Aftercare

Immediately After Your Appointment

Your nails are fully cured before you leave, meaning you can carry on with your day straight away. However, it’s still important to treat them with care.

However, if you’ve had a new length or shape, it can take a day or two to adjust. During this time, be mindful of everyday tasks such as fastening seatbelts, opening doors, reaching into cupboards or bags, and handling heavy objects, as accidental knocks are more likely while you’re getting used to your new nails.

Your Nails Are Jewellery, Not Tools

Although your nails are durable, they aren’t indestructible.

Avoid using them to:

• Open drinks cans.
• Pick labels or stickers.
• Scrape surfaces.
• Open parcels.
• Pry objects apart.
• Pick at product.

To help protect your nails, I provide every client with a complimentary drinks can opener, as opening ring pulls is one of the most common causes of chipped or broken nails and nails prematurely lifting, especially in the corners of the free-edge.

Protect Your Nails

Wear gloves when:

• Cleaning.
• Washing up for prolonged periods.
• Gardening.
• Decorating.
• Using household chemicals.

Repeated exposure to water and chemicals can reduce the longevity of your manicure.

Avoid Knocks & Excessive Pressure

Be mindful of repeated knocks or excessive pressure on your nails, particularly if you have a hands-on job or enjoy hobbies that are tough on your hands.

Excessive force can cause the product to:

• Lift.
• Crack.
• Chip.
• Break.

Once this happens, the product is more likely to catch and sustain further damage. If damage does occur it can sometimes affect the retention of your future appointments if the natural nail is damaged.

Keep to Your Maintenance Appointments (Infills)

Booking regular maintenance appointments (infills) is one of the best ways to protect both your manicure and your natural nails.

As your natural nails grow, the strongest part of the enhancement (known as the apex) gradually moves away from its ideal position. This changes how pressure is distributed across the nail, increasing the likelihood of lifting, cracks and breakages.

As a general guide:

• Gel Colour: 2–3 weeks.
• BIAB: 3–4 weeks.
• Hard Gel: 4–5 weeks (or around 3 weeks if you have a particularly hands-on job, lead an active lifestyle, or regularly place your nails under greater stress)

These are approximate timeframes and will vary depending on your lifestyle, occupation, nail growth, nail condition and aftercare.

Never Pick or Peel Your Nails

Picking or peeling your nail product can remove layers from your natural nail, leaving it thinner and weaker. This affects future retention as there is less of the natural nail for the gel to adhere to.

If you’d like your nails removed, I’m always happy to remove them safely.

If Something Goes Wrong

If you notice lifting, cracking or breakage that appears to be related to the product or application, please get in touch as soon as possible.

Under my Repairs Policy, issues reported within 7 days that appear to be due to the product or application may be repaired free of charge.

Have a Question?

I’m always happy to help. If you’re unsure whether something is normal or you’re concerned about one of your nails, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I’d much rather answer a quick question than have you worry or risk damaging your nails further.