When you are thinking about your hand and nail treatments think about this. Your hands are your introduction to YOU (your calling card). Why spend a fortune on a beautiful ring or bracelet and then not be able to show it off because you are ashamed of your hands, when for half of the price, you could have hands and nails to compliment the finest of jewellery.
Whether the treatment you choose be manicure, nail extensions of which there are so many beautiful options; - gel system, fibreglass or acrylic, will all show a natural well kept finish when correctly and professionally applied.
Hand and nail treatments were at one time part of the beauty therapists’ role, but over time treatments have grown and the nail industry has evolved into a profession of its own hosted by professionally qualified individuals known as nail technicians.
Elegant long nails are not new; the Chinese Mandarins and noblemen wore long nails as sign of wealth and prosperity indicating the lack of work needing to be done by them, with the colour of the nails indicating their status, apparently royal nails were red and black, it is also alleged that they used myrrh oil massaged into the cuticles to encourage nail growth and strength. (Of the nails that is).
A lot of health professionals use the nails as an indication to a person’s general health; an awful lot can be evident in the nails.
Lately the trend has been encouraged by stars of the stage screen and track. Nail art is highly fashionable and fun, many forms are available from a discreet rhinestone to a completely decorated full set of nails, and this is often applied using an airbrush. Nail piercing is a very complementary adornment to a beautiful set of nails and can be fun but make sure your jewellery is correctly applied by a suitably qualified nail technician as the piece of jewellery needs to be secure.
Types of Nail extensions available:-
Very popular at the moment is semi permanent nail colour which is coloured gel cured on to the nail great for holidays and weddings. This is applied in the same way as gel overlay the only difference being the gel in this case is coloured, the gel is then “cured” with the use of an ultra violet light making it durable and will grow out with the natural nail so needing to be filled every 2-3 weeks depending on the nail growth.
An old favourite which is probably the original type of nail extensions and overlays is acrylic. This is used by mixing powder and liquid to a paste then painting it over the nail. This is said to be the toughest and most durable of all nail applications if perhaps not the most natural looking at times. Re-fills will be the same.
Another way of having beautiful nails is fibreglass, this is a much lighter method and most of the time can be as durable as any other and with good application can be very natural looking. Refill time will be the same as other methods as this is dependant on the rate of growth.
All nail applications can be long lasting and durable, they certainly will always look good as long as you are good and take care of them,
- Always use non acetone varnish remover
- Never pick at the nails in an attempt to make them last longer between salon visits. Filing around the growth area at the base of the nail will damage both extension and natural nail.
- Always try to use the side of your finger or knuckle when opening doors not the tip of your finger.
- Never use your nails as tools!