Magazine for the professional nail industry.
Issue link: http://nailsmag.epubxp.com/i/128780
What Are You Waiting For? Q: I have a client who has deep Lightning Nail Dry Drops dries polish in 45 seconds Just polish then add a drop of Cal Mangos' Lightning Nail Dry Drops and nails are dry in 45 seconds – GUARANTEED! No need to wait for it. It's lightning fast! Q&A; horizontal ridges in her nails. Her cuticle area is kind of swollen and irritated also. I'm thinking Beau's lines, but I just want to see what an expert has to say. A: This client has a chronic paronychia with resultant nail dystrophy and possibly a habit tic deformity. You are right to have noticed that the cuticle is swollen or boggy. That is because the cuticle barrier has been compromised and when that occurs water can enter the nail unit. Once moisture accumulates, yeast will take up residence because yeast thrives in warm moist environments. The cuticle directly overlies the nail matrix and that is why the nail is growing in abnormally Ñ because the matrix is what grows into the actual nail plate. Therefore any inflammation or trauma in the area of the cuticle is going to potentially result in a damaged nail. Your client's cuticle is being compromised somehow. I would ask her if she pushes back on it with her index finger (habit tic). It is also possible that the cuticle is being removed. I always tell my patients that the cuticle is like the grout in your bathtub. It prevents water from seeping into the cracks. The cuticle is an important and amazing protective structure. Your client should not touch her cuticles and she should see a dermatologist. She will likely need a prescription medication to treat the current issue. The beauty of this diagnosis is that if treated properly, the nail will grow in normally. Ñ Dana Stern, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in nails. She works in private practice in New York City. Q: I have a male client who is diabetic. I know you aren't supposed to clip a diabetic's nails but just fle and buff lightly and rub lotion on his feet instead of massage. But on his feet his two big toenails were thick and hard and dark brown and yellow in some spots. It wasn't slimy looking like a nail fungus but just yellowish and hard. The rest were normal looking. What could it be? Should I refuse to rebook him and recommend he see a podiatrist? A: This is an important question. When in doubt, do not book him and always refer to a medical professional. A dermatologist or podiatrist would be the ideal medical professional to refer to. As a nail technician, you are not expected to know everything and you would be doing your client a big favor by expressing your concern and suggesting that he see a health care professional. Ñ Dana Stern, M.D. Have a health question? (about salon safety and sanitation, nail disorders, science, etc.) E-mail it to Judy.Lessin@bobit.com and check back here for an expert answer. www.Calmango.com 800.656.2646 www.nailsmag.com/fifi/16280