There’s something about slipping freshly pedicured feet into your favourite heels when heading out for a special night. Great, right? But what happens when you go back to back with your Shellac?
The use of nail varnish, gel or shellac are the usual finale to a pedicure. These days Shellac seems to be the winner with pedi regulars due to the perfect finish that doesn’t chip, fade and lasts around 2 weeks. It is similar to gel polish in that it is UV cured however Shellac is marketed as being the better choice for nail health. Back to back shellac does come with some risks to nail heath though. The Well-Heeled have complied a list of important facts to reduce your risk of nail damage or worse still, disease!
- Choose a great salon with experienced technicians
It is crucial you choose a salon that uses sterile tools and has experienced nail technicians. Excessive filing or grinding of the nail weakens the nail causing splits and lytic (lifted) sections which are painful and potentially contribute to infection. So have fun with your pedis but make sure your technician knows what they are doing!
- Keep an eye out for fungal infections!
Regular pedicures are fantastic but there are a few things that you should consider when choosing your nail salon. It’s important to choose a salon that autoclaves (steam sterilises) their instruments. Fungal spores are incredibly hardy and are only killed with autoclaves. Chemical sterilisers do not kill fungus! Also, the foot spa is a lovely environment to breed lots of bugs and it is impossible to properly sterilise these. Just saying!
You also need to be aware that if your shellac has lifted and it’s not removed, moisture gets into the nail and this is this perfect environment for fungus to thrive. Try not to be tempted to peel the shellac off as this removes layers of nail. Have your nail technician remove it properly.
- Be wary of removing all of the cuticle
I know it looks great to have neat cuticles but, they are there for a reason! By aggressively pushing back the cuticle and elevating the base of the nail it allows an open entry for bugs of all types. There’s nothing sexy about pus in your toes! A great nail technician will gently push back the cuticle and trim dried skin without breaching the seal so to speak.
- Allow your nails to breath and dry out from time to time
I know it’s great to have painted toes all of time however back to back shellac does damage the nail. It’s impossible for the nail to breath and dry out when constantly painted. This leads to the nail becoming soggy and white. We regularly have clients consult us in a panic thinking that they have a fungal infection, however it’s just that the nail has become soggy. These nails commonly show white flecks and lifted areas. Winter is the perfect time to rest those nails-maybe test drive some of the latest season boots!
- Ask if your salon has a LED lamp instead of UV
Regular exposure to UV light increases your risk of skin cancer and ages your skin. If you have regular pedicures then it’s worth asking the salon to use a LED lamp instead. If not, then try to remember to apply sunscreen beforehand. Be prepared ladies. Age spots or skin cancer of your feet is not something you want!
Until next time,
E&E x
(Images – Viva Luxury, Pinterest)
