Reassurance needed please - greenie

[SwissSassy]

Hello Geeks,

Today I removed Shellac from one of my clients toenails and found this massive greenie. It is the first time I have ever experienced it (2 years of doing nails) and it was quite a shock.

I applied the Shellac on March 8th, and she noticed the dark mark a week ago.

She has nail separation (result of when she walked down a mountain, damaged the nail years ago, has visited podiatrist etc and has been like that, unchanged for years). She cut the nails with Shellac on a couple of weeks ago, but I have no idea if that could have changed anything? Looking closely at the picture, we saw a bit of a lateral crack in the nail, although nothing serious - could it be that?

I'm looking for a reason as to why it happened, and obviously don't want to ever see this again!

I am meticulous and confident in my methods - use all CND products, CND trained and stick to all protocols, use Scrubfresh every time, all tools/files correctly disinfected sanitised etc.

I buffed it gently with white block, Scrubfreshed, Nailfreshed, Scrubfreshed again and applied Vinylux. She wanted Shellac but I said no and of course told her to watch it, remove the polish in 2 weeks time and check.

Thanks for any suggestions, help or reassurance, obviously feeling really uncomfortable about it :-(
Saskia

 

[x Fee x]

If you applied quite a few weeks ago, and you say there was a crack in the nail, it's likely moisture became trapped in that area and therefore bacteria was able to thrive there.

I've had a client with the same on her fingers after leaving her Shellac on for 12 weeks and gluing back down any lifted bits! 😨

You've taken all the correct steps in application and cleaning after she came back. Shellac would have been fine to apply afterwards, but If she is going to leave a long time between reapplications, your suggestion of Vinylux was better so, as you said, it can be monitored. All there is to do now is let the stain grow out.

 

[SwissSassy]

If you applied quite a few weeks ago, and you say there was a crack in the nail, it's likely moisture became trapped in that area and therefore bacteria was able to thrive there.

Thanks Fee. I really don't know if it was the crack, I'm clutching at straws as I can't understand why it has appeared. I'm so surprised, and not in a good way

Does this mean then that anyone who has less than perfect nails can easily get a greenie? I am now a bit scared.

 

[x Fee x]

Thanks Fee. I really don't know if it was the crack, I'm clutching at straws as I can't understand why it has appeared. I'm so surprised, and not in a good way

Does this mean then that anyone who has less than perfect nails can easily get a greenie? I am now a bit scared.

I wouldn't say so no. I have only ever come across it when the client has been remiss in coming in for maintenance. Bacteria can only be present under a nail coating if it was there to start with- so prep that wasn't thorough- or if the nail coating has lifted and created an environment for the bacteria to thrive.

You're confident in your prep work, but your client did not have her Shellac removed for 6 weeks, so maybe the crack in the nail is clutching at straws, bit that is quite a long time to go without removal and may have contributed to creating the ideal environment for bacteria.

Encourage her to try and stick to a more frequent schedule for her Shellac, or stick with polish, but I wouldn't be too hard on yourself or think that you caused it! x

 

[Debbsxo]

Hi Sass - stop worrying! I know how much of a perfectionist you are with all your treatments and protocols!! Lol: You can see the crack on the pic & we all know how bacteria love warm, dark, damp places to feed & breed!

Maybe in future encourage her to go no longer than say, 4 semaines for her removal? If she doesn't want them redoing, sell her a Remove Tube! Lol

I've read a few similar threads on here & it seems Shellac is ok to use, after care advice given & situation monitored til it grows out.

Having said all that, it's not happened to me & I'd be in exactly the same state!! :Scared: Bon chance xx

 

[SwissSassy]

Thanks ladies (merci Debbs) but I just suddenly feel worried about it ever happening again. My prep is thorough so I can't imagine doing anything different or more thoroughly to avoid it!