Salons lacking client consultations and aftercare

[andrea27]

frustratingly, on the flip side, as someone who is looking for work in a salon, I have been to trade tests where people look at me as if i've grown two heads when I ask if they would like me to demonstrate a consultation form/aftercare.

I guess because the salon has supplied a model they know that the person is not contraindicated but all the same, i get the impression that a lot of people want to skip this part of a treatment because they don't see it as a money maker maybe (ridiculous but i think there might be something in it).

the more jobs i apply for, the more i wish i had it in me to make a profitable go of being self employed

Some salons think it's a waste of time doing a proper consultation, as it just makes the treatment time longer.And as we know time is money. Most salons I have been to never done any form of consultation on me.
Where I work we do have consultation cards, but only really basic questions. Even then most client just seem to answer "No" to everything and only when I start/or during the treatment I notice or find out a contra-indication.
Can I ask what would you do if you started a manicure and discovered a wart on client's finger? She never said anything about it but I really didn't feel like doing her manicure anymore?

 

[Mich77]

Some salons think it's a waste of time doing a proper consultation, as it just makes the treatment time longer.And as we know time is money. Most salons I have been to never done any form of consultation on me.
Where I work we do have consultation cards, but only really basic questions. Even then most client just seem to answer "No" to everything and only when I start/or during the treatment I notice or find out a contra-indication.
Can I ask what would you do if you started a manicure and discovered a wart on client's finger? She never said anything about it but I really didn't feel like doing her manicure anymore?

Hiya,

If a client filled out all no's on a card, but I then discovered a wart when I started the treatment, I would stop the treatment immediately.
I would then advise the client that the wart was a contra indication because they can be contagious, and advise that they seek medical treatment from their doctor, and that I would be happy to do their treatment when they've got it sorted....in a very polite, friendly manner of course!
Unfortunately, some clients don't disclose important information during consultations, but the way I see it, if they have signed the card after giving false information, if they then have a problem, or I have to stop the treatment for any reason, then they only have themselves to blame, and at least my arse is covered if anything was to happen!
HTH's

 

[Auds]

This is a very interesting thread especially as I'm just starting out and I am currently trying to put together a consultation form. Would anyone be willing to pm me a copy of their form, I'd be really grateful for your help. Thanks.

 

[geeg]

Some salons think it's a waste of time doing a proper consultation, as it just makes the treatment time longer.And as we know time is money. Most salons I have been to never done any form of consultation on me.
Where I work we do have consultation cards, but only really basic questions. Even then most client just seem to answer "No" to everything and only when I start/or during the treatment I notice or find out a contra-indication.
Can I ask what would you do if you started a manicure and discovered a wart on client's finger? She never said anything about it but I really didn't feel like doing her manicure anymore?

LAME excuse!! Time is money! We allow extra time for a CC on a first appointment anyway and as important as the initial CC is the ONGOING record of every single appointment they attend is just as important (more so to me).

When are people going to get it?? We are part of a profession .. not a trade, not a hobby, not a game, not a nice little side-line!

When are people going to get serious about what we do? No one will take us seriously until we start taking ourselves and our responsibility seriously! Many of us do and always have .. the successful ones. Many don't and I consider them to be nothing more than 'messers'. Too darned many of them about.

So many of the 'messers' have the gall/cheek to talk about the so called Chinese salons and nail bars like they are dirt and so far inferior to the likes of us!! JOKE. Those who are the 'messers' (and they know who they are) are every bit as bad as they make these discount salons out to be; maybe in different ways but just as bad if not worse IMHO for not doing things right and not acting like the professionals they pretend to be and tell others they are.

 

[VHunter]

The more serious import is, that it is a legal responsibility to have a record of client care that could be an absolute necessity in the case of a dispute.

I've been taking a lot of flak with regards this consult form business that I've recently instated. Formerly, all I had was an index card with minimal info.
Now I've got a 2pg recto-verso form with the works, INCLUDING a media release for all my pictures.
I crossed my T's and dotted my I's.
I'm glad for it too!
A) I have a horrendous memory, so it is a great help to me
B) It affords me and the client protection
C) It clearly shows to the clients that I AM different than the local NSS etc, and establishes that I DO have standards and that I DO care about them and that they are NOT a number to me.

