Here we go again, nails breathing!!!

[Blush86]

Please can someone help me with this one.

The beauty therapist in my salon, and I are having a professional 'debate' about whether or not your nails need a break from nail enhancements.

She was taught in college that nails should be left free of polish sometimes to help maintain condition, and she is of the opinion that nail enhancements should be left off.

She doesn't particularly think that they need to 'breathe' as such but she is of the opinion that they are not totally 'dead' until they reach the free edge and need a break.

Please could someone give me the theory behind why you don't need a break of enhancements.

I know that you don't need a break, but she wants the theory of why lol!!!

I'm adamant that I'm right, and we are having a right old professional scrap about it lol :green:

Thanks guys

 

['chelle]

I'll leave it to someone else to give you an accurate theoretical explaination as to why they dont need to "breathe", but of course its all based on the fact that your nails are made from keratin which is a protein, and this does not need to breathe oxygen.

However, although I know that nails dont need to breathe, I do feel slightly conflicted on a personal level. I recently removed my acrylics to do a course, and my nails underneath dont feel the same as they should. They dont look damaged, but they are softer than they should be. I've decided to leave the acrylics off for a while and let them regain some strength. I've worn acrylics for as long as I can remember, and I'm sure that if I was to re-apply them and continue to wear them it would be fine and would not cause any damage or deterioration, but from a personal preference perspective I do think that it will do my nails good to give them a short break.

 

[Blush86]

I've told her the keratin thing and how it is the same as you hair etc. Should see the two of us - head to head arguing - so funny!

Just want to give her the theory to shut her up!

 

[Nataliya]

This is a myth that nails should be removed every couple of month to allow the natural nails to "breath".

there are no any scientific evidence showing that natural nail need to breath, as well as it is not capable of breathing.

Enhancements shall only be removed when it is absolutely necessary as the actual removal (especially with gels) will cause thinning and weakening of the natural nail plate.

this is where NSS comes in - as improper removal, when techs are too lazy waiting the product to properly soak off (l&P), filing off (gels) causes the biggest damage to the natural nail. Picking and ripping the enhancement removes layers of natural nail.

in most cases technician is responsible for clients natural nail damage.

hopr this helps:hug:

 

[magsham]

Please can someone help me with this one.

The beauty therapist in my salon, and I are having a professional 'debate' about whether or not your nails need a break from nail enhancements.

She was taught in college that nails should be left free of polish sometimes to help maintain condition, and she is of the opinion that nail enhancements should be left off.

She doesn't particularly think that they need to 'breathe' as such but she is of the opinion that they are not totally 'dead' until they reach the free edge and need a break.

Please could someone give me the theory behind why you don't need a break of enhancements.

I know that you don't need a break, but she wants the theory of why lol!!!

I'm adamant that I'm right, and we are having a right old professional scrap about it lol :green:

Thanks guys

I'd be interested to know where she studied and which course she took as i for one thinks she's talking a load of tosh! :lol: We all know what wrecks nails and why they're soft after having 'em off - it's a shame that she feels she knows better than you, after all you're just the nail tech! :lol:

 

[NoLimitNails]

May I add that when removing enhancements you have had for a long time, your nails will feel soft and weird, but not that they are damaged (unless ofcourse you overfiled them)
The reason for this is that they have been protected for a long time, and because of this the keratin is not hardened (correct me if i'm wrong) as it's hardened by the constant use of the fingers (thats why babies have these soft nails I believe)
Other thing is you cannot remember how your natural nails feel, so even with the thinnest enhancements you will find that your nails lack the strenght of the enhancement when you remove it.
And as enhancements only adhere to the top of the nail, they will not thin them down or in any other way affect them, unless overfiling, picking and so on.
So no need to have a breake....

 

[Pink Pink Pink]

Apparently, the reason behind leaving that gap around cuticle area on polish is because the area there is made up of some living tissue and needs oxygen. You do not need a break as you are getting oxygen from that margin.
Now, I just read that somewhere (it was ages ago - sorry, can't remember where).
Could be a load of rubbish but I thought I'd hand over some info. Seems to make sense I suppose xxx

hth

 

[Envy]

ok guys... to CLARIFY...

nails do not under any circumstances need to breathe!
if they did, they would have lungs...

Keratin is dead and oxygen does nothing for them...

They will seem soft after enhancement removal, this is because while being protected from environmental abuse they have actually achieved a high level of moisturisation... Like skin when a band aid has been on it for days on end...

As long as the product is properly sealed, and the product does not degrade then there is no reason to remove it entirely at any stage... I know techs that have worn nails for over 15 years without a break, and their natural nails are as good as nature intended..

Take a read of Doug Schoons book, (natural nail anatomy & product chemistry, edition 2) it will clear a lot of these myths and wive's tales out of the cupboard

 

[VHunter]

Nails don't have lungs, therefore don't need oxygen.
They don't scream that they are drowning when you're washing dishes.....

The gap is so that the product doesn't touch the skin and doesn't lift as a result and so that you can file the product flush to the nail so that there isn't a hump. No other reasons than those, for the gap.

They are soft after removal because they have been protected (assuming you didn't damage over-filing them) by the enhancements. So, since they were protected, they weren't dehydrated by daily exposure to things like: water and cleaning products and air and cold. These will all dehydrate the nail, and so it will 'harden' the nail because there is less moisture (or none) within the cells (there is a chapter in Doug's book about how the cells of the nail plate grow from the matrix and flatten out as they grow and lose moisture). If they have been protected, then they are 'hydrated' and more flexible.

