Micro-organisms that can cause disease known as pathogens must be controlled through cleaning, disinfection or sterilization. Washing your hands prior to services is the "cleaning" physical process which removes soil, dust, dirt and along with a large proportion of micro-organisms from an objects.

A manicure includes shaping and trimming of the nails, as well as pushing back the cuticles. A brief hand and arm massage concludes the service. You can then choose to have your nails polished or buffed.

Manicures can be scheduled as often as you like, but I recommend having one once a week. Depending upon how you use your hands in your daily life, you may want to come in for an Polish Change between regular manicures. Polish Change does include shaping of nails and polishing to perfection.

The correct method for filing a natural nail is to file sides to center. Never see-saw your nails with a file, as the friction can lead to dehydration of the nails and cause the nails to split and break.

The cuticle, the thin piece of skin that overlaps the nail at its base, sometimes adheres to the nail - causing splits or tears in the skin that can turn into hangnails. Keeping the cuticles soft and pushed back may prevent this occurrence. During your manicure, the nail technician will soften the cuticle and gently push it back, trimming only when needed or requested. Hangnails will be trimmed to prevent further tearing

Regular manicures/pedicures can keep the nails in prime condition. Beautifully manicure/pedicure nails can increase self-confidence to exposing your nails in public. A Pedicure is the art of caring for the feet and toenails. It can increase the comfort level of your feet, as well as enhance the way they look. Plus, many people find receiving a pedicure to be exceptionally relaxing.

Nails split and break if they are over weak, thin or too hard and brittle. You can get nail mending services to temporarily seal the crack together till it grows out. Or you can apply cuticle oil around the nails every night before you pop into bed, the ingredients in cuticles oils nourishes nails and promote stronger nails and nail growth. (Do not purchase a cuticle oil containing mineral oil. Look for a cuticle oil containing Jojoba oil).

Remember to wear gloves every time your hands get into contact with harsh detergents/solvents when cleaning, and dish-washing. Hardeners composes of Keratin (Protein) to strengthen porous nails, but do not extend the limit of more than 6 weeks of using it. When nails get too hard, the nails go hard and brittle so the splitting and breaking continues. Follow the manufacturers instructions. Most say to remove after seven days.

Gel and Acrylics are two different types of nail enhancements. Gel is cured under a UV light (some brand gels don't need a light to activate the gel). Gel is more flexible, does not have an odor, more light weight and natural looking. Acrylics consist of a liquid monomer and powder mixed together to harden. Acrylics are more tough, can endure more stress, heavier than gel, has an odor when applying. Some brands produce odorless acrylics. These products usually take up to 48 hrs to fully cure. Gels cure withing 2-3 minutes.

Gel is better for hard brittle nails. Gel is more flexible then Acrylic. Acrylic is best for those who have soft pliable nails. Gels are more popular for people who don't want long nails and just wants the permanent shine to their natural nails. If you don't like the smell of acrylics then gel would be preferable. Also, if you have problems with acrylic lifting all the time then gel would fix the problem. Acrylic and Traditional Hard Gel are more suitable for people that prefers long nails. Acrylic and Traditional Hard Gel can endure more stress for people who are tough on their nails. A soft soak off gel will not provide the strength for people who are tough on their nails. Overall, nail enhancements are great for nail biters!

Gels are cured under a UV light, what happens under the UV light is that the gel cures, shrinks and locks to the natural nail, therefore the chances of lifting are minimized. But if you don't treat your nails like jewels and use them as tools, any nail enhancements will lift eventually.

There are dozens of reasons behind why acrylics lift. Acrylics take up to 48hrs to fully cure, just a accidental bang on the nails within those 48 hrs can immediately cause the acrylics to lift and come off. Other reasons for lifting includes: excessive buffing, no primer used, did not prepare the natural nail well prior to putting the acrylics on, dust left on nails, diseased nail plate, not maintaining regular rebalances (fills), nicotine, using a acetone based nail polish remover, medication, stress, misuse of nails, occupation, picking and biting, excessive use of oils and creams, using products containing mineral oil, petrolatum or lanolin which can cause lifting. Wearing the nail too long can cause lifting.

