Infuriating articles such as the one attached below, pop up in my social feed once in a while.
They are bound to make the average beauty practitioner boil over with rage, for their mostly unfounded and ignorant, perspectives on the beauty industry. I beg you, as consumers, to do research and use a critical though process during online discovery.. or just ask a beauty expert!
Feel free to peruse this authors take on nail care and I will give you 16 Reasons why most of this article is FALSE FALSE FALSE!!!
1. MYTH: “There's always a risk of a fungal infection (ugh!).” In my, over twenty years in the industry, as both a service provider and instructor, I
have never actually seen a true case of Tinea (fungus) on the nail bed of the hand. I have however, seen cases of mold from lifted nail enhancements that have not been filled at proper intervals. There is not “always” a risk, but there may be a risk, depending on where you go and whether or not you are a savvy consumer. Fungal infections are much more common on the toenails. 2. MYTH: “Overzealous technicians can permanently damage your nail beds.” I personally, have never seen “permanent” damage to the nail bed, other than what has been caused by severe nail biters or severe nail trauma. In order to cause permanent damage to the nail bed itself, tissue beneath the nail would have to develop permanent scarring by deep incision, trauma or a deep chemical burn. You can lose your entire nail and the nail will regrow in pretty much the same way unless the tissue below has been damaged, I have, (sadly) seen clients who have come to me (from other technicians) with their nails having been filed through to the tender nail bed. With proper treatment these nails can be recovered. 3. MYTH: “Gel manicures may raise your risk of skin cancer and even cause premature aging.” There is ZERO scientific evidence linking nail lamp, ultraviolet, exposure to actual damage of the skin on the hands, as there is no way to measure if damage is due to lamps or being outside. A single lamp holds only 36W of power which is about half of what a light bulb holds. You would get more exposure on a day of running errands out doors or having your hands on a steering wheel while driving. Lamps used for “gel manicure” as quoted on this article are now mostly LED based and have no actual “UV”. 4. MYTH: “If your manicurist skips the base coat, you could end up with permanent stains.” It is impossible to permanently stain nails, as they are composed of keratin cells that are renewed and grow out. Even with base coat, a nail may extract pigment from colours such as red. This is NOT permanent and can usually be buffed out or grows out. 5. MYTH: “Nail polish remover can make your nails rough and gritty.” It is true that Acetone can dehydrate the nail bed, but many removers do not contain Acetone and some contain additional conditioners. However, removers used for gel manicure do contain Acetone. You can always ask to have your gel mani buffed off. 6. MYTH: “It actually takes a lot to properly sanitize manicure tools.” It does not “take a lot” to sanitize nail tools. The term “sanitation” itself refers to a range of hygiene practices from removing dirt, to complete sterilization. Writers may wish to have a dictionary handy, to ensure they know what they are talking about....AHEM.
As referred to in the web article link, I will clarify that UV boxes are used mostly for storage and, if following local health regulations, should only be used used as such or not used at all. Tools and surfaces that have come into contact with intact skin require washing and “intermediate” to “high level” ,'"disinfection” Most chemicals now available for instrument care, are able to provide complete “sterilization” within 10-20 minutes. Many places are also turning to disposable items.
P.S .your nail clippers at home are probably a much worse source of disease. 7. MYTH: “Filing is an art, and not every manicurist has it mastered.” The writer is kinda grasping at straws here. Filing is a fairly basic "skill" that most people can master on their own at home. Yet true .. some manicurists just suck. Find one that can use file. 8. MYTH: “Regular manicures can weaken your nails.” Wrong! Regular “nail enhancements” and “gel manicures” may temporarily weaken the nail, (in some cases) by increasing moisture content and causing dehydration upon removal. Regular “manicures” however are good for your nails. There is a difference. 9. MYTH: “You may uncover an allergy you never knew you had.” That’s because you never had an “allergy”. Allergies are indeed rare. I have seen allergic reactions on technicians due to daily exposure to products. Over time they develop an actual, repeated, histamine reaction. On clients I have seen “contact dermatitis” caused by leaked product coming into contact with the skin, causing irritation. This is not an "allergic reaction" and it may occur on some occasions and not others. It is in fact rare to see an actual allergic reaction. 10. MYTH: “Manicures can cost a pretty penny.” If Gigi Hadid wants to spend $2000.00 on a mani- more power to her! It costs anywhere between $25-$50 CAN every 3 weeks to maintain a gel manicure. This is the same range as 2-3 Starbucks lattes a week. Which the writer of the above article likely drinks. 11. MYTH: “You shouldn't get one gel manicure after another, so pick your timing carefully.” It is about as necessary to take a break from nail treatments, as it is to take a break from the hair salon. It a personal choice that you should inquire about with your service professional.
Nails are composed of dead, keratinized cells, not living organisms. Unless they are being grossly mistreated, they will grow out and shed from the body. Complete removal of nail enhancements for the purpose of a “break” may in fact lead to more problems. The best way to manage retirement from nail application is through a weaning process, where lighter products are used as the nail grows out. 12. “ Some nail polish is notorious for containing a "toxic trio" of chemicals.”
Not necessarily a myth but here is more info: To start, many salons provide polishes free of the toxic trio. To clarify, formaldehyde is an organic substance widely found in small amounts within many products. According to The Government of Canada, “Low levels of formaldehyde in indoor air are very common” “It can also be released from sources like cigarette smoke, use of fireplaces and cooking.” It is also continuously excreted from composite wood products, making it impossible to identify a risk in the population that uses nail polish. Toluene is non-carcinogenic and an irritant only on large doses. DBP is Di (n-butyl) Phthalate. Phthalates and are not restricted in Canada, as they are not directly linked to specific issues, as a result of their use in beauty products. The study methods used to determine toxicity involve “whole body applications.” On a side note, they are present in most fragrances. However fragrance companies are not required to label them as such because fragrance formulas are considered to be "trade secrets". The bottom line is, it is impossible to identify the actual implicated risks of any of these substances, as they are all found in items we are exposed to on a daily basis...even the air we breathe!! 13. MYTH: “Simpler looks are coming back in vogue.” Simpler nails are not really coming back in vogue - you only need to go on Instagram to see what trends are occurring. 14. MYTH: “Healthy nails are the new French manicure.” Unless properly manicured, even the healthiest nail will look ratchet. 15. MYTH: “A bold shade of nail polish might hide a nasty infection.” If a nail infection is truly present, it will usually be felt, before it is seen! Therefore a bold shade of polish cannot simple hide it. Otherwise, longer developing infections, like fungus, will generally be revealed. Polish does not last long enough on the nails to cover a nail infection that develops more slowly, such as molds and fungus. 16. And Finally my favorite MYTH to bust... “The best reason to stop getting your nails done professionally is that it's way more fun to do them yourself!” Ummm ...said no one...EVER!! In no way is it more fun to do your own nails!! Have you ever tried painting your own dominant hand?????
With Love Amaris
Save
Save