Beauty Care (Nail Care)

Expert Group No. 1

Introduction
Nail care is a service referring to cosmetic beauty treatment of fingernails and toenails which can be done
at home or in beauty salons. This service is availed of by both women and men. Preparation of the guest starts
with cleaning of the fingernails or toenails, giving massage to the hands or feet, application of nail polish, and
giving the final retouch.

Cleanliness of the workplace is a very important factor to prevent infection. For hygienic purposes, tools
and equipment need to be sterilized before using them. Health and safety practices are given emphasis, as
well as the risks and hazards to protect the lives of the workers and the guests.

Nail care service may be manicure or pedicure. When working with the fingernails, the term is manicure,
and when working with toenails, the term is pedicure.

Tools, Materials and Equipment in Nail care

There are several tools and materials and equipment needed by the nail care attendant. To make her a
successful performer, she has to familiarize herself with all of these tools and material in giving manicure or
pedicure.

Tools/Implements for Nail Carens bewegen Tools are also referred to as implement. These are durable
handheld materials and must be sterilized after used with a client. There are times when these implements
need to be disposed especially when they do not perform well when used by the beauty attendant. They are
the following:

Nail file. This is used to shape the free edge of the nails to smoothen them. This is usually made up of
metal.

Emery board. This is a wooden sand paper-like material used to file soft and fragile nails. It has two
sides, one side has fine texture and the other side is coarse.

Pusher. This is used to push back and loosen dead cuticle. It is and made of steel.

Nail clipper. This is used to trim or shorten fingernails ortoenails.

Cuticle nipper. It is used to trim excess cuticle found at the base of the nails usually made of metal.

Buffer. It is a tool used to smoothen and polish the nails.

Nailbrush. It is used to brush the nails to cleanse the cuticle or debris around it.

Orangewood stick. This is used to remove excess nail polish around the nails. It is made of wood and is
disposable.

Materials Needed in Nail Care

Materials are supplies used in giving manicure or pedicure which are disposed of after use for each client.
The following are the materials used in nail care:

Cotton. This is moistened with nail polish remover to remove old nail polish. It is also used to wrap the
pointed end of the orange wood stick to remove excess nail polish under the edge and around the nails.

Plastic spatula. This is used to get nail cosmetics from its container.

Towels. This is used to dry the hands and nails of the client. These come in different sizes. The bigger
one is usually used for drying the feet when giving pedicure and the smaller one is towel for the hands.

Garbage bin/bag. This is a disposable bag or receptacle where rubbish is thrown to keep the place clean
and free from clutters.

Nail Cosmetics
There are several nail cosmetics a manicurist should be familiarized with. These come in different brands
and are contained in small bottles with different shapes. The correct application of these is a must and care
should be taken especially on clients who have allergies or sensitivities.
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Expert Group No. 2

The following are the different nail cosmetics:

Nail polish remover. Commonly known as acetone. This is used with cotton to remove old nail polish.

Nail polish solvent. This is used in thinning out nail polish which already has become thicker in solution.

Cuticle remover. This is applied around the nails to soften the cuticle before it has to be pushed and
trimmed or removed.

Hand lotion/hand cream. This is applied to hands before applying the nail color to retain its moisture.
Use of hand lotion will prevent the hands from being dry, cracked and wrinkled.

Nail bleach. This is used to remove yellow stains from the nails.

Nail whitener. This is applied under the free edge of the nails to make it appear white.

Nail color. This comes in different colors. This is applied over the fingernails or toenails to beautify and
protect the nails.

Cuticle oil. It is used to lubricate the skin around the nail surface.

Base coat. This serves as a base applied to the nails before nail color. It prevents the enamel from
chipping, thus gives a good quality grip of the enamel to the surface of the nails.

Top coat or sealer. This is colorless and applied over colored nail polish. The use of this will keep the
polish longer in use before it starts to chip that points to the need for another nail care service.

Liquid nail dry (quick dry). This is applied to dry the nail polish color immediately and to prevent this
from getting smeared.

Equipment in Nail Care

Nail care services need some equipment that is necessary to give satisfaction to the clients. The term
equipment includes permanent items that are durable and used for a longer period of time until they wear out
and need replacement.

The following are the equipment used in nail care:

Disinfection container. This is a receptacle used to hold the disinfectant solution in which tools or objects
to be sanitized are immersed. It is provided with cover to prevent the solution from being contaminated
especially when not in use.

Manicure pillow. This is a hand cushion used by the client to keep her hands steady and relaxed.

Finger bowl. It is bowl that has a special shape for soaking the client's fingers in warm-soapy water or
anti-bacterial soap.

Sanitized wipe container. This is usually made of glass and is used to hold clean absorbent cotton or
lint-free wipes.

Supply tray. This is used to hold different materials and tools used in nail care such as the nail polish,
cuticle remover, cotton balls container and other needs.

