The Secret Recipe Callus Softners What?!

     Callus softeners are potent liquid formulas applied to heavy callus areas to soften them for more effective pedicure filing. So what exactly is in these softeners? Here’s a generic low down of three of the most common active ingredients in callus softeners today. . The softeners are typically left on the callus for about five minutes, though this varies from brand to brand, and care is advised to limit skin exposure to only heavy callus. Techs are advised to wear gloves during applications and to make sure healthy skin does not come into contact with the softeners.  So what exactly is in these softeners that make it so volitile? Here’s a profile of three of the most common active ingredients in callus softeners today.
      Urine! But wait not the kind of pee we are thinking of, read on...Urea is an organic compound that has a super-hydrating effect on skin cells. Its function within callus softeners is to over-moisturize and hydrate the tough, thick callus so that it becomes soft and supple for the pedicure file to have a greater effect at filing it down. It is a naturally occurring chemical that is produced within many organisms. In humans, the liver produces urea as a nitrogen waste carrier in the metabolic process to take waste out of the body in urine. Most industrial urea is synthetic and produced from carbon dioxide and ammonia. (It’s also used in animal feed and fertilizer as a relatively cheap source of nitrogen.)
     Salicylic acid is an organic acid that derives originally from the bark of willow trees. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which has made its source compound, salicin, a model for aspirin. It also has the ability to break down fats and lipids. As of now, it is the only chemical the FDA has approved to be marketed as a callus “remover,” and acts to lift the dead skin cells off of callus for enhanced filing results. (It is also used to treat plantar warts and for exfoliating treatments for acne and psoriasis.)
     Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound that makes for a strong callus softener depending on the amount in the formula. It degrades the protein in the callus cells and works quickly to soften even the toughest of callus in preparation for filing. Cuticle removers often contain a small amount of potassium hydroxide to help clean nail plates. (It is used in many industries including in the production of soap, fertilizer, and biodiesel and can even be used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent on surfaces that can withstand its corrosive properties.)
    Now that you have the low down on callus softners, you will understand why gloves are needed.  I am one of those that sees something and says why the heck do we need gloves?!?  So I feel I should share my ah ha! moment!

Beau's Lines installment 3 Treatment

How To Treat Beau’s LinesDespite the long list of causes, there are a few things you can do to help a client with Beau’s lines, and a few things your client can do to help herself. The first step in preventing this condition from coming back is to refer your client to her doctor. In many cases, she may have a history of the above conditions. As a nail technician, you are not able to diagnose or treat her condition, but her doctor will be able to give her instructions on how to proceed.
After your client has seen her physician and gets the green light for a nail service, you then have a couple of options. Offer her a set of enhancements, especially if she considers the lines unappealing. But do not apply enhancements if the client has yet to see a doctor to evaluate the cause of the Beau’s lines. You can also provide your client with a natural nail manicure and polish the nails with her favorite color. But be careful; the grooves on the nail mean there isn’t as much nail growth, so you don’t want to file the ridges in an attempt to smooth the nail, as this will cause further damage by making the nail very thin and fragile.
Beau’s lines are caused by a variety of conditions. As with every set of nails at your station that seems out-of-the-ordinary, you need to proceed with caution. The good news for you and your client is that these grooves won’t put an end to her nail services—it’s just a bit of a pause on the road to beautiful nails!

Nail Pro's Certificate of Achievement Program

          Besides getting your license for doing nails, I am continueing education kinda person.   I always feel theres nothing I wouldn't wanna learn.  I love google on my IPhone.  I also love Nail Pro Magazine.  It's where I get a lot of my article ideas as well as nail art ideas, so Nail Pro is a must have for me personally.   Nail Pro offers a certificate of achievement through their test yourself quiz.  If you ace it you get an actual certificate of achievement that looks good as well as make you feel good.  The quizzes are liget quizzes and the questions actually do teach you something.  You can go to www.NailPro.com/testyourself  good luck on getting an A ;I love getting my certificate in the mail.  By the way, do not EVER stop learning, you will only limit yourself to what your cappable of.