your digits, everything should be spotless!

Are you one of those people who thinks nothing of taking, or making, a lengthy phone call while getting your nails done? We’ve got news for you: you’re probably annoying the technician! Just as folk don’t enjoy listening to someone constantly yapping away in a public space, so the same rule applies here. It’s rude and treats the pro with disrespect.

It isn’t on the same level as, say, a hostage negotiator or bomb-disposal expert. Still, becoming a nail technician can be quite dangerous at times. What’s so deadly about sitting around staring at people’s fingers? For starters, the chemicals you’ll use on a daily basis. Are nail technicians doing themselves harm breathing in cosmetic substances? Some experts certainly believe they may be.

Nail technicians are experts at dealing with whatever may happen at the end of your hands and feet. Yet they aren’t happy to deal with everything. An ingrowing toenail is best left to your doctor rather than someone with a flair for a pedicure. In fact, pedicures on ingrowing toenails are not the best idea in the world, in case you hadn’t twigged! 

A common idea about nail technicians is that they gossip. Maybe they’re gossiping about you? Every cliche has some truth. In the case of a beauty salon, probably more than some! That said, you typically don’t have reason to worry. Plus, while some may not be speaking in your native language, they’re usually shooting the breeze rather than talking specifically about you.

The job of a nail technician is a public-facing role. This means that whatever the customer has, both the pro and the salon’s fellow customers are in close proximity to it. Is the person next to you baring their fungus-infested tootsies? You may be appalled but, for the staff, this is how they earn their living. So toughen up or go home! 

There are few things more relaxing than sticking your feet in a footbath. Yet if you could see inside many of these baths, you might not feel so calm. Did you know that there are bacteria inside the warm bubbles that can lead to things like boils? Newspaper The New York Times highlights pus-filled bulges and rashes as potential hazards.  

No-one needs to know about your unsightly fingernails, thanks to the artificial variety. The perfect crime? Well, unfortunately there are drawbacks to wearing those artificial ones all the time. Gaps form as your actual nails grow under the handy covering, and these require fixing. And this process, reportedly needed every fortnight or so, can result in your nails becoming brittle.  

It’s only proper to get your calluses removed at the beauty salon, right? Well, kind of. It isn’t the no-brainer you might think. Experts recommend soaking and scrubbing them away. Yet shaving them off using what’s known as a “credo blade” is ill-advised, apparently. This foot-attacking weapon is frowned upon, due to its tendency to break the skin and allow infection in.  

Chances are, you don’t think much about your cuticles until they become unsightly. Yet keeping them in good condition is key to strengthening your nails. Applying oil will ensure the ends of your fingers are always at their best. An article on the website of firm Beauty Academy quoted technician Sarah, who said that cuticle oil “is so beneficial in keeping skin and nails healthy and helps nail treatments last.”

Some are embarrassed about taking their shoes off and revealing their less-than-perfect feet. Perhaps your tootsies are in an appalling state, from neglect or through no fault of your own? Either way, it’s very awkward. Don’t fret though — unsightly nails are a nail technician’s bread and butter. Well, not in an appetizing sense, but they’ll have no issue taking care of you.

They may look like a well-respected part of the business, but nail technicians are an arguably unappreciated section of salon life. Like waiting staff, they rely on tips. If you want to make someone who has labored on your nails truly happy, then leave a tip. And not just a tiny gratuity, but a generous one. Recommend them to friends also to help maximize their earnings.

A gel manicure involves putting your fingers under a UV light. Is there a problem with that? There could be. Like those who regularly lie on tanning beds, you might be putting your skin at risk through exposure to the rays. Also, should you believe that gelatine is helping your nails, it’s time for a reality check: experts have debunked this popular idea.

Probably best to avoid a quick trim of the cuticles. All it takes is a dirty blade and infection plus ill health awaits. A healthier option is reportedly to use a tool to push the cuticles into place rather than slicing things off. The tool can also clean under the nails, though be careful the same end doesn’t wind up on your cuticle!

One trick practiced by nail technicians is to thin out polish with acetone. While this isn’t the ideal scenario you want from your salon, it’s what they do in some cases to keep costs down. Plus it’s kind of a useful tip, even though you may not want to pay for having a product applied that’s in less than fresh condition.

It might seem like common sense to have your legs and feet looking their smoothest before venturing into a salon. Yet, point one — that’s what the salon is for in the first place. Point two — you might nick yourself and have a fresh cut ready for any bacteria around the premises to enter your system and cause you potential harm.

Obviously some clients favor the nail scissors when it comes to adjusting what’s on the end of their fingers. The pros on the other hand? They reportedly go for the other option. Technicians suggest you file rather than cut off your nails. Why? Because it results in a smoother finish. Plus there’s the age-old problem of possibly drawing blood and becoming infected. 

This is a beauty salon you’re in, not a bowling alley. Overworn shoes may suit a ten-pin, but not an expert manicure. Flip flops are a great way of airing your feet while you wait, but a note of caution should be sounded. If you overdo it on the flip flops in general, you make yourself vulnerable to tendonitis and other issues. 

Do you need to spend good money on a product which will take off that pesky glitter-infused nail polish? You can reportedly achieve the same effect by using cotton balls, acetone and foil. The balls soak up the acetone which then acts as a handy pad to rest on your nail. You then use the foil to wrap it and hold it in position.

Scammers are everywhere these days, with the beauty industry featuring its fair share of wrongdoers. Watch out in particular for anything involving a deposit. It’s not unknown for some salons to request an advance payment, which is then not refunded should you need to cancel. Also, watch with whom you interact on social media, because they might be pretending to work for a salon.

