Cuticles

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Karen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2003
Messages
662
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11
Location
Hermosa Beach, California
Hi All,

I had a new client at the weekend - booked a pedicure and manicure. The pedicure went fine, no problems. I moved on to the manicure and decided to do a waterless manicure as she had very soft weak nails. She also had a fair amount of cuticles growing up her nail plate, but it didn't look like anything I couldn't handle, so here are the following steps I took -

1. Sanitized
2. Removed nail polish and shaped nails
3. Applied Creative Cuticle remover and Solar Oil on top
4. Pushed back cuticles with orange stick wrapped in cotton wool

And this is where I came unstuck. :confused: The cuticles didn't budge! I applied more Cuticle Remover and still they didn't move. :sad: I've done this many times before and the cuticles just come away very easily. After a few minutes I decided to leave them and perform the rest of the manicure, but of course, I came unstuck when I came to the polish. I used Scrub Fresh to clean the nail plate and a base coat, but the cuticle was still over the nail. A couple of times the polish ran into the cuticle and I corrected this with an orange stick, but the cuticles were still pretty uneven and ugly looking. I just wasn't pleased with the result at all. I used Creative Breathless a colour that I love and usually have good results with.

The lady's daughter also had a manicure and pedicure and looked lovely, but I feel really deflated about this woman's manicure. I feel I didn't do my best by her. I left them with little mini bottles of Solar Oil and polish coz I felt so bad.

I really wish I had taken more time over the client card and made a note of her cuticles rather than thinking I could handle them. :o

The client seemed happy, but I know I didn't do my best.

My boyfriend says forget it, but it's bugging me. I'd hate to lose a lovely client for something as simple as cuticles! :sad:

My question is - what would others have done? Should I have soaked her nails in water?

Any comments would be very welcome.

Karen
x
 
Yeah, I'd have soaked them. Sounds like there was no other way they were gonna budge. Don't beat yourself up over it tho chick - I'm sure she was happy with her manicure and will come back to you. And if she doesn't, we all live and learn. x
 
Hi Karen, dont beat yourself up about it too much. I had a client who also had cuticle stuck to her nail plate, even cuticle remover wouldn't shift them. This is where your aftercare and retail should have come in. With my client I retailed AHA cuticle eraser and solar oil. I advised her to rub in the cuticle remover and solar oil in together and leave it on overnight, then in the mornings and during the day use solar oil, within two weeks the results were amazing, her cuticle had reduced considerably. HTH

David
 
Thank you both for your speedy replies.

I know you're both right - I guess that's why I'm kicking myself!

I've never had a problem with manicures before and just clammed up! Then I started panicking that I'd run over time (10 minutes after two pedis and two manis). I wish I'd taken a deep breath and discussed it with the client.

I think I'll send her a little gift voucher to encourage her to book again.

I'll keep my fingers crossed! :|

Thank you again for your replies. I feel a bit better now I've posted!

Kx
 
How would soaking have helped? Presumably you'd apply eraser and leave to soak but for how long? That seems to defeat object of waterless manicure if nails also weak.

Secondly, I ask because I was helping at a friend's party and one of the little girls had hugely overgrown cuticles. We were expecting to do a file, push cuticles back with hoof stick and polish but these cuticles were so bad and her nails were so small that there was hardly any room to add polish. What should I do next time.
 
Hi All

Some tips: a waterless manicure is fine for overgrown skin (it's actually the nail fold rather than real cuticle that causes the problem). It sometimes help to add some heat with whatever treatment you are using. Clingfilm or foil and a towell will work if no heated mitts.

When you did you manicure course were you taught to use a metal cuticle remover? An orange stick is not really strong enough but I would not say use a metal one if you have not been shown the correct way to use it but this is much more efficient.

Some skin is so overgrown and so tough that just one 'go' at it will not be enough, it will take a couple of manicures where, bit by bit, it can be lifted. When this happens it is absolutely essential that you client uses a good nail oil several times a day because if not the lifted skin will become very rough and unsightly and also stick back down!

I do not advocate cutting this skin because you just end up in a viscous circle: cut some skin, it grows back a bit thicker; cut the thicker skin, it grows back thicker.....etc. But...if you have been shown how to cut skin safely this could be the one time it may be worth it, but just the once to get over the first hurdle.

Be patient, manicures (good ones anyway) work eventually!