I'm already appreciating the value of these forms.

LAME excuse!! Time is money! We allow extra time for a CC on a first appointment anyway and as important as the initial CC is the ONGOING record of every single appointment they attend is just as important (more so to me).

When are people going to get it?? We are part of a profession .. not a trade, not a hobby, not a game, not a nice little side-line!

When are people going to get serious about what we do? No one will take us seriously until we start taking ourselves and our responsibility seriously! Many of us do and always have .. the successful ones. Many don't and I consider them to be nothing more than 'messers'. Too darned many of them about.

So many of the 'messers' have the gall/cheek to talk about the so called Chinese salons and nail bars like they are dirt and so far inferior to the likes of us!! JOKE. Those who are the 'messers' (and they know who they are) are every bit as bad as they make these discount salons out to be; maybe in different ways but just as bad if not worse IMHO for not doing things right and not acting like the professionals they pretend to be and tell others they are.

DITTO DITTO DITTO!
and
DITTO on the last part especially!

 

[tifa]

LAME excuse!! Time is money! We allow extra time for a CC on a first appointment anyway and as important as the initial CC is the ONGOING record of every single appointment they attend is just as important (more so to me).

When are people going to get it?? We are part of a profession .. not a trade, not a hobby, not a game, not a nice little side-line!

When are people going to get serious about what we do? No one will take us seriously until we start taking ourselves and our responsibility seriously! Many of us do and always have .. the successful ones. Many don't and I consider them to be nothing more than 'messers'. Too darned many of them about.

So many of the 'messers' have the gall/cheek to talk about the so called Chinese salons and nail bars like they are dirt and so far inferior to the likes of us!! JOKE. Those who are the 'messers' (and they know who they are) are every bit as bad as they make these discount salons out to be; maybe in different ways but just as bad if not worse IMHO for not doing things right and not acting like the professionals they pretend to be and tell others they are.

I totally agree with all of the above.

My problem with 2 new clients i have at the moment (and its not the first time this has happened), is that they have not been educated as it were into what treatment they are having done.

These 2 new clients i have, come to me from somewhere else. They were not given any client record cards to fill out And both were told ' oh we dont bother with them,takes too much time' !!! OMG!!

Not only this, they were not given any oil to apply,or option to purchase any, and were told to come back in 10 weeks for infills!!
I nearly fell off my chair when after asking how often are you putting your oil on? and got a reply of ' what oil? ' And the only time oil is put on is when infils are done every 10 weeks !!

I explained why regular infils were so important and the application of oil, and aftercare ( i always give out aftercare leaflet as well as explaining everything ) and they knew nothing of this!
They looked at me as if i was making it up or something! Sometimes i wonder why i bother and why im still in this profession!

I have managed to sort both clients out now.

I think this is un acceptable practice. Its no wonder some clients dont treat,think or believe that we are in a professional job!

Aftercare is SO important and client record cards are needed for a reason,the law requires it and for good reason too!

Both should be carried out with NO excuses!

Sorry for having a bit of a rant everyone !:o

 

[MHarding]

My previous job was a manager in Child Protection and l brought in a spcialist Lawyer in record keeping to do some training. What she said would make your hair curl:Scared:

If it's written down you can prove what was discussed when written infront of the client and signed by both the client and therapist.

The importance of good initial consultation and a record of all treatments is part of the care we give to maintain the health of nails, skin, hair of our clients alongside education on aftercare.

Good records cost nothing but can protect you in the end.:lol:

 

[Pinkbunny28]

Not only this, they were not given any oil to apply,or option to purchase any, and were told to come back in 10 weeks for infills!!