Don't tap the acrylics, don't pick, don't bite, don't pick up heavy things with your nails, treat them as jewels not tools, use knuckles instead of nails when needed, don't go banging the nails on hard surfaces, wear gloves every time you wash the dishes, clean, do the garden or get in contact with harsh detergents. This applies to both Acrylic or Gel Nail Enhancements.

Nails grow slow for many reasons; a poor diet, disease and health may be some contributing factors. If you are fit and you have a good diet and health, your nails will grow faster. Nail’s also grow slower in winter and faster in summer. Genetic factors to why the nail grow slower.

Nails often take yellowish tint when strong pigmented polish are applied. To prevent yellow pigmentation on the nails, remember to put 1-2 layers of base boat on prior to applying dark color polish on nails. This will help create a barrier between the polish and the nail plate.

Your nail enhancements have been protecting your natural nails against weather, wind, heat, cold and touch, therefore when the acrylics are removed the sensitively of your natural nail has increased. Apply cuticle oil around the nails every night before you climb into bed. (Do not purchase a cuticle oil containing mineral oil. Look for a cuticle oil containing Jojoba oil).

Acrylics shouldn't be damaging to your nails if they do not contain MMA in the acrylics and you soak them off properly with acetone. DO NOT PICK AND RIP THEM OFF! Ripping acrylics off can immediately pull layers of your natural nail with it. That's when people misunderstands and blame the acrylics for causing weakness and dents in nails. Please have your Acrylic or Gel Nail Enhancements removed by a Licensed Nail Technician.

Yes, it’s fine to re-apply acrylics back on as natural nails are made up of keratin (protein) so nails don't breathe. But if you ripped your acrylics off and the natural nail is very thin and sore, then you might want to give it a week or two to heal before adding stress to the sore nails. Meanwhile you could apply nail hardener once a week to strengthen the nails and cuticle oil every night to nourish the cuticles to promote healthy nail growth .

Hangnails are spikes of skin that form on the cuticles alongside the nails due to dryness, biting around the nails, and minor injury. You can prevent hangnails by applying cuticle oil to the cuticles every night, or have paraffin wax treatments or hot oil conditioning treatments.

Paraffin wax is a deep cleansing and toning treatment which stimulates blood circulation and invigorate skin tissue. This treatment can be done alone or incorporated into a manicure or pedicure. Paraffin wax can calm down calluses, cuticles (Hangnails), it can relieve pain in muscles, joints, arthritis. But not everyone is suitable for paraffin wax, People with diabetes, high blood pressure, varicose veins, paralysis, open wounds, infections, heart problems that can be triggered from heat, increased blood flow should avoid doing paraffin wax treatment.

Have a Licensed Nail Tech apply a Full Set of Gel Nails biters are normally perfectionist, so when they see dry skin around the nails, nails that are uneven, nails that are splitting, they will start biting causing the nails to get shorter and shorter in length. Full Set of Nail Enhancements lengthens the nails. When done correctly, the nail enhancements look fabulous and reduce chances of biting and picking. Some people don't even realize they still pick or bite the nails because of stress and nervous habits. Now to prevent that, keep a few bottles of cuticle oil, one in the bedroom, one in the car, one at work, so whenever you start fiddling with your nails, instead of picking, massage in cuticle oil to keep you from picking or biting. Cuticle oil is nourishing and can reduce hangnails and promotes healthy nail growth, therefore you can have better looking nails and break the picking and biting habit.

The problem with lotions, creams and oils that contain mineral oil is that mineral oil acts as a lubricant, this oil does not absorbed into the skin or the fingernails. Mineral oil repels water. Lotions, creams and oils that contain mineral oil can cause lifting of acrylic or gel nails.

To maintain the nail extension or Enhancements in prime condition it’s very important to take care of your nails in the proper way. Here are advices of maintaining nails.