I would not recommend doing anything other than painting or filing to a child (unless it's one of yours)

Marian
 
Hi mum,

Thank you for your reply. We were 'kinda' shown how to use a metal cuticle pusher on my course, but to be honest, I don't feel confident using one.

I did have parafin liners and towelling mittens with me, so I could have used those.

I'm going to send the client a gift voucher. I'm hoping it will encourage her to book with me again and I'll be certain to take some heated mitts with me.

Thank you very much for your comments.

I will feel much more confident if I come across this again.

Regards,

Karen
 
No probs Karen!

I love your 'curiouser and curiouser' strap!! Exactly what I felt all those years ago (still do with life in general actually). That is what made me keep asking "Yes, but why?" It all became clear eventually and now I'm writing books. Keep asking!

Marian
x
 
I love learning - I think it's one of the things that keeps us all going!

I also love Alice and Lewis Carroll so it's kinda apt.

Thank you again for your advise - it really does make a difference.

And good luck with your books.

Regards,

Karen
 
If the client books one of the more basic manicures and you see her cuticles are so overgrown that she really needs a more intense treatment ie your luxury manicure then what do you do? Just do it to get her cuticles down and charge her for basic or try to persuade her to have the heat treatment so you can charge the correct amount. I'm a bit caught on this as I've done a couple of manicures and out of conscience needed to do a good job so done the best one but felt I had to charge for the lesser because that was what was requested.
 
Hey HandyAndy,

Was just wondering the same thing to myself this morning!

I hope someone can make some suggestions?

Regards,

Karen
 
Why didn't you use a metal cuticle pusher? I always use one as I think any thing else just doesn't do the job, as long as your doing it right it won't damage the nail plate any more than a hoof stick would...
 
Hi Sara,

It's a good point and perhaps I should get used to using one.

I'm always worried about taking off nail plate rather than skin. Some of the cuticle was translucent over the nail and I find it very difficult to 'feel' the difference between nail and skin. Also one side of the cuticle was fleshier than the other and I was concerned I may have made the client bleed.

I guess like others say - we live and learn!

Kx
 
Don't give a luxury treatment and only charge for a normal one, you'll loose too much money that way, in time and product!

During the consultation part explain the situation with the cuticles and give them the option of 'upgrading' if there is time whilst explaining how it will probably take a few goes etc. Another option would be to book another manicure very soon. If you had a very busy column in a busy salon you wouldn't be able to 'upgrade' as you would run over and annoy the next client.

If you educate you client well without seeming to be trying to get more money out of them, they will respect your knowledge as a 'nail specialist', will follow your recommendations and, hopefully, stay loyal.

Hope that helps
Marian
 
I'll tell you what, I know exactly what you're going thru, in the climate where I live this seems to be an oh-too-common problem. BUT, I have never had any problem using BE NATURAL'S CUTICLE ELIMINATOR along side OPI's Cuticle PUSHER PLUS.
 
Just to add to the other brill posts..............
Retail some CND Cuticle eraser and solar oil..............
Get her to do a eraser/oil pack at night.....I call this the power care pack.........
This will lift of the overgrown non living tissue, it will keep the nailplate in fab condition and will make your next manicure appointment with her so much easier.........All she has to do is use it every night for a week......... This also gets her into the good habit of solar oiling her nails................
So every one is a winner here, you as it will make your next manicure with her a breeze, well nearly...... her as she will end up eventualy with cuticles proud to frame any brill art work(enamel) you will create...............

I use this when I have nail biters enhancements booked in..........
I call it the special care plan and it is all included in the final enhancement price.......

But you could adapt this to a special nail care plan.................
Say 3 manicures, plus products for XYZ price....................
They pay this on there first visit................
Just my thoughts
 
I have seen an article by the Geek himself in Scratch about a nail disorder called P something or other! Where the cuticle has become thick and grown up with the nail. I hope you know what Im talking about?

This sounds very similar to what this lady has described in her original post and the article says not to touch it as it could be painful for the client.

Im now worried that I may have hurt someone as I would and have done what you guys have all suggested including cutting away the really big flap of tissure that seems to be left when using AHA Cuticle remover and solar oil ( i never cut the cuticle otherwise)

It seems to be especially bad on nail biters but ive also seen it on people with quite nice nails.

Is this right as its been playing on my mind a bit. Ive probably mixed it up all wrong in my brain and/or not read something correctly but need to make sure.
 

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