Bleurk, this reminds me of the NSS I used to go to when I was say 15/16...they bloke had an extra long pinky nail he used to push down cuticles...bleurk! It was a running joke between me and my friends as you'd pray that when you went in it wouldn't be him doing it!

This was recently aired on Australian TV -

http://video.ninemsn.com.au/Video.aspx? ... 875ec1acda

It's good that there are press about discounted stores to allow the general public be aware of how a bad job will affect the nails.

But I don't think they put enough emphasis on the fact that alongside the bad nail techs, there are also many many good nail techs.

Everytime there is a story, it is always about the bad things that has been done to nail, no one ever shows or explain the other side of the story where a good nail job by a properly trained and qualilfied person will totally transform ugly looking nails. That if used correctly, nail enhancements will bring lots of joy to a person's life.

Surely this is extremely unhealthy for our industry and businesses...?

Not to mention how convenient it is! And you don't have to worry about nails at all!
I can't imagine myself without extensions now. Whenever I take them down my own nails look so plain, so insipid.. that I want them, extentions back as soon as possible. ))

I kind of feel the same too. I am born with very short ugly nail beds and the Brisa opaque gel have totally transformed them. Now I walk around with these brilliant long nail beds all the time..!!

Why can't the media see things like this and make a success story....?
There are many many good things about nail enhancements and they can bring a lot of happiness, confident and enjoyment into people's lives.

But I guess bad press is 'good' press. Unfortunely bad story sells.
Yes, it does make the general public be more aware, but it only allows the public to be aware of bad nail jobs.

It's things like this which makes me think that actually, I prefer there is no press at all on the subject.

Small victories one at a time.....
MMA has been banned in Australia since 2007 thanks to the efforts of the APFA [Australia] - with the help of globally recognized experts ie: Doug Schoon [CND USA] - & many others.

The APFA is also currently working towards regulating the industry throughout Australia & it doesn't look to be too far off.
This means sorting through the chalk and cheese..
Educating government & local councils to KNOW what they are supposed to be checking for in all salons/spas/home salons etc & giving them FACT to
work with.

Colleges & educators will have to be of a certain standard to teach and certify new therapists.
All therapists/techs will have to have complete valid and recognized courses to open, insure & operate a nail/beauty business.

This can only be a good thing & hopefully will have a massive roll on effect
to rid us of NSS.
No 'good' therapist should be worried about that at all

We the professional nail techs worldwide have been outraged at the practices of NNS, lack of education, salon hygiene standards,fixing their mistakes & so on hoping someone will do something about it

Finally it has been exposed. Unfortunately their has to be a victim [just one of many]
This is exactly what needed to happen for the industry...Not what the client needed though.
It's not like we haven't tried to avoid this inevitable result due to NSS practices.

I'm happy with the APFA, industry professionals, clients/victims speaking up on my/our behalf & bringing it to the attention of the masses via TV or any media [ this is also posted on youtube...gotta love nailzoo ]

As a professional therapist along with many more Australian techs we have an Association that we can report our concerns to if it is suspected that things aren't up to standard or MMA is being used.

In turn this information has & is being used for example to ban MMA - next regulate to protect good techs - inform & protect the general public.

I believe this opens the door for good nail stories. There is now legal action being taken against this business. Carl [nailzoo] has already volunteered to be a witness lol for this matter [long story]. I'm sure there will be a follow up story regarding this
and this is where a platform to expose bad practices compared to good practicing techs will be made..

One bite of the elephant at a time ....

Sorry if I come across a little dopey, but I know an NSS is a non standars salon,but what exactly does this mean?

Thanks guys!

Hey sister don't feel dopey! I was going to ask the same thing! I wanted to know what all the little acronym's are for like nno etc. maybe a sticky at the top of all the forum links so newbies could look with out asking or feeling a little red in the face

My word!

And yes, people are mad!

unbelievable...

Poor clients!

Brend x

NSS (I hate the term) means Non Standard Salon .... it's a stupid name really and I prefer to call NSS salons Discount Salons.

NSS denotes a salon that is using MMA (methyl methacrylate monomer) to make artificial nails. These salons have become unfairly also linked to drill use and having owners from foreign countries particularly Asia. I say unfairly as obviously there are many oriental and Asian technicians who are brilliant technicians and running good safe businesses and not using MMA and there are many technicians who use nail drills perfectly safely.

There are also many other technicians who are of a very low standard who could easily fall into the NSS category. Lots of salons could come under the banner of being non standard who don't use MMA but good brands.

So I prefer to use the word discount salons as these are the salons that seem to be the worst culprits for damaging nails and for lacking any good hygienic practices and sometimes (not always) for using MMA.

AS for NNO -- this means natural nail overlay and there is an article in the articles section where all the acronyms are listed.

Oh thank you so much! How do you tell is they are useing
MMA?

YOU really cannot. The product would have to be tested in a laboratory.

Totally agree there about the fact MMA is harder and harder to detect. Some of us can tell by smell some can tell by content texture weight. It just depends. But no surefire way. I have a client who had went to get a pedicure done while they had done her nails. Reason I knew they were MMA was because I did a test with the acetone and it did not once lift. Nor did it give or slight flex to it. But after I got a call from her about her toes I had her come to my house and I inspected it.

Horrified is definantly an understatement. I do not know what they did but her large toenail had just .. I guess Rotted off but it was bleeding. Smelled and this all maybe 3 days to a week after she had gone to that discount salon. Which is by the way supported by the major chain superstores. Along with they're normal discount beauty salons for hair. Brands you trust they say? All american products? I scoff at this.

I have nothing against the asians as I have met some of the most brilliant who I had the blessing to go to school with. But what I don't agree with is the fact they just up and come in think they can do a five minute quicky course and take the exam. Or work for over 1k to 3k hours to be able to just go take the exam to get their license. There's no education. No nothing. Just a sweatshop.

I have NO problems being blunt about this with my clients. Their health is my main concern. Their lives are important. They come to us to make them beautiful it's our job to make sure it's done properly and safely.

I make it clear .. "I use only name brand and / or / american or exceptional well known products and my services are ALL american. hard core sanitation is a must! " if I have to be a nazi about sanitation I rather that than to be the blame for the pain and suffering.

Wish there was a way to either make them shape up . Or they're going to have to ship out. ( that doesn't even sound right too I know I know harsh but still ... just being honest )

my nail tech used her own enhanced nails to pick the edges of mine whilst oshe was doing a removal, I havent been back!

my boss does that. i refuse to. i've SEEN it pull off so much of the nail that it bleeds. it's awful