PREPARATION

Before beginning the treatment, make sure that your tools and working area are properly prepared. The average gel nails treatment should take approximately one hour.
Good levels of hygiene and sanitation are vitally important in any salon business. This will help to protect both staff and clients from cross-infection.

DISINFECTION AND STERILISATION

Disinfection is the reduction of micro-organisms by chemical or physical means. The process reduces the population to safe numbers but does not eradicate spores. Sterilisation is the total removal of these micro-organisms and the most reliable method is steam under pressure, such as with an autoclave.

WASHING HANDS

You should always ensure that your treatment space and equipment are clean. Begin by washing your hands before and after every treatment. This should involve a thorough 20 to 30 second wash of the hands and wrists using hot water and a liquid soap, followed by a thorough drying with paper towels. Certain areas of the hands are more prone to harbouring micro-organisms. These are between the fingers, the finger tips, the thumb, the back of the hands and the wrists.

PREPARING SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT

Ensure that all surfaces, including taps, door handles, light switches and general equipment are regularly disinfected. Always use clean towels and bedding and add disposable paper covers to your couch for each client. An area for staff to use for eating and drinking should be provided well away from the treatment area.

PREPARING TOOLS

All of your tools should be clean and sterile before use, and any metal tools should be kept in a disinfectant solution until ready to use in order to maintain sterility. They should be re-sterilised after every treatment. Any creams or lotions should be dispensed from their containers with a disposable spatula. All surfaces should be disinfected after each client.

PREPARING THE WORK AREA

Do not let your own preparation time eat in to the client’s appointment time. Check that the working area has been thoroughly cleaned, and cover it with a towel and paper sheeting, to protect the surface that you are working on. If you are working mobile, remember to adequately protect your client’s furniture, as you do not want to be faced with a huge bill to replace or repair items. You can buy a variety of protective coverings to prevent damage occurring.

EQUIPMENT

You will need the following pieces of equipment for a gel nails treatment:

• Client record card Towels
• Protective Paper Towels
• Protective covering for work surfaces Protective Gown for your client
• Nail Work station and Chairs Disinfectant solution Antiseptic cleanser
• Cotton wool pads Files
• Nail scissors Orange sticks
• Hoof Stick
• Spatulas Magnifying lamp Acetone remover Primer
• Cuticle oil
• Gel – a good assortment of colours to meet your client’s needs Top Coat
• Waste bin-covered Plastic glasses Disposable Mask
• UV / LED lamp – to cure the gel

GEL PRODUCTS

There are a variety of gel polish products on the market, and each one has a slightly different technique. You should research them thoroughly to see which is best for your business and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use that particular product or UV/LED lamp safely and effectively. It is essential that you purchase your equipment and products from a reputable UK supplier/distributor who complies with current EU Cosmetic Regulations.

EFFECTS OF INCORRECT USE OF TOOLS

Nail scissors – can cut the skin if not used with care.

Emery board – when using an emery board remember that the darker side (coarse side) is used to file toe nails and the paler side (finer side) is used for fingernails. The coarse side will be too rough for the fingernail and you may split it. Always file at a 45-degree angle from the outside in on both sides. Never use the seesaw movement as this could damage the matrix and nails may grow deformed.

HOOF STICK

A hoof stick is used to push back the cuticles. Your hoof stick should always be wet so as not to scratch or damage the nail plate in any way. Work from the outer side of the cuticle in circular movements to the centre and the same with the other side. Do not push too hard on the cuticles; they are there to protect the matrix from invading bacteria and physical damage.

CUTICLE KNIFE

The cuticle knife is very sharp and can easily damage the nail plate if not used correctly. Always use wet and at a 45-degree angle as flat as possible against the nail plate. Be very careful not to cut or damage the cuticle or nail plate. Use gentle circular movements from the outer side of the cuticle to the centre and the same to the other side. The cuticle knife is for loosening any cuticle from the nail plate. Do not use it in a backwards and forwards movement.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

You should always be fully aware of the ingredients your products contain in case a client suffers a reaction. Your supplier should be able to give you copies of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which list the product’s ingredients and the proper procedures for handling them. It should also contain any possible effects on health and first aid advice. If a reaction occurs, the client should be given a copy to show their doctor. If you are worried about particular ingredients, you may be able to find alternatives.

POSITIONING YOURSELF AND THE CLIENT

Prior to commencing the treatment, make sure that both you and your client are comfortably positioned.
You should be close enough to them to avoid straining and sat upright in a good working light in a height adjustable chair with a back support.

If you cannot place your feet flat on the floor, then you should use a foot rest. All products and equipment should be in easy reach, between knee and shoulder height. This is to avoid conditions such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), which can occur when movements are continually repeated, and can lead to skeletal or muscular injury.

LED OR UV LAMPS

You must always use the lamp which is designed to work in conjunction with the particular gel polish system you are using. Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the lamp. An LED lamp can cure each layer of gel polish in around 30- 60 seconds. The LED light bulbs last the lifetime of the lamp. A UV lamp cures each layer of gel polish in 2-3 minutes. LED lamps tend to be more expensive than the UV lamps, but are more eco-friendly.

HARD V SOFT GELS

Gel products can be described as either “hard” or “soft” depending on their chemical structure.

Hard gels have tight molecular structures which take longer to cure and result in a harder finish. These gels tend to last longer than soft gels and can be sculpted or used for enhancements. They are removed by filing.

Soft Gels have an elongated molecular structure which are quicker to cure and give a more flexible finish. They are not as long lasting as hard gels but can be removed by soaking in acetone.

Gels products are available which range between hard and soft depending on what results are required. Most of the products used for gel polish treatments are towards the soft end of the range.