2. Soak : Soak the cotton balls in the acetone solution, place them on each nail, and wrap the foil square around the finger. Let the cotton ball remain on the nail for about 20 minutes depending on the concentration of the acetone. Do one hand at a time. Note: Some procedures skip the cotton and foil all together and soak directly in a bowl with acetone. This adds an additional step of applying petroleum jelly or cuticle oil on the cuticle and around the nail to limit the drying effects of the acetone on the skin (Nails Magazine, 2002c). Other options involve placing the acetone solution in a small plastic bag and soaking the nails in the bag which is then placed in a bowl of warm water. 3. Scrape : Gently scrape the gel nail off with the orange stick. It should fall right off. If it is still difficult to remove, repeat step two and soak longer. Note: If using foil, do not unwrap it; instead, pull it straight off the tip of the finger so it stays in the shape of the finger and can go on quickly if you require more soaking time. To avoid damage to the nail, do not file, pull or peel any remaining layers or adhesive. Instead, continue soaking in the acetone solution and checking frequently.
4. Finish : When the color powder is removed, there may be some residue from the prep coat. Wash the hands thoroughly, then smooth the nail carefully with the buffer. Shape the nails and rewash the hands. It may be advisable to let the nails rest, giving them a break before re-applying additional enhancements. An article in Nails Magazine (2002) suggests: After removal of any type of nail enhancement, the nail plates will retain the higher-moisture levels and then gradually dry out. The high-moisture levels in the nails make them more flexible. This increased flexibility is often mistaken for thinning, weakness or other damage. After 24 hours, they will lose the extra moisture and flexibility, returning to their drier and more rigid state. Because the nails tend to be softer after removal, recommend using a good cuticle oil and nail strengthener. In the same article, SaVerne Smith, a salon owner in Inglewood, California, recommends advising clients to keep their nails short until you feel they’re strong enough to grow longer. Have your client commit to six weeks of regular manicures. ● Working in a nail salon exposes workers to many different chemicals each day. These exposures can add up, especially when many products are used at the same time, the products are used day after day, or when there is poor ventilation in the salon. When this happens, employees can get sick. Many nail salon workers also put in long hours, which adds to the amount of time they may be exposed to chemicals. These types of exposures can make them sick immediately or cause negative effects over time. ● Chemical exposures can be controlled. The following information will help you find out what chemicals are in your salon’s products and what steps you can take to reduce exposure and protect employee health. You can find more specific information about the chemicals in your workplace from the safety data sheets (SDS) that manufacturers are required to provide for potentially hazardous salon products. concentrating. Exposure while pregnant may affect the child. ● Formaldehyde (nail polish, nail hardener): Difficulty breathing, including coughing, asthma-like attacks, and wheezing; allergic reactions; and irritated eyes, skin and throat. Formaldehyde can cause cancer. ● Isopropyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): Sleepiness and irritated eyes, nose and throat. ● Methacrylic acid (nail primer): Skin burns and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth and throat. At higher concentrations, this chemical can cause difficulty breathing. ● Methyl methacrylate (MMA) (artificial nail products, though banned for use in many states): Asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose and mouth; difficulty concentrating; and loss of smell. ● Quaternary ammonium compounds (disinfectants): Irritated skin and nose, and may cause asthma. ● Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): Dry or cracked skin; headaches, dizziness and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat and lungs; liver and kidney damage; and harm to unborn children during pregnancy.
OSHA 2017 GUIDELINES
Exposure to chemicals in the nail care industry is impossible to avoid. Clients and technicians should be aware of the ingredients being applied and of any allergies, sensitivities or health conditions they may have that could be affected by nail products. OSHA not only provides details on the chemicals but offers suggestions to provide a safe atmosphere for workers and clients as follows: ● Products used in nail salons may contain chemicals that can affect employee health. Using these products can expose nail salon workers to chemicals. Workers may breathe in the harmful vapors, dusts, or mists; get the product on their skin or in their eyes; or swallow the product if it is accidentally transferred onto food or cigarettes.
Hazardous chemicals found in nail salon products (OSHA, 2017) Products used in nail salons can contain many chemicals that can have serious health effects.
Some potentially hazardous chemicals, the types of products they can be found in, and how they can affect an employee include: ● Acetone (nail polish remover): Headaches; dizziness; and irritated eyes, skin and throat. ● Acetonitrile (fingernail glue remover): Irritated nose and throat; breathing problems; nausea; vomiting; weakness; and exhaustion. ● Butyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): Headaches and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth and throat. ● Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (nail polish): Nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth and throat. Long-term exposures to high concentrations may cause other serious effects. ● Ethyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover, fingernail glue): Irritated eyes, stomach, skin, nose, mouth and throat. High levels can cause fainting. ● Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) (artificial nail liquid): Asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; and difficulty
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Book Code: NTNC0826
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