hiya cathy
toughen up is used to toughen up the natural nail plate as previously mentioned.
when the nail is sufficiently "toughened up"!, then the normal procedure would b to move onto sticky, which is a fabulous base coat that clings onto the enamel that u choose to apply.
the ability of sticky to keep the enamel & top coat on is beneficial as most nails become weakened in the 1st place because they loose the treatment & enemel from the ends of their nails. the worst thing that u can do to your nails is leave them completely bare.
this leaves them at the mercy of detergents, hot water, etc.
what do u think your hair would look like if you never conditioned it?
or your skin if u never used moisturiser or worst still sun screen?
if however the clients nails started to show signs of weakness again further down the line, then return to toughen up.
prescribe the relevant treatment each time the client comes in.
liza xx