Electric nail dryer. This is used to shorten the length of time needed to completely dry the client's nails
after the application of the nail polish. This is optional.

Use of Nail Care Tools/Implements

The correct and proper way of handling nail care tools greatly contributes to the success of nail care
service. Your client will trust you upon observing your confidence in handling tools and equipment while giving
her your services. O

Nail clippers
Hold firmly the clippers with the cutting edges downward between your thumb index, and middle finger.
With utmost care, press the clipper handles together to remove the excess nail length and as desired by the
client.
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Expert Group No. 3

Nail file
With your dominant hand, hold firmly the nail file and position it under the free edge of the nails.
Supporting the hand of your other hand, slide the nail file across the free edge of the center of the nail with one
stroke. Direction should be from the corner to the center of the nails. Avoid filing the nail with back and forth
direction as this may cause splitting or breakage of the nails. Care must be taken that you do not go deep into
the corners. Feel the free edges of the nails if there are rough spots, bevel lightly by filing with downward
stroke using the fine side of the emery board.

Emery board
This is used in similar manner with the nail file. Using the fine surface, bevel the rough surface of the nails
to smoothen it.

Cuticle nail pusher

Hold this in the same manner as you hold the pencil while writing. Before pushing back the cuticle, the
cuticle has to be moistened first with the cuticle remover. With the dull spade side, loosen the cuticle by
pushing back lightly and carefully against the side of the fingernails.

Cuticle nipper
Pick up the cuticle nipper by the handle with the cutting edges facing towards you. The bent tip of your
index finger must be on top of the shank. Position your thumb on the side of the handle and the remaining
fingers over the opposite handle.

Nail brush
Insert your ring finger in between then handle of the nail brush. With a downward motion, brush the nails
from the base to the fingertips to clean the nails and fingers.

Nail buffer
Place the thumb and ring finger under the handle of the buffer, while the index and the middle fingers are
on its top and the pinkie finger is on its side. Smoothen the nails by using downward motion from the base to
the fingertips.

Orangewood stick
Hold the stick in the same way that you hold a pencil when you write. An orangewood stick has the
following multiple purposes:

(1) to loosen cuticle Slightly dip into solvent the cotton tipped orangewoodstick and work around the base
of the nail;

(2) to clean under the free edge of the nail- Work from the center toward each side. Care must be taken by
applying with gentle pressure to preventlive tissue at the root of the nails from being injured.

Maintenance and Safekeeping of Tools and Equipment

The manicurist has to take care of all the tools and equipment in nail care service. It is a must to clean and
disinfect all these after serving each client. If properly handled and maintained, better performance is ensured
and usage is prolonged. Checking the tools and equipment every after use is necessary and immediate
attention should be given to defective ones to prevent further damage.
Maintenance and safekeeping of tools are very important and therefore checking the conditions of these
will contribute to the safety of both the client and the manicurist.

Ways of maintaining tools and equipment:

1. Sterilization. It is the process of destroying all microorganisms present in an object or place.

2. Sanitization. It is the of destroying some, not all microorganisms.

Manicurist needs to familiarize herself/himself with the disinfectant and antiseptic which are needed to
sterilize and sanitize tools and equipment in the beauty salon. But before the process of disinfecting and
sanitizing, preparation of the tools and equipment has to be considered.
The manicurist has to bear in mind that tools or implements should not be used unless these are
effectively sanitized and sterilized. Potential diseases shall be prevented if this is done strictly. Before starting
the work, see to it that tools are organized in its place. A professional manicurist always maintains a high
standard of personal hygiene. The following will guide the manicurist in the correct processes of sanitizing and
disinfecting:
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Expert Group No. 4

Preparation of Equipment to be Sanitized

1. Read the instructions/directions on the disinfectant and understand them very well.

2. Measure and mix the required disinfectant following the direction.

3. Saturate a rag or cloth for cleaning with the disinfectant solution and wipe the entire surface or area of
equipment.

4. Wipe dry the surface area with paper towel or cleaning cloth.

5. Throw away used sanitizing solution and used towels.

Preparation of Metal Tools/Implements for Sterilization

1. Soak the tools in hot, soapy water solution to remove any waste, dirt or oil residue. Rinse them
thoroughly.

2. Soak the tools or implements in a 70% to 90% alcohol solution for 20 minutes.

3. Remove the tools/implements from the solution, wipe them dry, and place them into a dry sterilizer.

Preparation of the Sanitizing Jar

1. Cleanse first the sanitizing jar with disinfectant. Wipe it dry.

2. Arrange a thin layer of sterile cotton at the bottom of the jar.

3. From the wet or dry sanitizer, remove the tools or implements and place them into the sanitizing jar
with handles up, except for the metal nail files.

