Myth: Washing your hands before a service will cause the natural nail to absorb water, thus trapping moisture under the enhancement, causing "mold." Truth: In many states it is the law that clients and technicians MUST wash their hands with soap and water prior to performing services. And, even if it isn't the law, it's a darn good idea.
Nothing prevents the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other cooties as effectively as a simple hand washing with soap and water!
It takes soaking in water for quite a long time before the nail will begin to absorb water. If the natural nail is water logged when product is applied, the product will not adhere to the nail and the enhancement will usually lift and come off completely within the first 48 hours.
Simply washing your hands will not negatively effect the outcome of your service in any way. In fact, quite the opposite is true! Washing you hands removes dirts and oils from your hands as well as all those nasty cooties that you don't want trapped under an enhancement!
Myth You must use NON acetone polish remover with acrylics or they will come off. Truth: It is true that we do use acetone to remove acrylics. However, I also use 100% pure acetone for removing polish in the salon. Several times a day in fact, and my nails have never fallen off as a result.
Acetone is the most effective, and safest solvent you can use to remove polish. And because acetone evaporates quickly, it isn't in contact with the product long enough to begin the breakdown process of the polymers.
In fact, we recommend that you ONLY use acetone polish remover because our acrylics are silica based, and many solvents in non-acetone formulas will cause the acrylic to yellow and become brittle. Myth: Oil and lotions will make your nails lift. Truth: The truth is that oil will NOT make nail products lift. The product is bonded to the keratin (the protein that hair and nails are made of) of your natural nail and as long as that bond stays in tact, nothing you put on your hands can get between the product and your nail.
A fine botanical oil is actually RECOMMENDED for use twice daily to PREVENT your product from lifting due to excessive dryness. (see Cuticle Oil on the Hints & Tips page) Myth: Your nails are lifting because you have "oily nailbeds." Truth: The fact of the matter is that your nailplates do not have sebaceous glands. They cannot secrete oils. Any oils that are on your nailplates came from somewhere else and can be removed.
Once the product has established a bond to the natural nail, nothing can get in between the product and the nail until and unless that bond is compromised.
It's true that some people do have a more difficult time keeping enhancement products on their natural nails. These people are very rare however and most often the term "oily nailbeds" is used as an excuse by nail technicians who are not adequately prepping the natural nail for product application. Myth: You must remove enhancement products periodically so that your nails can "breathe." Truth: Your natural nails also do not have lungs. They do not "breathe." The natural nail is made of keratin, the same protein that hair is made of. Keratin is non-living, it isn't dead OR alive. It doesn't need to "breathe." With proper maintenance, there's no reason you should EVER have to remove your enhancements.
However, after awhile most enhancements don't look as nice as they did when they were new, and it's perfectly safe and acceptable to remove an old set and replace it with new product if you get the urge. Myth: Acrylics will ruin your nails. Truth: Chemical services for your nails cause extremely little damage to your natural nail. Similar to coloring or perming your hair. Of course, the potential exists to do extraordinary damage to the nail. HOWEVER, in most nearly every case the damage is done either by improper application methods or removal methods.
I see a lot of damage to natural nails from other salons where the electric file (drill) has been used very heavily against the nail, causing deep grooves in the natural nail, or nicks and cuts along the sidewalls.
I use a drill myself and it can be an effective implement in the process of doing nails. The difference is that we at the Art of Nailz believe the drill is a TOOL not a WEAPON! And proper use of this implement will NOT result in damage to the natural nail or pain during the service!
Also, a primary cause of damage to the natural nail is from improper removal of product. The product is designed to bond to the natural nail. When you decide to take your nails off and do it by sitting in front of your television and prying off the product with your teeth, you are not seperating the bond between the product and your nail, you are actually ripping layers of keratin apart! No wonder they're sore and look so bad after they come off, eh?
Next time, try having your nails removed professionally at the salon. You'll be amazed at what great shape they're in! Myth: Eating gelatin will help your natural nails grow. Truth: Your nails are not made of Jell-o. Gelatin supplements will do nothing for any part of you.
Calcium will also not improve your nails, although it is good for your bones.
For the most part, your nails are the way they are because of your genetics and you're pretty much stuck with em. But you can improve them by taking good care of them, keeping them moisturized with a good cuticle oil and not using them as screwdrivers. Also, drink lots of water, which is good for all of you and will increase cell production which can make your hair and nails grow a little faster.
There have been some studies which show that the over-the-counter dietary supplement Biotin improves the strength and resilience of hair and nails. |
