Clients underestimate the value of a professional soak off. You on the other hand, wouldn’t mind trading places with them and spending a few minutes in that comfy chair. Then again, wouldn’t you want a professional and qualified nail technician, like yourself, looking after your nails?
The removal of the client’s nail colour is just as important as the actual manicure and pedicure itself. Though the client might feel differently about it, according to a BTI therapist AND they often think it is something they can do at home. The truth is that healthy nails are the foundation to a lasting and immaculate manicure or pedicure. By ensuring the nail stays healthy by following the correct course of action will not only benefit your client, but also you as nail technician. Thus is it vital for the therapist to know the ins-and-outs of a client’s nails before the soak off.
Here are some guidelines that will not only ensure the perfect soak-off but also the health of their nails:
- Ask the client if they have experienced any sensitivity or allergic reactions to certain nail products. This will help you to establish which products are safe to use and how much time is required to remove the colour before causing an irritation or reaction. Remember that each client is unique and it is normal for each client’s skin sensitivity to be different.
- Always establish what kind of colour treatment the client has on their nails. Acrylic nails can be trickier to soak off while Gelish, or hard gel on the other hand might be easier and less time consuming to remove. By differentiating between the colour application, it will allow you to follow the correct procedures and ensure your client walks away with healthy nails.
- Determine whether they have any cuticle damage or cuts around the nail. Soaking off necessitates using products, like acetone, that can be harsh on the skin and if exposed can cause burning or stinging, which can be extremely unpleasant for the client. Being aware of these tiny snags can help you to work around it, avoid further damage and guarantee a pleasant experience for your client.
- Ask the client what they think about the condition of their nails and their past experience with Gelish, Shellac or Acrylic. Are they struggling with thin or brittle nails? Have these colour treatments left their nails sensitive or splitting? Knowing this will help you to advise them on the best colour treatment going forward as each treatment is adding onto that. Thus, therapists can handle the nails with additional care and awareness.