Acrylic nails - application part 2

| May 6, 2010 |

When preparing the nails for product make sure you pay attention to the sidewalls as well. This is the area to the sides of the nail plate. This is another area that nail preparation is sometimes overlooked, causing lifting. Many techs use a small diamond drill bit to remove the cuticle and clean up the nail bed. This also will etch the surface of the nail bed, so be very careful if you choose this method.

Whichever method you choose, drill bit or filing, once finished make sure you remove the dust and debris. Use either a nail or toothbrush that can be sanitized to do this. You need the sturdiness of a brush that will get the debris off without having to use your fingers. Also, never blow away the dust as you may inadvertently blow saliva onto the nail plate.

Use a lint free nail wipe to get all the oil and moisture off the nail bed. You can use a nail prep solution or a pure polish remover. Wet the lint free nail wipe and wipe the nail plate well, being sure not to miss any of it especially the areas surrounding the cuticle.

Depending on the product you have chosen, you may or may not need to apply a primer at this point. If you need to apply the primer, do so sparingly. Make sure you only apply it to the natural nail and avoid contact with any of the surrounding skin.

I always recommend that you prep one hand at a time, then apply the product on to that hand. Once you’ve finished, prep the other hand and apply product to that hand. This way your client won’t run as much of a risk of contaminating the nail bed and ruining all the work you’ve just done. If you prep one hand and don’t apply the product, while you are prepping the other hand your client may touch something or run her fingers through her hair, or whatever. There are many ways to easily contaminate the nail plate once it’s prepped.