  Artificial Nail Care
How long will a basic manicure or pedicure last? A basic manicure or pedicure will last one to two weeks, depending on your lifestyle and the type of service you've had. If, for example, you work in the garden without gloves, your manicure probably won't last
long. Artificial nail services, such as acrylics, tips, wraps and gels maintain their fresh appearance much longer.
Maintaining your nails between salon visits with OPI products will give your nails a just-manicured look. What are the main advantages of artificial nail applications?
For people who have a tendency to bite or pick at their nails, there is a 90 percent success rate of stopping with artificial nail applications. There are two reasons for this. First, people are less likely to ruin something they've spent time and money on. Secondly, nail biters are generally inspired by having beautiful hands for the
first time in their lives. Ask your professional nail technician about OPI’s Competition Formula 3000™ Advanced Acrylic System. It can give you the long, healthy-looking nails you’ve always wanted! Will
my natural nails continue to grow under the acrylics? Yes. If your nail technician uses good products, such as the OPI acrylic system, and applies and maintains them correctly. Artificial nails can actually improve the health of your natural nails by protecting
them from biting, picking, excess moisture and other elements that can weaken or damage them. How are artificial nail applications maintained?
Every two weeks your nail technician will fill in the area near the cuticle between where the natural nail has grown and where the artificial nail or tip is attached. This "fill" includes re-sanitizing and re-applying the acrylic where it has grown out.
What are gel nails? How do they differ from acrylics? Gels and acrylics are similar in that they both can be used to extend the length of the nails and make them stronger. One advantage of gel services is that they are odourless
Like acrylic, gels can be applied over the natural nail or over artificial nail tips. What is a “Pink and White” nail service?
“Pink and White” refers to the use of two colours of acrylic applied to the nails to produce a more permanent, natural-looking “French” manicure look. OPI calls this the dual-tone nail. The tips of the nails are sculpted using white acrylic. The base of the nail is then
overlayed with warm or cool pink, depending on your skin tone. OPI’s Competition Formula 3000™ is the only acrylic product that allows your nail technician to customize the shades of pink and white used for the most natural looking dual-tone nails.
How long do artificial nail applications usually last? Artificial nail applications should be maintained every two weeks. It is important to have regular fills because if the acrylic lifts away from
the natural nail, moisture and bacteria can accumulate between them. A professional nail technician can spot problem areas better than someone with an untrained eye. How long will it take for my
nails to return to normal after removing my acrylics? If your natural nails were filed properly in the beginning, and if you've been maintaining your artificial nails with regular visits to the salon, your nails will be in good condition after the acrylic nail is
removed. Be sure to use OPI's Nail Envy™ Natural Nail Hardener to strengthen your natural nails, condition your cuticles with Avoplex® Nail and Cuticle Replenishing Oil and have regular manicures to maintain healthy nail growth
Why do nails split or become yellow ? Nails can split or yellow for a number of reasons. Excessive exposure to the elements or chemicals, poor diet, nail biting and other habits can be the cause. To strengthen nails, useOPI’s Nail
Envy™ Natural Nail Hardener. What are the rules regarding:sanitation & disinfection of the instruments used for salon nail care services?
While each state's board of barbering and cosmetology have different regulations pertaining to salon sanitation procedures, it just makes good sense for a salon to do the most, not the least, when it comes to preventing the spread of contagious diseases. At OPI, we believe that
technicians should thoroughly disinfect all implements and surfaces prior to each client's appointment. Technicians should also practice a thorough hand sanitation regimen to prevent the spread of germs and fungus. OPI’s Swiss Clean Professional Salon Sanitation and Disinfection System is designed to fight germs at two important levels in the salon:
effective sanitation of the skin and nails, and hard surface and implement disinfection. Any salon that doesn't follow conscientious sanitation practices is probably not a good choice for a nail service.
Why is this necessary? What are we being protected from? Common viruses -- such as those that cause colds and flu -- are easily spread from hand to hand. Your nail technician is in direct contact with your hands for long periods of time, which
makes both of you vulnerable to viruses and other contagious diseases. The OPI hand sanitation system includes Swiss Blue Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap, Swiss Guard Antiseptic Handwash Gel, a waterless hand sanitizer that kills bacteria and germs on contact, and N.A.S. 99 Nail Antiseptic Solution A nail technician should never begin a service without
using these types of products! How can I do touch-ups and repairs on my nails at home? OPI has a
Hand and Nail Maintenance Kit which can be purchased at your salon. It is specifically designed to supply the most essential nail care products for use between professional manicures.
It contains all the products you need to properly care for both natural and artificial nails in an attractive carry-all bag..
How to care for your Artificial Nails: Wearing artificial extensions involves a trade-off:
In exchange for having consistently beautiful nails, you must visit your nail technician regularly and you must use greater care to protect your nails than you did before you had them applied. Plan to see your nail technician about every two weeks, but your nail technician will determine a schedule appropriate for you. Do not do your nail technician’s job for her.
If you break a nail or if a nail begins to lift, schedule a repair appointment; don’t fix the nails yourself. Gluing down a loose nail can cause moisture to become trapped between the nail and the extension and could possibly cause an infection. Do not bandage a broken nail either. Bandages can also trap moisture.
Treat your nails like jewels, not tools. Wear gloves when you do any kind of housework or gardening, use a soda can opener on pop tops, and dial the phone with the eraser end of a pencil.
If you are wearing polish or a French manicure, apply a top coat every other day to prevent chipping and yellowing. If you are out in the sun frequently, you may need to apply top coat every day. Your nail technician can recommend a top coat with UV inhibitors made especially to prevent yellowing.
Your nail technician will recommend an application (whether it be acrylic, gel, or a wrap) and a nail length that best suits your hands and your lifestyle. For example, if you are especially hard on your nails because you work on the computer or do heavy work, shorter nails may be best for you.
Keep your cuticles soft by applying cuticle cream, cuticle oil, or a thick lotion once a day. Try this hand-softening trick:
Slather your hands with lotion before you put rubber gloves on to wash dishes. The heat of the dishwater will help skin absorb the lotion, and when the dishes are done your hands will be soft. Reschedule your appointment if you are ill. If you have a contagious
skin or nail condition, wait until it clears before visiting the salon again. Make an appointment with your dermatologist if these conditions persist. Very few clients will discover that they are allergic to an ingredient in some nail products. An allergic reaction is
characterized by redness, itching, swelling, or irritation a round the nail or around the eyes and mouth. If you develop any of these symptoms, call your nail technician. She will help you determine what ingredients you’re having a reaction to and will take steps to help you avoid them. If necessary, she can probably refer you to a dermatologist. Do not
ignore a condition that develops around the nail. If for some reason you decide that you no longer want to wear artificial nails, do not take them off yourself! Although it may seem the simplest way to do it, pulling the nails of f can damage your natural nail and make
re-growth a long and painful process. Artificial nails can be safely removed if done correctly by your nail technician. |