You can book a professional appointment in advance, or simply walk in. Whichever option you choose, make sure you’re aware of money-saving hacks. Some places offer coupons which provide discounts, so it’s worth shopping around online. Also, it isn’t considered beyond the pale to bring your own shade. Using a personal bottle of polish saves you money.

There is an argument that bringing your own nail polish and so on from home is better for you, hygiene-wise. That way, you know the provenance of the chemicals, though of course your wary nail technician may take the opposite view. If you are using the salon’s supply, check the label for any undesirable ingredients you may not want on your nails. 

A major warning from the beauty pros concerns infection. Everything looks glamorous, but is the equipment the cleanest? An autoclave is the recommended tool of the trade. It’s a machine vessel which uses pressurized steam to trap and eliminate anything nasty, giving the bugs nowhere to hide. It isn’t 100 percent effective, but it’s close enough. The expense involved can put salons off, though. 

Because visiting the nail salon can involve metal tools coming into contact with your skin, chances are you’ll receive a cut at some point. This potential nightmare scenario is made even more worrying by the fact you can possibly have the skin broken without realizing it. Just because you’re not gushing blood, doesn’t mean you aren’t exposed to germs. 

One tip that may prove a life-saver for your bank account involves charges at the salon. It’s easy for the costs to mount up, and when the bill arrives you may well be scanning those add-ons with an incredulous look. Lifestyle website Best Life suggests you check out all prices upfront, because certain establishments don’t put the full menu of charges on display.

Saving money is good, though low prices can translate into low standards, sometimes through no fault of the technician’s own. They just can’t afford to do everything to the highest standard. Plus, it’s specialized work. Speaking to website Job Shadow, pro Michelle Saunders said, “People think that polishing nails is easy! It’s not! Try it yourself, then you’ll see it takes lots of practice and patience.” 

It makes sense to give your hands a bit of a soak at the salon. Doesn’t it? Getting your fingers wet reportedly makes cuticle work easier, but is it a problem for you in the long run? Your nails will expand through absorbing the water, meaning when you walk out of there with freshly painted digits, they may contract and crack the polish.  

If you’re not wearing gloves when doing the regular housework, you may want to start doing so. Why? Because cleaning duties and nail salons aren’t a good mix. Bacteria will collect under your fingernails, creating issues down the line. In an interview with Beauty Academy, Sarah recommends “wearing gloves for DIY and household chores.. your nails are jewels not tools!”

Looking nice can come at a cost, and we don’t just mean financially, though that’s certainly a factor. No, we’re talking about treatments such as manicures using acrylic and dipping powder. Experts have noted the potential infections which can possibly be transmitted from sharing the same powdery nail dip, like hungry partygoers with a bowl of chips and toxic guacamole.

With sterilization a serious part of a nail technician’s trade, you don’t want tools applied to multiple digits. It may seem harmless enough, but do you really want ground down bits of other people’s nails, not to mention whatever else, coming into contact with your foot? We didn’t think so.

A grimy sink is a no-no for anyone who wants to avoid getting up close and personal with bacteria. This is an obvious point to make you might think. Still, it isn’t all that socially easy to check out the state of the porcelain at your local establishment. Giving an impromptu cleanliness inspection may cause offense, but sometimes you’ve just got to do it. 

Hand creams are an important part of making your skin feel silky smooth and generally healthier. Nail technicians aren’t such great fans of them though. How come? The product is a pleasure to use, but not to work with apparently. If you go in with slippery hands, the poor tech could potentially have an accident, leaving you cut or injured. 

It isn’t the business of salons to turn people away if they’re a bit sniffly… and if they sneeze, well, it’s all part of the miracle of nature, right? Nail technicians have it worst, because they sit across from the offending individual. All the same, you’re at risk from catching something also, so we’re thinking maybe keep a face mask handy?

Nails are a very personal subject for many people. So, it figures that some clients are going to have strong opinions on what works and what doesn’t. While techs want to meet those needs, that doesn’t give someone a license to micromanage the session. Relax and let the pros work their magic. Speaking of which, try not to tense up, because that can create an atmosphere.

Having your nails done takes a lot of skill and time. So when they break, it’s understandable that you don’t want to go through the whole process again. Gluing them back together is one option, though it isn’t advised. You may as well have your manicure redone by a pro. Better for the salon’s bank balance, yes, but also kinder to your nails.

Diet is also a factor in the overall health of your nails. Nail technicians don’t mean to sound like your parents, but they’d prefer it if you took your vitamins and ate your greens. Nuts, turkey, fish… the nutrients from these foodstuffs contribute to strong, long lasting nails. Healthy food isn’t everyone’s bag, but it’ll save you money in treatments in the long run.

Nail technicians spend their work time applying polish to nails, yet they advise a degree of moderation when it comes to painting them. The constant wearing of nail polish can ultimately cause damage. Chemicals can be our friends when it comes to general beauty products, but they can also be made up of compounds to which you wouldn’t want long-term exposure.  

A clean workstation means hygienic nails. You may have difficulty inspecting a sink or getting an up-close look at every aspect of the salon. There is one place, though, where you can tell whether a business is good or not — the surface upon which your hands are resting. If the technician doesn’t run a tight ship, they probably aren’t paying attention to your personal hygiene either.

Is your tech filing your nails the correct way? The temptation is to move the file back and forth, in kind of a sawing motion. This isn’t the way the pros do it. As described by website Mommyish, move the file one way and don’t go crazy. Stick to this system and you’ll not only be left with more of your nail, but they’ll also be stronger.

Another thing that nail technicians will tell you is that you don’t just slap the polish on. Without proper preparation, the coat will come off. Glamour magazine noted that you need to watch your cuticles. They can actually interfere with a fake nail and lift it off. Also, shininess is a problem. By buffing the shine away, your nails are ready to be painted to professional standards.