Introduction to Manicure

You will need..

Pen/highlighter
Manicure package
Nail file

Lesson aims

Introduce Manicures.
Reasons and effects of a manicure.
The importance of consultation.
Recognising contra-indication.
How to carry out filing.
Enamaling the nail.
Homecare advise
Conta-actions

 The word Manicure means what in Latin?

manus for "hand," cura for "care."

 Manicure
The nail industry in recent years has grown
fast. There are opportunities to set up nails
bar and provide services in a range if settings
that provide simple treatments with maximum
benefits such as: mobile, in a salon, home
based technician, hair dressing salon, sports
centre, cruise liner, at airports, media and
fashion, providing simple treatments with
maximum benefits. The best possible way to
maintain and preserve the health of the nail is
to seek a professional manicurist (fingernails
technician) and pedicurist (toenails
technician).

 Manicure treatments include

Consultation and contra-indication checks

Sanitising and cleansing the hands and nails
Cutting and filing the nails to the required length and
shape
Applying cuticle cream and soaking the nails to soften
the surrounding tissue
Cuticle work
Massage
Buffing
Nail enamel application including base coat, coloured
or French enamel and top coat
Luxury treatments may also be provided

 Reasons for manicure treatments

The procedure frees the nail wall and cuticle from

the nail plate thus avoiding nail conditions such as
hangnail/agnail and pterygium.
Infection is prevented.
Minor nail damage is prevented from worsening.
Fragile and brittle nail conditions can be improved.
The skin is improved, delaying the signs of ageing.
To relax the client and make them feel pampered.
To make the hands and nails look attractive.
To present the hands and nails well.
The nail is kept smooth and shapely.

 Effects of manicure treatments

Erythema Vaso-dilation of blood vessels
occurs due to increased circulation causing
reddening of the skin
Improved appearance of hands nails are
shapely, cuticles are tidy
Relaxation

 Contra-indications to Manicure treatments

Before commencing with the treatment, the
therapist should complete a consultation
card.

This will enable the therapist to assess the

client needs and discuss their requirements
and expectations and allow the therapist to
make recommendations for treatment.
The consultation process will also allow the
therapist to visually and verbally screen out
any contra- indications.

What is a contra-indication
A contra-indication is a reason, a symptom, or
a situation that prevents all or part of the
treatment from being safely carried out.

Classifications of contra-indications are

With medical, GP or specialist permission
Contra-indications that prevent the
treatment (Can-not treat)
Contra-indications that restrict the
treatment (Work around)

 With medical, GP or specialist permission

Haemophilia- is a rare bleeding disorder in which the
blood doesn't clot normally.
Medical oedema-is a condition of abnormally large
fluid volume in the circulatory system or in tissues
between the body's cells which causes exsessive
swelling.
Arthritis- is the swelling of one or more joints in the
body.

Acute rheumatism.

Nervous conditions.
Recent hand operations.
Diabetes.
Inflamed nerve.
Undiagnosed pain

 Preventing treatments

Fungal infections
Bacterial infections
Viral infections
Parasitic infections
Severe nail separation
Severe eczema
Severe psoriasis

Severe bruising

 Preventing treatments
Fungal infections-Both fingernails and
toenails are susceptible to the infection,
which usually manifests as discoloration and
thickening of the nail and crumbling edges.
The condition most commonly occurs in
toenails.
Between six and eight percent of the adult
population suffers from nail fungus
infection.

 Who gets nail fungus infections?

Nail fungus infections are more common in men than
women and in the elderly than the young.
one's risk of nail fungal infection include the Slow
growing nails
A family history of fungal infection (genetics)
Heavy perspiration
Humid or moist work environment
Wearing socks and shoes that prevent ventilation
Walking barefoot in damp public places (swimming
pools, gyms and shower rooms)
Previous injury or infection to the skin or nail
Diabetes, AIDS, circulation problems, a weakened
immune system
Tight footwear with crowding of toes

 What are the symptoms of nail fungus

infections?
Nails that are infected with fungus typically
are thickened, brittle, crumbly, ragged,
distorted, dull, and darker or yellowish in
colour. A patient may also experience
infected nails separate from the nail bed.
Sometimes, nail fungal infections result in
pain in the toes or fingertips, and they may
even emit a slight foul odor.
HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
DO NOT TREAT

 Bacterial infection
Injury or infection to a finger
Infection can range from mild to potentially serious.
Often these infections start out small and are
relatively easy to treat. Failure to properly treat
these infections can result in permanent disability or
loss of the finger.
Early recognition and proper treatment of the
following main finger infections will help prevent most
of the serious outcomes.
Paronychia is an infection of the finger that involves
the tissue at the edges of the fingernail. This
infection is usually superficial and localized to the
soft tissue and skin around the fingernail. This is the
most common bacterial infection seen in the hand.

