 Oil nails
twice per day to maintain inherent flexibility. Product
that is allowed to become brittle will crack and break.
It will also help cuticles maintain moisture and prevent
hangnails.
I recommendgrapeseed or almond oil to
condition and moisturize the skin and nails. Applying
oil to the nail enhancement will help to maintain
flexibility by lubricating the product molecules.
Applying oil to the natural nail free edge will help
prevent “curling away” and to maintain proper levels in
the natural nail plate.
Repetitive or severe
pressure on the nail extension will lead to cracks that
result in full-blown breaks. Treat your nails as jewels,
not tools. The use of 'tools' to help you perform your
daily routines will help to insure against breakage. For
instance, use a pop-top opener to open soda cans, use
the side of your hand or finger to open car or
refrigerator doors, and never reach for anything with
your Oifingertips as the nail extensions will reach the
object first.
Nails that are too long for
your lifestyle and activity level (repetitive downward
tip pressure) result in service breakdown. If your nails
become too long between appointments, shorten the length
with a 240-grit file.
The higher the activity
level, the shorter the enhancement should be. An active
length = 1/4 the length of the nail bed. An average
length = 1/2 the length of the nail bed, and a full
fashion length equals the length of the nail bed.
Extensions longer than the length of the foundation (the
nail bed) will cause undue downward pressure with normal
use of the hands and fingers that may result in a broken
or torn natural nail plate.
Properly applied product
will shrink when cured and create an airtight seal.
Mechanical forcing of product through extreme pressure,
picking or nipping rough edges will result in lifting.
Use a 240-grit file to remove rough edges or blend any
lifting into the natural nail plate. Holding the file
flat to the area of lift, gently file in the direction
of the lifted material until the area of lift is
removed. Do not over-file! Over-filing removes vital
nail plate layers and will weaken the natural nail
foundation. To re-seal the product, massage a drop of
oil onto the nail surface, then buff to a dull shine
with a 360-grit buffer. You may also choose to buff to a
high shine with a 3-way buffer.
When changing polish between
maintenance appointments, remove polish with regular
polish remover and a lint free cotton or gauze wipe. I
have never recommended the use of non-acetone polish
remover, as it requires more time to soften polish,
thereby remaining on the product surface, softening and
weakening the surface layer. After the enamel has been
removed, wash hands and scrub nails with a soft
toothbrush. Apply cuticle oil to the product surface and
massage into the cuticles and overlay. Using a
360-buffer, buff the oil into the nail surface to
re-seal the product. Buff to a high shine with a 3-way
buffer or apply one thin coat of base coat, two thin
coats of enamel and a thin application of topcoat,
allowing the layers to dry between coatings.
Fungus infections (Greenies)
are caused by air-borne spores (pseudomonas bacterium)
that have become trapped between the overlay and the
nail plate layers. These spores require food to eat and
moisture to grow. The nail plate layers contain
contaminates along with the natural oil and moisture.
Should any lifting occur between visits, buff away the
area of lift. Do not attempt to glue the area of lift.
Most instant glues are not moisture resistant. Instant
glue also sets-up the instant it is exposed to air. The
glue cannot 're-seal' lifted material and may
incorporate air-borne bacteria or spores into the area
of lift. The bacteria or spores will be trapped between
the nail plate and the overlay, utilizing the natural
nail contaminates as food and the moisture to grow. The
results are a greenish to brownish stain on the nail
plate, which is a by-product of the infection. Should
any area of lift be too large to remove by filing, or
visible discoloration is present, please call for a nail
repair appointment.
To prevent the spread of communicable
or infectious disease, never share your files or
implements with others.
Your personal implements can
be purchased through several different outlets: An
'over-the-counter' beauty supply, drug or department
stores. Sanitize files and implements after every use in
an approved sanitizing solution, rinse well, dry and
store in the container.
Wear gloves when performing
household chores, working in the garden or whenever you
use cleaning solutions of any kind. Most household
cleaning solutions contain chemicals that will affect
the overlay and result in service breakdown. Some
household pest sprays contain a chemical that may
actually melt the surface of the overlay and compromise
the integrity of the product. |
