CLOSE CALL | Pocketmags.com

COPIED
4 mins

CLOSE CALL

With contact allergies a growing concern, Amanda Pauley caught up with tech Georgie Smedley to find out how to prevent them from occurring and get her top for working safely

Contact dermatitis is becoming more prevalent in the nail industry, which is why knowing how to prevent an allergic reaction from happening is now of the utmost importance. Although contact allergies can occur on nail techs and clients as a result of not following correct protocols when carrying out a treatment, there’s another reason why symptoms are on the rise – Covid-19.

“One of the reasons there have been so many allergies going around is due to the coronavirus lockdowns. Consumers have been buying gel-polish and acrylic kits off the internet and blaming these products for creating allergies, but the issue has occurred because they don’t know how to use the systems, or even understand the risks of using them when not trained,” explains Georgie Smedley, managing director of the Georgie Smedley Group.

What are the most common signs of a contact allergy?

Contact allergies happen as a result of making repeated contact with a chemical or substance that’s not designed for the skin. “Unfortunately, if you’re presented with a contact allergy then it means your body has become overexposed and that’s something that can’t be undone. Once you’re allergic, you will always be allergic,” explains Smedley.

Itchy skin around the nails is the most common sign, “and this could be under the free edge, around the cuticle or somewhere on the body that’s completely unrelated to the nails,” says Smedley. “It can even cause blisters under the nails and/or cause the skin to split and peel.

Eventually, this could even lead to nail separation.” However, a reaction doesn’t necessarily have to be on the skin, with difficulty breathing and headaches other well-known side effects.

Smedley stresses that it’s not your fault if your client becomes allergic to something, as long as you’ve been extremely careful in treatment and explained from the start that a contact allergy could occur.

“Tell your client that they can have a reaction to a nail product immediately or over time, and that you will do X, Y and Z to keep them safe, but stress that they need to inform you if they have any signs of an allergy,” she says. “However, it is your fault if you’re not working to your health and safety protocols.”



How do chemicals from nail products get into the body?

Smedley explains that there are three routes of entry into the body techs need to be aware of – inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. “Think about what’s in the air that you can inhale. For example, the dust that occurs when you’re filing a client’s nails or the vapours from a liquid-andpowder system that evaporate into the air,” says Smedley.

“Vapours are liquids that are volatile, and if something is volatile then it means it evaporates very quickly. The heavier particles will settle on your desk while the lighter particles that you can’t see will get into your nose.”

The solution is to invest in proper ventilation – installed beneath nose level – so the system pulls the dust away from your face. “It is also worth contacting your health and safety officer as they can tell you the allowed amount of vapour you can have in your business per square foot.

They calculate how big your area is, how many windows you should have open, if you need to buy a ventilation system, and so on,” she says.

Ingestion is another route to be aware of as something as simple as not washing your hands properly after treatment and then eating lunch can lead to an issue.

But, the most common way chemicals enter the body is via skin absorption.

“I’ve watched so many tutorial videos where the nails have been painted beautifully but the tech accidentally gets a little bit of gel-polish on the client’s skin. Not only has that polish gone onto the skin but the tech has then used her thumbnail to wipe it off,” says Smedley. “We’re all temped to do it – we get into bad habits – but this is why you need to review your working habits regularly to make sure you’re staying on top of things.”

What can I do to prevent contact allergies?

Good housekeeping and correct disposal of products will prevent contact allergies from occurring. This ranges from keeping lids on products and throwing away desk towels that you are wiping your brushes on, to controlled product application and “cleaning your desk surface between every stage of the nail treatment, not just between each clients,” adds Smedley.



Smedley says you need to follow the below checklist to work safely: 

• Make sure liquid products aren’t 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 skin using a tool, not your fingernails.



Georgie Smedley is managing director of the Georgie Smedley Group, which distributes nail brand Gelish and manufactures All That Jazz.

NEXT MONTH… HOW TO TREAT A CONTACT ALLERGY AND THE INGREDIENTS TO BE AWARE OF

This article appears in June 2021

Go to Page View
This article appears in...
June 2021
Go to Page View
EDITOR’S COMMENT
With salons, spas and therapists still adjusting to
NEWS
Massage and touch therapy could reduce sick days
POWER COUPLES
Combining electrotherapy with the active ingredients in aromatherapy-based skincare can lead to impressive skin results. Matt Taylor, brand and education manager at Eve Taylor London, explains how to make it work for your clients
PROFESSIONALBEAUTY.CO.UK
We take a look inside PB’s digital world
INSIDER BEAUTY
Our exclusive monthly benchmarking stats for each sector of the market
INSIDER SPA
RIVER ISLAND With clients returning to your spa
INSIDER NAILS
LIPSY With clients focused on washing their hands
THE RETAIL DILEMMA
The rise in online shopping during the pandemic has heightened the challenge of retailing in salons and spas. Hellen Ward explains why professional brands should be careful not to burn their bridges
ASK THE EXPERTS
Our beauty experts answer your questions about every aspect of running a salon or spa business
GET ACCURATE ENERGY BILLS WITH SMART METERS
Avoid estimates and only pay for what you use. Ask your energy supplier if you are eligible for a smart meter
TALKING TO… CATHY BALL & FRAN ROWLAND
As renowned spa director Cathy Ball retires and hands the reins to Fran Rowland, Eve Oxberry speaks to both about the secrets of Calcot & Spa’s longevity, and what lies ahead
OFF THE MARK
As we head in to summer, arming yourself with the knowledge to treat hyperpigmentation and melasma will help you to provide your clients with the best course of action, finds Eleanor Vousden
GET EVEN
Help your clients prevent and clear pigmentation and melasma with these brightening home care treatments
FRESH START
Supplier Professional Beauty Systems is helping salons bounce back strong with a refresh of its core brands Crazy Angel and Kaeso, as well as new training. Brand manager Caitlein Hannigan gives us the lowdown
CLOSE CALL
With contact allergies a growing concern, Amanda Pauley caught up with tech Georgie Smedley to find out how to prevent them from occurring and get her top for working safely
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE
Nikki Smith has overcome many business challenges during her 25 years operating The Waxing Station in Stalybridge. From managing expansion to staffing issues, the salon owner shares her pearls of wisdom with Amanda Pauley
MAKING WAVES
During one of the toughest ever years for the industry, multimillion-pound Wave Garden Spa has opened in Snowdonia, with hopes to become one of the UK’s leading wellness destinations. Amanda Pauley gets the lowdown
BRIGHTER DAYS
Innovations to tackle maskne and lift the mood top this month’s launches as we prepare for sunnier days ahead
SPECIAL DELIVERY
This month’s hot new treatment launches use advanced technology to deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin
Looking for back issues?
Browse the Archive >

Previous Article Next Article
June 2021
CONTENTS
Page 69
PAGE VIEW