Steps
Tips
- Don't clip your cuticles with nail clippers, it's best to push them back.
- Beforehand, if you want to, you can rub some olive or vegetable oil into your cuticles to make them looser and easier to push back. Baby oil also works well and it smells good.
Warnings
- If you do decide to use a nail salon instead of giving yourself a manicure or pedicure at home, here are some of the things you should look for when visiting a nail salon:
- Use only accredited salons and technicians and look for certifications of competency, which should be displayed prominently in the salon.
- The salon should be clean and tidy, with linen and towels changed between clients.
- All chemicals should be in clearly marked containers.
- Metal tools that could penetrate the skin should be sterilized in an autoclave.
- Non-disposable nail implements should be rinsed, scrubbed in tepid water and detergent and dried, or wiped with 70% alcohol between clients.
- Some nail salons keep implements especially set aside for each regular client. You should ask your nail technician to do this for you, if you are a regular client of a nail salon.
- Nail implements need to be clean and dry. Don't let anyone use an implement on you that's been left sitting in water, even if the water contains disinfectant.
- Don't use a foot spa if you've shaved your legs the night before or on the day of the pedicure, of if you have any cuts on your legs, as this makes you more vulnerable to infection.
- If you are having acrylic nails put on, ask your nail artist to explain the procedure, what products they're going to use and how to care for the nails at home.
- Don't be shy to ask questions about the manicure, the chemicals being used and how the implements have been cleaned.