SO they do NOT need a break from quality enhancements applied and maintained in a quality fashion
UNLESS
the enhancements contain MMA and/or have been applied to the nails in a damaging fashion. THEN they need a break to grow out the damage.

Otherwise, you can wear them and keep refilling them till you drop dead.:lol:

hth's

 

[VHunter]

ok guys... to CLARIFY...

nails do not under any circumstances need to breathe!
if they did, they would have lungs...

Keratin is dead and oxygen does nothing for them...

They will seem soft after enhancement removal, this is because while being protected from environmental abuse they have actually achieved a high level of moisturisation... Like skin when a band aid has been on it for days on end...

As long as the product is properly sealed, and the product does not degrade then there is no reason to remove it entirely at any stage... I know techs that have worn nails for over 15 years without a break, and their natural nails are as good as nature intended..

Take a read of Doug Schoons book, (natural nail anatomy & product chemistry, edition 2) it will clear a lot of these myths and wive's tales out of the cupboard

Guess we were typing at the same time ROFL:lol::hug:

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Take a read of Doug Schoons book, (natural nail anatomy & product chemistry, edition 2) it will clear a lot of these myths and wives' tales out of the cupboard

This is the best advice and it's all in black and white by the best authority there is. I still get amazed by nail techs who beleive that product removal should result in natural nail damage - yes it can, as can the application ... but NOT if it's done PROPERLY!

The product does not affect the nail plate. How funny that most clients forget that they had nail extensions in the first place as their nails were too weak to grow. I make a note on my client record of EXACTLY what the state of the nail was BEFORE they went on so that you can refer back to it

If clients want a break then that is their prerogative, but there is no need. If they were to have a break to give a chance for the nails to rest, breathe etc etc then they would have to wait 4 or 5 months for the whole nail to grow out ... otherwise what's the point????

Nail damage is ONLY caused by improper application or removal - NOWT ELSE!!!!

 

[fiona wallace]

This is the best advice and it's all in black and white by the best authority there is. I still get amazed by nail techs who beleive that product removal should result in natural nail damage - yes it can, as can the application ... but NOT if it's done PROPERLY!

The product does not affect the nail plate. How funny that most clients forget that they had nail extensions in the first place as their nails were too weak to grow. I make a note on my client record of EXACTLY what the state of the nail was BEFORE they went on so that you can refer back to it

If clients want a break then that is their prerogative, but there is no need. If they were to have a break to give a chance for the nails to rest, breathe etc etc then they would have to wait 4 or 5 months for the whole nail to grow out ... otherwise what's the point????

Nail damage is ONLY caused by improper application or removal - NOWT ELSE!!!!

Well said Sass....some people forget why they get enhancements on in the first place...then complain when they go back to that again as if it is their tech's fault that their natural nails can't be used to scrape wallpaper LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[weezie]

The gap around the cuticles/eponychium is also left on natural nails to stop the polish from sticking to it and dragging it up with the nail growth! :hug:

 

[fifitrix]

I was going to quote something about this from Doug Schoon's book but there are do many bits that are relevant, I'd be typing all night, all I can say is buy a copy, it is a fantastic book and my bible.

 

[Peter Pan]

I was going to quote something about this from Doug Schoon's book but there are do many bits that are relevant, I'd be typing all night, all I can say is buy a copy, it is a fantastic book and my bible.

you just took the words right out of my mouth fifi -

get the doug shoon book - he states everything you need to know - and i cant lay my hands on him right now - :lol:

another option would be - pm doug and ask him

 

[Blush86]

Thanks guys.

New you'd back me up :green:

Appreciate your replies x

 

[Northern Nails]

Apparently, the reason behind leaving that gap around cuticle area on polish is because the area there is made up of some living tissue and needs oxygen. You do not need a break as you are getting oxygen from that margin.
hth

What is happening here?? It makes me cringe that people...so called trained people are making these statements.

Come on, why is a margin left around the cuticle??

No it's not for oxygen for crying out loud or when wearing gloves your freaking hands would sufficate!!! Oxygen is transported in our blood and this is the only way we use oxygen it is not absorbed through our nails. Surely to god people don't believe this twaddle. Has no one ever heard of over exposure??

THIS IS WHY A MARGIN IS LEFT!!!!!!!!! ahhhh:irked:

 

[Sassy Hassy]

What is happening here?? It makes me cringe that people...so called trained people are making these statements.

Come on, why is a margin left around the cuticle??

No it's not for oxygen for crying out loud or when wearing gloves your freaking hands would sufficate!!! Oxygen is transported in our blood and this is the only way we use oxygen it is not absorbed through our nails. Surely to god people don't believe this twaddle. Has no one ever heard of over exposure??

THIS IS WHY A MARGIN IS LEFT!!!!!!!!! ahhhh:irked:

I agree hun, but unfortunately it's not always the fault of the tech, but of the place where they were taught - after all they are the teacher so they must be right???!!!! But that is what this site is all about - best practice and best theory. I have been astounded at how much I was taught that was total rubbish. It's really very sad.

Also to add that other reasons a margin is left around the cuticle area is - depending on whether it is polish or acrylic application - that it is more aesthetically pleasing; it makes polish much easier to remove (how many time have you tried to get that blood red client-applied polish that is rammed under and around the eponychium; that if the acrylic product touches the skin then there is not an airtight seal and the product will lift ... and so the list goes on!

Yay for the Salon Geek is all I can say!

 

[Northern Nails]

Yeah i agree, and apologise if i offended. sometimes is can get a bee in my bonnet about things.......

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Yeah i agree, and apologise if i offended. sometimes is can get a bee in my bonnet about things.......

No offence taken here - I just see someone who is passionate about their profession that's all. (but it is a very pretty bonnet! :green