How to Avoid Damaging Your Nails

 

Beyond their aesthetic appearance, our nails play a fundamental role for our hand health and their quality can be influenced by all kinds of different external and internal factors. This is why it is so important to take care of them, and look for ways to nourish and strengthen them on a daily basis. Doing so will also ensure polishes and nail art will last longer which is another reason to get started!

Avoid Nail Damaging Risks!

Like the hair, the nails are composed of about 90% keratin, a strong protein produced by the Nail Matrix located at the base of the cuticles.

Put through daily stress, our nails are exposed to numerous factors that can make them fragile and more susceptible to damage. Breakage, splitting, yellowing, softening… These are just a few of the signs that can alert you to the degree of fragility of your nails.

Prevention and proactivity is always better than reactivity, so here are some situations to avoid if possible when considering nail health;

•  Exposing your nails to chemical products or aggressive solutions (usually found in household cleaners for example) can damage your nails. Protect them with gloves or opt for gentle, natural, non-toxic formulas.
• Over-exposing your nails to humidity can also make them soft and or dry. That is right! It is a common misconception that our nails are waterproof, in fact our nails are porous and water can pass through the fibers, and over exposure to moisture can make our nails extremely fragile and soft which will cause polish to not adhere as strongly as needed for a long-lasting mani.
• Biting your nails is never a good idea! Other than being a bad habit due to hygienic concerns and risk of injury or infection, it also makes nails deformed and can increase damage by splitting, eventually making nails more flimsy and fragile. Better to find other ways to manage stress! In additional to nail biting, using your nails as tools to scratch or open objects is never a good idea!
•  Incorrect methods for nail filing. Beware of back and forth motions and ill adapted tools. Giving your nails a beautiful shape while respecting their integrity is about all done with a file made specifically for natural nails with adapted grains and above all in one direction to avoid splitting and weakening them. 
•  Continuous application of gel and acrylics with acetone removals is notorious for creating weak, brittle and damaged nails. Risks associated with gel and acrylic have been a looming concern, especially recently as the rate of gel and acrylic manicures have risen. Acetone removal is horrible for the nails as it dissolves the natural fat layer of the nails that protects them. Nail fibers and keratin continue to be dissolved and nail health continues to deplete with each gel application and removal process. Additional scraping and drilling done after acetone soaking then furthers the damage to the nails.

Source

Cancellation Policy

We ask that you please reschedule or cancel at least 2 days before the beginning of your appointment or you may be charged a cancellation fee.

Cancellations will be charged half of the service price if not canceled or rescheduled at least 48 hours before scheduled service. Your card will not be charged at time of booking.

536 Main Street

Vacaville, CA 95688

(Inside Jon Edwards Salon & Spa)

Tel: 707.208.7646

Expectations For My Clients

As previously stated on my page, a great appointment isn’t one-sided. While you should absolutely have expectations, there are a few things your nail tech should be able to expect from you, too. We are a team! Let's work together to achieve a successful appointment/service...

• Come prepared — Arrive on time and ready to make the most of your appointment.
• Respect appointment times — Life happens, but providing proper notice when you need to cancel or reschedule helps protect both your time and your nail tech’s.
• Keep your nail tech informed — Share any changes to your health, medications, allergies, or concerns that could impact your service.
• Speak up — If something feels uncomfortable or doesn’t feel right during your appointment, communicate it. Your comfort matters.
• Trust professional recommendations — There may be times when a service needs to be adjusted, postponed, or declined to protect the health and safety of your natural nails and skin.
• Respect policies and boundaries — Policies are in place to create a consistent, respectful experience for everyone.
• Do your part at home — Proper aftercare and maintenance play a big role in achieving and maintaining healthier-looking nails and skin. I can help assist you in the right direction if you are not sure where to start at home for in-between your appointments with me.
•  Stay consistent — One appointment can make a difference, but healthy nails and long-lasting results are built through routine care and maintenance.
• Know the scope of the service — A nail professional can recognize certain concerns and make recommendations, but they are not a medical provider. Some conditions may require evaluation or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

And MOST importantly…Communication. Life happens, Things happen, Open communication is key!

536 Main Street

Vacaville, CA 95688

(Inside Jon Edwards Salon & Spa)

Tel: 707.208.7646

Happy Labor Day

 

“You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” — Lionel Messi

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy your weekend. 