I'm assuming this was so the nails had grown out and only have to be picked off a bit? I just cannot see the logic behind telling a client this?! It loses money and you look like a complete idiot that doesn't know anything about enhancements except how to apply it. And the oiling - well that's not actually surprising sadly x

 

[tifa]

I'm assuming this was so the nails had grown out and only have to be picked off a bit? I just cannot see the logic behind telling a client this?! It loses money and you look like a complete idiot that doesn't know anything about enhancements except how to apply it. And the oiling - well that's not actually surprising sadly x

They were virtually falling off, god knows how they were still on! ,lifting ( not surprising either! ) like ive never seen! There was alot still on there really albeit more than half way down the nail. And what there was , was just so thick the tips didnt fit correctly either. Picked off ?! One of the clients had tried to pick and bite them off so i had a real mess to sort out! I cant belelive the only time they had oil applied was 10 weeks! I explained it should really be twice a day EVERYDAY!

It makes me mad,there is no need for this kind of apalling service. I really did feel for the two clients. I always explain what i am doing during a treatment. I have never, and never would perform a treatment without an client card filled in and the correct advice given. Unfortunatley,on the other hand, there is just no telling some clients!
You could give the advice till you are blue in the face and some still dont listen and think you dont know what your talking about! I have stopped doing a friend because of this reason !:lol:

 

[Auds]

Just wanted to say I've just been for a shellac manicure and couldn't believe my eyes. I'm taking part in a xmas craft event and wanted my nails to be perfect (i'm not so good with my left hand) so I decided to choose a reasonable salon. As has been pointed out here, no consultation at all, showed me the colours to choose from, didn't wash/steralise her hands or my hands, towel was stained, buffed my nails using a file picked from a mundo jar containing nothing but used files. Did a reasonably good job but didn't tell me anything about the solar oil and didn't tell me how to remove it or try to book me in for removal and ofcourse no aftercare advice whatsoever, just a cheery goodbye. I'm really glad now that I've been gaining loads of information and learned so much from salon geek as I initially felt it would be better to try to get some experience from a salon before I set up on my own but I'm so glad I didn't. I may not have the experience yet but I certainly will have a clean studio and be able to offer a far superior service than I had today!

 

[Feevis]

I have never offered instructions for removal of enhancements ... THAT is a professional only job in my opinion.

I actually think it is irresponsible to give clients removal instructions for L&P. They never do it correctly and can cause just as much damage through impatience and really no knowledge of what they are doing. Not a good idea.

To be honest giving clients instructions of how to remove correctly has been my holy grail, I no longer have my regular clients coming back to me with poor nails due to incorrect removal. My leaflet explains the importance of correct removal, the dangers of not removing correctly and also advertises my removal services. I also discuss it during my aftercare advise aswell and use the leaflet as my guide so that my clients can ask any questions. Pure acetone can be purchased in my local Boots stores and Sallys so clients tend to do a DIY job anyway, Id rather they at least attempted to do it correctly and was made aware of rhe importance.

Personally I dont think its unprofessional to give out removal instructions due to the fact people tend to do it themselves anyway but thats just my opinion on it. I try to think of my clients from my point of view when I was a client and never knew the industry. I was a regular client and never booked a removal appointment, I used google to find out and did it myself lol but now Im a nail tech, I feel its my duty to provide people with the relevant information on the importance of remival and aftercare.

 

[Feevis]

Some salons think it's a waste of time doing a proper consultation, as it just makes the treatment time longer.And as we know time is money. Most salons I have been to never done any form of consultation on me.
Where I work we do have consultation cards, but only really basic questions. Even then most client just seem to answer "No" to everything and only when I start/or during the treatment I notice or find out a contra-indication.
Can I ask what would you do if you started a manicure and discovered a wart on client's finger? She never said anything about it but I really didn't feel like doing her manicure anymore?