 Bacterial infections how would you know you had a

bacterial infection? Number one, it probably would
hurt. It would cause you pain. There would be
drainage. The nail bed itself would be red. There may
be some whiteness around the nail indicating theres
pus. If you have a bacterial infection, it needs
antibiotics.

 The difference between a fungal infection

and a bacterial infection is the cause. A
fungal infection is caused by fungi, whereas a
bacterial infection is caused by bacteria.

Fungus must be treated by fungicide.

Bacterial infection requires antibiotics.

Bacterial is caused by a kind of

bacteria in your body easily spread
Viral is The easiest spread usually
airborne
Fungal is a disease caused by a spore or
fungus

Restricting treatment
Minor nail separation
Minor eczema
Minor psoriasis
Severely bitten nails
Damaged nails
Broken bones

Re-cap
With medical, GP or specialist
permission
Contra-indications that prevent the
treatment
Contra-indications that restrict the
treatment

 The consultation process should also include noting

the natural nail condition and shape, planning an
appropriate treatment for the clients expectations
and needs and discussing any homecare advice.

It is important of the therapist to understand when

to encourage clients to seek medical advice to
receive advice and treatment for their conditions
It is important not to name specific contraindications when referring to a G.P as a therapist
is not qualified to diagnose
contra-indications,
has no medical training
and it could alarm the client.

 Filing the nail

Nails are shaped using emery boards, metal nail files
will tear apart the nail layers. Emery boards are about
7 8 inch strips coated with emery iron oxide.
Always file the nails to suit the clients existing nail
shape and hands.
It is important to remember that when filing and
shaping the nails that it is the sides which give the
nail its strength and if this is filed away the nail
becomes weak.
Also filing the nails to a point will weaken the nails.
Always file the nail from the sides to the centre at
a 45 angle, filing to and fro will cause the nail to
split and break. This is because the friction is
causing heat within the nail plate thus drying out the
moisture which assists in holding the nail plate
together.

Nails can be grouped into 5 basic shapes:

Round.
Oval.
Square.
Pointed.
Almond.

 When deciding on the nail shapes there

are several factors that must be taking
into consideration:
The clients preference.
Clients occupation.
Clients natural nail shape

 How to file Hold emery board at a 45 degree angle under the nail
plate.
Use the file in one direction only i.e. side to centre,
side to centre
Use long light stokes so that there is less stress on
the nails.
Do not file back and forth as this separates and
weakens the nails causing them to split. It also causes
friction and dries up the moisture leading to flaking
at the tip.
The shape of the free edge should be the same as
that of the cuticle to attain a balanced look.

 Nail enamel application

When deciding on nail enamel, the therapist should

consider the following:
The clients preference.
The condition of the nails short or damaged nails
are most suited to darker shades to diminish the
appearance. Long nails suit subtle shades as well as
dark shades.
Balance the nail colour with skin tones warm skin
tones need cool shades of colour (blue and yellow),
pale, sallow skin colour needs cool pink undertone to
add warmth.
Time of year dark rich shades work best in winter.
Salmon pink, reds, coral and pastels colours work best
in summer.

 Having decided on the correct

colour with the client,
ensure the varnish is at the right consistency,
if not; thin it with an appropriate solvent.
Do not use varnish remover as they may
contain oil and water which will prevent
hardening.
Always apply base coat, if need be a ridge
filler base may be used or a nail hardener if
the nail are weak.
Next 2 3 coats of coloured enamel are
applied and then top coat if required.

Base coat
Always use a good quality base
coat specific to its purpose.
Base coat stays tacky ensuring
good adhesion of coloured
enamel.
Preserves the life of enamel
application.
Contains more resin than
coloured enamel.
Apply in 3 strokes (small nail) up
to 6 strokes (larger

Coloured enamel
Used to add gloss and colour to natural nails.
Cream polish contains insoluble colours mixed with
iron oxide and titanium dioxide.
Pearl polishes get their effect from reflective
transparent crystals of guanine.
Polishes vary in consistency and may require from one
application up to as many as 5 applications to achieve
a professional result.
Apply in 3 strokes (small nail) up to 6 strokes (larger
nail).

Top coat
Used to seal polish in.
To provide a protective
cover for
natural/coloured nails.
Apply in 3 strokes (small
nail) up to 6 strokes
(larger nail).

Possible faults

Chipping varnish..
Due to flaky nail plate.
No base coat used.
Polish applied too thinly.
Oil/moisture left on nail plate.
Varnish force dried

Peeling nail varnish

Nail surface incorrectly prepared.
Polish too thick.
Incorrect base coat.
Application on top of wet coat.
Oil and moisture present.

 Bubbling nail
varnish..
Nail surface
incorrectly prepared.
Polish too thick.
Enamel drying
products were used
between coats

Re-cap