536 Main Street

Vacaville, CA 95688

(Inside Jon Edwards Salon & Spa)

Tel: 707.208.7646

How Often Should You Clip Your Nails?

 

How often should you clip your fingernails? According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, fingernails grow about 2.5 millimeters each month. If you injure your fingernail and it falls off, it takes about 6 months to grow back. If you want to keep your nails a certain length, trim them once every week or two.

Here are some tips for trimming your nails:

• Soften your nails by taking a bath or shower, or soaking them in lukewarm water.
• Use a nail clipper or nail scissors for your fingernails, and a toenail clipper for your toenails.
• Disinfect your tools monthly.
• Cut almost straight across the nail. 

If you don't trim your nails, dirt and germs can get under them, causing infections. Long nails can also break more easily, and can lead to hangnails, tears, or fungal infections. Source

Join our waitlist or schedule regular appointments to avoid the hassle of trimming your own nails! Let UpKept help! Contact us today. 

What's Hiding Under Your Nails

There’s an itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny part of your body that you might be neglecting when it comes to keeping clean. And here’s the thing: this spot is like a disco party for grime, germs, and bacteria. We’re talking about the areas under your nails, and the longer your nails are, the more potential there is for gunk to take up residence.

We use our hands and nails for practically everything. For picking things up off the ground and elsewhere, scratching, holding hands with others, and wiping you know what. This is not an exhaustive list.

“Throughout the day, we use our nails for many mechanical purposes and these actions can accelerate the accumulation of dirt, bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms underneath the [the free edge of our nails that grows outward],” explains Dr. Eric Rudnick, a board-certified dermatologist and dermapathologist based in Boca Raton, Florida. And not to really gross you out or anything, but Dr. Rudnick tells us he looks at nails underneath a microscope regularly, and things get pretty gnarly under there. In fact, he says that anecdotally, up to 90% of these nail specimens have numerous colonies of bacteria and yeast. Blech! Although not really surprising when you think about it.

Remember that part where we reminded you that nails are used for basically everything? Well, the issue of grimy fingernails is a big deal for precisely that reason. We also use our hands to prepare and eat food, and to scratch or touch our skin – sometimes scabs or open woods. Some of us even have the habit of biting our nails or (sometimes unconsciously) putting them in or near our mouth, ears, and nose. In other words, we tend to give this grime a free and welcomed entrance directly into our body.

The CDC also stresses how dirty this area can get, noting that fingernails can even contribute to the spread of some infections. What’s worse for those of us who love a lengthy talon, they point out that “longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.”

The Best Hygiene Regimen for Keeping Nails Clean

No, we’re not saying you absolutely have to cut your nails down to the quick. But we are telling you that you might wanna rethink your current nail cleaning regimen.

“Proper hand hygiene is more important than ever,” says celebrity manicurist Mazz Hanna. “[Whether long or short], you should thoroughly clean under your nails every single time you wash your hands. At least once a day, use a brush with antibacterial soap to gently scrub under fingernails. You can use a new soft toothbrush or a soft brush you can get at any beauty supply store or Amazon.”

While you’re at it, now’s a good time to try to curb that mindless nail-chewing habit and to be more aware of exactly where you’re putting your fingers. Hanna adds that it’s important to avoid picking at your cuticles. Oh, and get yourself some gloves for any dirty jobs. That includes cleaning and scrubbing surfaces in your home, washing the dishes, and working in the garden.

Now that you know just how grody your nails can get, and what to do about it, may you never feel grossed out by the sight or thought of your own hands again. Source

A Little UpKept Reminder: The Waitlist Is Here!

A little reminder from UpKept 

UpKept appointments are one-on-one, which means there are a limited number of appointments available each week. With the schedule filling up quickly, planning ahead is the best way to secure your preferred day and time!

Of course, schedules change and appointments do open up from time to time. That’s where the UpKept waitlist comes in. 

If your preferred day or time isn’t available, join the waitlist! When an opening becomes available that matches your request, you’ll have the opportunity to book it.

Already know you like to keep your hands and feet on a regular schedule? Booking your next few appointments in advance is highly recommended. 

Because UpKept is a one-on-one experience, last-minute openings aren’t always available—but that also means every appointment is dedicated entirely to you.

Book ahead when possible.
Join the waitlist when needed.
Keep your appointments on schedule. 

536 Main Street

Vacaville, CA 95688

(Inside Jon Edwards Salon & Spa)

Tel: 707.208.7646