Information
The practices of improving the appearance of the natural nail and cuticle is known as manicure and pedicure. A manicure is the care of hands and fingernails. It is a hand and arm treatment to improve the skin and nail condition. It includes nail and cuticle treatment, hand and arm massage and enamel of your choice. The shape and length of your nails will be discussed with you prior to treatment to ensure a suitable choice is made.
A pedicure is the professional treatment of feet, toes and nails. It is a leg and foot treatment to improve the skin and nail condition. It includes nail and cuticle treatment, removal of hard skin, leg and foot massage and enamel of your choice.
A french manicure or pedicure is a popular way of varnishing nails that gives a natural look. A French manicure is a style of polishing the nails wherein white paint is applied to the tips of the fingernails, and the rest of the nails are given a pink coat or painted with sheer polish that is colored either pale pink or very light beige. It is very good for short nails and nails that have a moderate length.
We now offer manicures and pedicures using Gelesse gel polish as well as the traditional nail polish. The difference is that you don’t have to wait for the nail polish to dry. It is smudge proof and chip proof and lasts anything from 1 week to 3 weeks. It goes on like a normal polish, but is dried under an LED lamp, this is what dries the polish instantly. If you struggle with growing your nails, or smudge your polish by the time you get into your car, then this may be the perfect treatment for you.
Contra-indications that prevent a manicure or pedicure treatment
- Fungal Infections. These type of infections spread very rapidly and often thrive in damp areas and can appear soft and spongy. For example: athlete’s foot (ringworm of the foot) ringworm of the hand.
- Bacterial Infections. This type of infection is usually characterised by swelling, tenderness and redness in the area. For example: paronychia, whitlows, onychia.
Contra-indications that may restrict a manicure or pedicure treatment
- Viral Infections. These infections are very common and treatment can be adapted by using a waterproof dressing and avoiding the area. For example: Verruca vulgaris (common warts), verruca plantaris (verruca of the foot).
- Onycholysis. This is a disorder where the nail separates from the nail bed. Non-infectious nails can be manicured or pedicured as long as there is no fungal or bacterial infection.
- Onychocryptosis (ingrowing nails). This may affect the fingers or toes.
- Split nails, brittle nails.
- Blue nails.
- Beau’s Line.
- Nail/finger biting.
- Hangnail.
- Splinter haemorrhages.
- Overgrown cuticles.
- Pits and grooves.
- Flaking and breaking nails.
- Bruised nails.
- Eggshell nails.
- Corrugations (or wavy ridges).
- Furrows (depressions).
- White Spots.
- Koilonychia (spoon nails).
- Claw Nails.
Immediate aftercare advice
- Following your manicure or pedicure treatment please allow adequate time to allow your nails to dry before leaving. Please bring open toed shoes with you when you have a pedicure treatment.
Longterm and homecare advice
- To prolong the life of your varnish wear suitable gloves or a special barrier cream when completing tasks involving any dirty work or other work involving the use of water or chemicals such as gardening, washing up, hairdressing, car maintenance.
- Do not bite nails or surrounding skin and keep an emery board available to deal with ragged free edges to the nails, so that the temptation to bite is removed.
- Use a moisturising hand cream or lotion regularly.
- Avoid using the nails as tools, use the pads of your fingers instead of your nails.
Products that can be used to help improve the condition of nails and skin for hands and feet
- Base coat, nail varnish, top coat.
- Nail strengthener.
- Cuticle Cream.
- Moisturising cream or lotion.
- Emery boards and nail files.
- Buffers.
- Rough skin remover for feet.
- Foot powder.