I was taught to thoroughly inspect the hands during consultation as the client may not disclose information as you have came across. I get my client to wash their hands before they sit down in the chair, I then wash mine, I go through my consultation card and when it cones to skin/nail condition and contra indications questions I thoroughly inspect the hands at this point so that I have no nasty surprises when I start my treatment. I get client to sign and date etc then I sanitise with cotton pads and surgical spirit, I just do another double check whilst sweeping the hands etc just incase. Maybe try checking for contra indications during consultation, I guess it depends how you have been taught

 

[geeg]

To be honest giving clients instructions of how to remove correctly has been my holy grail, I no longer have my regular clients coming back to me with poor nails due to incorrect removal. My leaflet explains the importance of correct removal, the dangers of not removing correctly and also advertises my removal services. I also discuss it during my aftercare advise aswell and use the leaflet as my guide so that my clients can ask any questions. Pure acetone can be purchased in my local Boots stores and Sallys so clients tend to do a DIY job anyway, Id rather they at least attempted to do it correctly and was made aware of rhe importance.

Personally I dont think its unprofessional to give out removal instructions due to the fact people tend to do it themselves anyway but thats just my opinion on it. I try to think of my clients from my point of view when I was a client and never knew the industry. I was a regular client and never booked a removal appointment, I used google to find out and did it myself lol but now Im a nail tech, I feel its my duty to provide people with the relevant information on the importance of remival and aftercare.

I think I do better than that. My full set prices always include the removal so clients have already paid for it when they need it. There are very few who don't take advantage having already paid for it plus they then respect removal as the professional service it should be.

 

[Feevis]

I think I do better than that. My full set prices always include the removal so clients have already paid for it when they need it. There are very few who don't take advantage having already paid for it plus they then respect removal as the professional service it should be.

I think including the removal in price is a good idea and I agree that removal should be professional, however , knowing my clients most of them already remove the nails themselves anyway before they became my clients so I adapted what I offer to incorporate this as I personally would rather they knew the importance and correct removal if there doing it themselves anywat. What does alarm me though is the fact that nail items like acetone and acrylic etc are readily available to buy from places like sallys, boots, asda, tesco, argos allowing them to do DIY jobs in the first place.

Obviously it would be better that my clients had the nails removed professionally but the majority of my clients do not see the need for paying extra no matter how much I try to explain so instead I try to guide them in the right direction and really emphasise importance.

Id hatw to think my clients were pulling them off because they didnt know how to remove them and refuse to see the need for removal appointment. Granted this is not all my clients but it really is a vast majority of them

 

[VHunter]

I wholeheartedly agree that removal should be done by a professional only. I do not dispute that.


However, in my lil blue collar town that is rampant with NSS, I've chosen to advise those that flat out refuse to get it done.
Most that have sat at my table will still come to me to have it done.

But a small group won't.
Often it's a younger woman (17-25) who can't afford nails on a regular basis but will get them done for a special occasion. So even if I offerred free removal with a new set, since they can't afford the new set....
With all the NSS 'ripping/prying' nails off in this town, most think that's the way to do it.
In fact, one time a friend called me. Her daughter, for reasons unknown to her, went to an NSS with a friend and got a set. She later banged one against a brick wall whilst playing ball and it flipped up, separating from the nail bed clear to the lunula. When her mother called me, I could hear the girl sobbing in the background, in pain and wanting them all off. Her friend was advising her to RIP the others off. She brought her daughter to me that night and I took care of her. Since then, she's been advising her friends NOT to do it.

BUT there are many that still do.
So, I chose to inform them how, WHILST still stating that I don't advocate it. Lesser of two evils and all that.

What many are finding - which works in my favour and results in other referrals - is that when they are properly removed after having been done by me, there's no damage. There are no gouges,no layers of nail plate missing, no red rings etc. Whereas when they try to remove them done elswhere, they see damage.
So, they go around saying "look, I took OCV's nails off and my nails are fine!"
I'd rather they did not rip them off and say "oh look at the damage acrylic did to my nails" because they don't know any better, or were too cheap or broke to set an appointment.
Heck, they probably think "well, all the other salons just rip them off".

NO, I do not advocate unprofessional removal by a consumer. NOT AT ALL.
BUT if they're determined to do it, then I'd rather they did it as 'right' as possible.

:hug: