As the hot months have faded away and fall has arrived, clients will be inclined to slow down from the many outdoor activities. Wearing flip-flops, high heels and sandals, along with the overexposure from the sun, clients will have a host of skin issues to address, such as skin that is dry, dehydrated, sun damaged or callused.
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Nail technician Rashida Massie shares her advice for creating an actionable fall wellness routine for your nail salon.
As the hot months have faded away and fall has arrived, clients will be inclined to slow down from the many outdoor activities. Wearing flip-flops, high heels and sandals, along with the overexposure from the sun, clients will have a host of skin issues to address, such as skin that is dry, dehydrated, sun damaged or callused.
So, now is a great time to slow down, reflect and intentionally consider how you will go through your own transformation while providing a transformative experience for your client’s hands and feet, ensuring they are restored and prepped for this coming winter.
But before we get into the eight tips, here are a few reflective questions to consider.
How am I doing in maintaining my hand, foot, and nail care routine?
What new habit or routine would I like to put into practice this fall that will promote optimal health and wellness? Will it be getting to bed earlier, working on a relationship or finances, learning a new skill or hobby, focusing on nutrition or getting more movement into your day?
How am I going to prioritize my wellness routine this fall to ensure that I’m showing up as the best version of myself personally and professionally?
As a nail technician, you are constantly in service to others and may also live a busy life outside of work. It’s good to step back and reflect to see how you are doing in caring for yourself.
Now, on to the client. When carrying out your consultation, you can use the same reflective questions with your client. The answers they share will give you information on how to proceed with the service. Your role as a professional is to educate clients about the products you will be using as well as guide them on how to develop and maintain good habits with their hands, feet and nail care routines. When it comes to wellness, it includes a holistic or whole-person approach that considers all areas of a client’s life that can have a positive or negative effect on the condition of their skin and nails. Here are eight tips for helping your clients create a fall wellness routine.
1. Cleanse
Cold and flu season will be on the rise, prompting us to be more mindful of hand hygiene by sanitizing and washing hands more often. We may be tempted to take longer, hotter baths or showers, but as a preventive measure to retain moisture and avoid overdrying, according to the Mayo Clinic, limit water exposure by keeping bath and shower time to 10 minutes or less, as well as using a gentle cream cleanser, shower gel or allergen-free soap. Thoroughly rinsing and pat drying while leaving the skin damp will aid in the moisturizing application.
2. Exfoliate
As the weather changes, our skin will too. You can help your client appreciate that the exfoliation process will help improve skin by removing dead skin cells while revealing a new layer of skin. Hands and feet tend to be the focus, but some clients could benefit from extra exfoliation on the lower legs and around the knees, as well as the forearm and elbows. By providing this treatment, you can increase the price of the service or market it as an add-on. Offering extra exfoliation, clients will feel more pampered, and at the same time, they will be getting their skin care needs met by instantly seeing and feeling the results. In addition, this could allow you to generate additional revenue by retailing hand, foot or body scrubs. To reduce thick, dry skin and hyperpigmentation on the elbows and knees, you can recommend clients use an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week, making sure to rub in a gentle circular motion.
3. Hydrate and Moisturize
If your client experiences dryness, you may observe their skin being rough, itchy, flaky, scaly or red, such as in the case of eczema or psoriasis. The dryness occurs because the skin lacks natural oils or lipids. On the other hand, clients who experience dehydrated skin will have skin that appears dull or may have signs of premature aging like wrinkles and loss of elasticity. This is because the skin lacks water. With the aid of hydrating ingredients, they are used to attract water to the outermost layer of skin, while moisturizers are used as a skin barrier to seal and lock in moisture. Many skincare products contain both hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.
Lastly, for dry, brittle nails, the use of nail oil throughout the day, followed up by a thick moisturizing cream, will help with flexibility and may prevent breakage. Below are some ingredients to hydrate and moisturize.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hydrating
- Glycerin: Hydrating
- Aloe: Hydrating
- Honey: Hydrating
- Nut or seed oil, such as coconut, almond, or hemp: Moisturizing
- Shea butter: Moisturizing
- Plant oils, such as jojoba and rosehip: Moisturizing
- Lactic acid: Hydrating
- Ceramide: Moisturizing
4. Anti-aging Treatments
Targeted treatments can be added to clients’ routines if their skin is damaged from the sun, aging or sensitive. Treatments may include serums, clay masks or natural pumpkin peels. Also, don’t forget that the best anti-aging practice is sunscreen. Clients need to use an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. The following are ingredients to aid with sun-damaged or aging skin.
- Vitamin C brightens and reduces hyperpigmentation.
- Retinol reduces visible signs of aging
- Rosehip oil and vitamin E may help with premature aging.
- Shea butter, omega 3 and avocado oil hydrate deeply.
- Aloe vera soothes sunburned skin.
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
- Coconut oil contains fatty acids that can add moisture to the skin.
- Honey is a natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hydrating.
- Shea butter for deep moisturizing.
- Aloe vera soothes skin and has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
- Lactic and hyaluronic acid for hydrating the skin.
5. Glove and Sock Up
Along with keeping hands and feet warm, gloves and socks help to maintain the integrity and health of the skin and nails by assisting in product absorption, which prevents dryness and fissures. There are six types of gloves you can recommend clients use based on their lifestyle to ensure their hands are well protected.
- Rubber gloves
- Gardening gloves
- Cotton spa gloves
- Winter gloves
- Food prep gloves
- Latex or nitrile gloves
6. De-stress and Rest
Stress can trigger eczema or psoriasis to flare up and cause nails to become pitted, bitten or become brittle. In your services, you can incorporate a brief grounding session by having your client take a few deep breaths as they enjoy aromatherapy with an essential oil blend. Taking your time and being intentional when giving a foot and leg massage or hand and arm massage will slow down the nervous system and help the client relax.
When performing your consultation, you may learn that your client has a difficult time prioritizing proper rest or is experiencing more stress. Why not brainstorm with your client to seek out ways to include in their wellness routine such as breathing exercises, incorporating a journal practice, self-massage, stretching or some sort of cardio? Of course, your client will ultimately know what’s best for them and will need to consult with a medical professional before starting any exercise program if they are at high risk or have major health concerns.
7. Nutrition and Water
Being a nail technician, your role is not to diagnose or prescribe; however, just as you have continued to educate yourself on how the ingredients used in your services have their benefits, it’s also important to understand how proper nutrition and regular hydration aid in not only feeling good but also contribute to healthier skin, hair and nails. As you are carrying out your service, this topic may come up in conversation, and you can inform the client accordingly without suggesting any dietary regimen.
Eating healthy fats, according to the Mayo Clinic Health System, will help lock in moisture by eating unsaturated fats like olive oil and omega-3, which is found in nuts and seeds such as almonds, chia and flax, as well as plant-based fats like avocado. Also, include protein, foods rich in iron, vitamins A, E and D, in addition to essential vitamins and minerals and carbohydrates based on an individual’s needs. Raw fruits and vegetables with a high-water content are another way to increase daily water intake.
8. Retailing Wellness Products
The Global Wellness Institute’s most recent report as of 2020 estimated that the personal care and beauty sector was valued at $955 billion, while the spa sector was valued at $68 billion. This creates a large door of opportunity for nail salons, spas and independent owners to generate additional revenue while selling useful products that drive results and enhance clients overall wellbeing. Wellness retail product ideas can include the following.
- Candles
- Essential oils
- Targeted skin and nail care products
- Foot rollers or hand massagers
- Toe stretchers, aka Yoga Toes
- Warm, cozy socks
- Cotton spa gloves
- Journals and planners
Putting Into Practice
To encourage follow-through with routine, you can create a form entitled ‘Wellness Routine,’ which could include the three reflective questions you read earlier as well as a brainstorm section for clients to write down additional ideas, such as a schedule and how they will implement practices into their week. Lastly, you can include a section for product recommendations and additional instructions for at-home use.
Once clients have experienced your professionalism, the knowledge you have shared and seen and felt the results of their treatment, they are more likely to purchase products to ensure their hand and foot transformation is well maintained.
To conclude, wellness is a progressive journey that entails action by practicing good habits and sticking with a routine to maintain or promote better health from the inside out.
About the Author:
Rashida Massie has been a licensed nail technician since 2005. She enjoys writing informative and actionable content on health and wellness topics.