4. With 70% to 90% alcohol solution, fill the jar enough solution to cover cutting edges and tips of
orangewood stick.

Keeping the Workplace Clean and Safe

1. Beauty salons must be in good sanitary condition. It must bewell-lighted and well-ventilated.
2. The salon premises should be free from rodents, vermin, flies, and other similar insects.
3. Continuous running hot and cold water must be provided in all salon establishments.
4. Washable and clean curtains are necessary including floor coverings which are clean and free from
dust.
5. Hair trimmings on the floor must be kept at frequent intervals. Cotton and other waste materials must
be removed from the floor immediately and deposited in a closed container or garbage bin.
6. The rest rooms should be well sanitized and provided with bathroom tissues and other needs of the
clients.

Things to Do After Every Manicure Service

1. Sanitize properly and keep clean all tools or implements ready for the next use.
2.Provide a separate trash bin for empty bottles and containers.
3. Store, arrange used cosmetic products and other chemicals in their proper place. Label them properly.
4. Clean and sanitize finger bowls before using for the next patron or client.
5. Sterilize metal tools and instrument following proper sterilization procedure. Store them in a clean dry
place until the next use.
6. Dispose tools or implements which are made of porous materials such as nail files, nail buffers, nail
brushes and stick. Some of these are made of wood and cannot be sterilized and therefore may harbor
bacteria easily and may cause disease to both the manicurist and the client. orangewood
7. Dispose properly waste materials in an enclosed waste container fitted with polythene bag. Sanitize
and disinfect garbage container in a well-ventilated area wearing protective gloves while doing this.
8. Dispose contaminated wastes following the correct procedure as prescribed by the local authorities.
9. Repair immediately any tool or equipment which are in poor condition. Otherwise dispose of them
properly for the safety of both the client and the manicurist.

Practice Occupational Health and Safety Procedures Occupational Health and Safety is a planned
system of working to prevent illness or injury where you work by recognizing hazards and risks. Health and
safety are the responsibility of all persons in the beauty service establishments. Hazards and risks must be
identified by the manicurist. Evaluate and control or eliminate the hazard or modify the risk that it poses.
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Expert Group No. 5

Common Hazards in the Beauty Salon

Several hazards are present in beauty salons and these needs utmost attention. Some of these are
identified here and what to do with these hazards
are given below:

1. Electrical hazard
Electrical appliances used in the beauty salons can create serious health and safety risks, especially in
wet condition. Using damage tools and equipment poses great risk. Electrical shock can cause electrocution.
Burns and injuries may result from falls.

What to do? You need to ask the electrician to check all pieces of electrical equipment in the salon or
workplace. This can be done annually or as often as possible.

2. Chemical hazard
Substances used and/or produced at work that are a potential harm to the health and safety of people at
work are hazardous. Skin irritation, asthma, poisoning and cancer are some of the effects to the health of the
workers.

What to do? This can be prevented through good ventilation which will get rid of the fumes and chemical
smell that builds up in a salon. It is advisable to use appropriate personal protective equipment or clothing
(PPE).

3. Fire hazard
Accident may happen like fire since the salon has its electrical appliances. Lack of awareness on fire
safety can harm persons in the workplace.
What to do? An emergency exit route should be provided and this must be the easiest route that clients
and staff can use to leave the building or salon safely.

4. Biological hazards
This is also known as biohazards. These refer to substances that pose danger to living organisms,
primarily the human being. These microorganisms live on the skin and easily spread between clients and
manicurist. Unwashed hands, soiled equipment or contact with blood or body substances may cause the
transfer of the microorganism from one person to another.

What to do? Extra care must be taken into consideration and manicurist should assume that all blood
and other body substances are potential sources of infection. Therefore sanitation and sterilization should
always be the priority in the salon.

5. Ergonomics
In the nail care service, manicurist/pedicurist uses repetitive movements with force like filing and buffing
the nails. Holding uncomfortable positions for a long period of time causes musculoskeletal injuries to the
manicurist.
What to do? In performing these tasks, always pay attention to proper position of your body to prevent
injuries such as back pain, neck, wrist and shoulder pain.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) At Work Personal protective equipment refers to clothing
equipment designed and worn by the manicurists or salon workers to protect them from risks of injury or
illness. Of course, this is only considered as a control measure to minimize exposure to risk. Other important
safety measures are of great factors that should always be considered.

Examples of personal protective clothing for salon worker are gloves, eyewear, splash-proof apron, and
protective mask. Advantages of wearing PPE at work:

1. Nails and skin are prevented from injury.

2. Potentially harmful chemicals to the skin are prevented from being absorbed. Harmful chemicals may
cause allergies, irritation or other related problems.

3. Wearing dust mask prevents the manicurist from breathing in lot of dust or particles while filing or
buffing nails.

4. Breathing in of air contaminated with chemical and/or biological agents is prevented