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Q: HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY ARTIFICIAL NAIL ENHANCEMENTS?

A: Taking charge of your nail enhancements, once you leave the salon, should be high on your priority list. In order to maintain your nail enhancements for the long term, follow these simple guidelines: - using high quality cuticle oil, oil the nails at least one time per day. The best time to do this is at night, right before you crawl into bed for the night. If you have time after your shower, oil them again. Ideally, twice per day will give you the optimal result, but at least once per day. Non-use of a cuticle oil may cause product to become brittle, which may cause cracking and/or breakage of your nail enhancements. -If your nails become too long before your next appointment with your nail technician/manicurist, simply shorten your nails by using a 240-grit file. NEVER use nail clippers, as they may cause "shattering" of your nail enhancements. -If you have concerns or questions about your enhancements, please contact your nail technician/manicurist, as we always enjoy hearing from you, no matter what the occasion. And remember, no question is a dumb question! It is better to ask now than wait until your next appointment.

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Q: WHAT IS A "PINK & WHITE" OR "FRENCH" SET OF NAIL ENHANCEMENTS?

A: A "pink & white" or "French" set of nail enhancements is the application of a pink nail product on the nail bed portion of the nail, and the application of white acrylic on the "free edge" or "extension" portion of the nail. Thereby creating the look of a "pink & white" or "French" look to the enhancement.

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Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A FILL?

A: How often you visit your manicurist is a personal decision. However, I recommend that you get a "fill" (also referred to as a "rebase") every two to three weeks. The longer you go between fills, the more apt you are to experience lifting and/or breakage, which in turn can result in a nail mold.

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Q: CAN I TAN WITH NAIL ENHANCEMENTS?

A: Tanning with nail enhancements should not cause discoloration of the nail product, as long as your nail technician/manicurist is using a high quality nail product and applying a "UV" protectant top coat. However, if your nail should become discolored or "yellow" after tanning (some tanning lotions may cause yellowing), simply remove the top coat off of your nails. Using a buffer recommended by your nail technician/manicurist, "buff" the nail until the yellowing disappears. Re-polish the nails using a top coat recommended by your nail technician/manicurist.

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Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR NAIL BREAKAGE AND/OR LIFTING?

A: The most common reasons for nail lifting or nail breakage is treating your nails as "tools" instead of "jewels". I am not saying that you must change your lifestyle from being "yourself" to being a woman of "no hands used". What I am saying is this: don't use your nails as a screwdriver, soda can opener, box opener, letter opener or as "pliers" to hold a nail in place while you hammer away. Biting, traveling, moving and bitter cold are the four most common culprits of nail breakage or lifting. Next comes gardening, cleaning, and washing dishes. Without proper gloves for each, nail breakage and lifting can occur. Stress is also a huge culprit! Whether we realize we are doing it or not, stress causes us to put our nails in our mouth and pick and pull off our beautiful enhancements. You pay for your enhancements! Treat them with the same respect you would treat a new ring or bracelet. Be yourself, but use the proper protection to keep your nail enhancements beautiful. As for bitter cold - wearing protective gloves and using a good quality cuticle oil regularly (every night before bed time), will keep your nail enhancements pliable. Plus you receive the benefits of cuticle softening and nail enhancement beautification. **Special hint: Skiers, snowboarders, snow mobilers and cold weather sports enthusiasts: Before venturing out to your favorite winter sport, grab a bar of Ivory soap, scrape your nails on the bar of soap, filling up the underside of your nails. Throw the bar of soap in your coat pocket, put on your gloves and go play! When you are finished, simply remove your gloves; wash your hands (the bar soap will rinse out from behind your nails) and relish in your memories of the day. This method is not a guarantee that you will not have any nail breakage, but does reduce the chances of such!

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Q: DO ARTIFICIAL NAILS HURT?

A: Nail Enhancement application SHOULD NOT hurt. If your manicurist is using a nail drill or filing with a nail file, and files to deep into your nail bed, it is possible to experience pain and discomfort. It is important to select a manicurist who is experienced so that this does not happen to you.

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Q: DO ARTIFICIAL NAILS CAUSE MOLD?

A: This is a highly misunderstood subject. Acrylic nails DO NOT cause nail fungi. However, some clients who wear nail enhancements do get a more common disorder commonly known as nail mold. Mold occurs when the nails are not maintained on a regular basis (every 2-3 weeks), or when the artificial nails are applied improperly. If proper maintenance is not a priority, the acrylic product begins to lose its’ hold on the natural nail, thereby allowing water to seep in between the product and the natural nail. The heat of the body in conjunction with the water allow mold to grow between enhancement and natural nail. Nail mold is usually green, and though it is unsightly, it does NOT cause permanent damage to the nail, as long as the nail does not go undetected by your manicurist.

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Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOLD AND FUNGUS?

A: Nail fungus is often mistaken as nail mold. And nail fungus is very rare. Fungus is caused by a systematic problem within your body. Nail enhancements DO NOT cause the fungus. If your manicurist is not alert to the early signs of a fungus, and your nail(s) is allowed to go undetected for a period of time, it can continue to grow between the natural nail and the enhancement. Fungus can result in permanent damage to the nail. Once nail fungus is detected, removal of the artificial nail and treatment with an anti-fungal product is imperative. The fungus itself must be treated by a physician. Nail fungus is very rare, and in my experience as a manicurist, I have only known one woman to encounter a fungus. After treatment by her physician, we reapplied the enhancements with no re-occurrence of the fungus.