Due to the increase of clients attempting to perform salon services (think gel-polish and acrylic kits) on their nails at home during COVID-19 lockdowns, contact dermatitis is reportedly on the rise in the nail industry.
Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it, according to the Mayo Clinic, and while it is not contagious or life-threatening, there are still precautions that should be taken to prevent it when working with clients.
According to a recent Professional Beauty article, contact allergies happen because of repeated contact with a chemical or substance that is not designed for the skin. The most common sign of the affliction is itchy skin around the nails. Other symptoms include blisters, splitting or peeling skin and potentially nail separation.
In the article, Georgie Smedley, managing director of the Georgie Smedley Group, shares tips to help prevent contact allergies.
- Make sure liquid products are not running down the handle of your brush.
- Decant only the amount of liquid you require.
- Ensure the correct curing equipment is used.
- Avoid touching your face during treatments.
- Always use a metal bin with a lid to dispose of chemicals on towels and use an inner bag.
- Wear gloves even if no allergy is present.
- Use ventilation where possible.
- Clean away any product from the skin using a tool, not your fingernails.
For more information, please visit professionalbeauty.co.uk.
