After every conversation I have a new takeaway on how important the risk of nail product allergies plays into our business. This week I sat down with Kate Bland of Nail Kandy. Kate is a nail tech based out of Toronto, Canada who has dedicated much of her knowledge to nail science and chemistry. I know Kate from her droplets of knowledge in the Nail Allergy Support Group.
Many of you know that I’m already passionate about the subject. Heck, this entire publication and podcast is dedicated to this topic alone, but I still get myself upset because it appears to me that not many students or new techs seem to care about this topic or incorporating it as part of their business knowledge. What I’ve realized through these conversations and then reflecting on my own past experiences, that this topic is not something we’re made aware of and then they choose to ignore - it’s that we are basically taught to ignore it. That if this issue doesn’t happen to everyone, then it’s not an issue at all.
These students, and frankly, many seasoned nail techs treat this issue as a “you” problem and not a potential business problem. So I would urge new nail techs to think about what happens when a client develops an allergy to products you used in your salon. Let’s be real, their initial reaction is going to be to go after you. Things can get heated - this client went to your salon and suddenly they need to go to urgent care for incessant itching and swelling, or their fingernails lift and fall off just days later, you better believe who they are going to blame for this. So before you get put on blast, I would ask yourself if you are prepared to know what to do when a service breakdown occurs and that client comes back kicking and screaming blaming you and your salon for the permanent damage.
My conversation with Kate contains some great tips to minimize risk in your business just by arming yourself with a little knowledge and coming from a place of safety and service.
All nail techs are business owners. Even if you work out of someone else's salon, what walks in and out of that salon is your business. And it’s important we assess all the risks involved in applying a product to a client and have our systems in place.
Kate, the daughter of a commercial liability insurance consultant had it drilled into her at the very early stages of her career that all businesses have the responsibility to understand and lessen the risks within their business. This sparked her interest in nail chemistry and science based facts around the products she used for herself and the services she was offering. This has built her a loyal and growing clientele who can appreciate the knowledge she has about her products and services.
“It definitely gives me an advantage for people who are seeking out a service that goes above and beyond the standard of a salon that you walk into…” she says. “…that you can really have a deep discussion about it, that all of the questions that you have will get answered and be given the best suggestions of what to do with their nails for their services. For my long-term clients that have stuck with me throughout the years and know how much of a nail nerd I am, anytime they have a question they know they can come to me immediately and I either have the answer ready for them or I'll go find the answer and I'm happy to do that.”
I believe it’s up to polished nail techs to advise their clients the risks involved in opting to do nails at home. Let your clients know the advantages to seeing you as someone knowledgeable and helpful in keeping their nails long, strong and beautiful without health risks.
You can hear our entire conversation in the latest episode of Pointed & Polished Podcast - but here are a few takeaways in risk aversion in what we can implement as beauty professionals and what clients can look for when selecting a safe salon for them.
Take your time when performing nail services. This is the easiest way for service breakdown to occur. If you are working on your timing, set your clients up with expectations for their service. Many clients appreciate the time to relax and know their services aren’t being rushed for your next appointment.
When sourcing and repeating information, take a moment to check in with the motivation behind the information. Are they here to show maybe some findings backed by some evidence or research or are they here to sell you a product? While consuming all this is ok, just keep in mind the motivation behind it.
Understand that all nail enhancement products pose risk. If you are a tech, be diligent in understanding your products and how they can affect your clients. When selecting brands for your business you should select brands based on their transparency, information availability, and level of customer service. Just because a brand is expensive doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for your salon. Know the ingredients in the products you choose to use, and remember that all SDS are required by law to keep on hand. If a client has an allergic reaction, we will want to be able to help them identify the ingredients in your products that may or may not be suitable for them moving forward as to not further exacerbate the issue. This will only elevate your reputation as a safe nail tech.
Work to create a salon that is rooted in safety first. Remember, you have an obligation to your client even after they leave the salon that the products we’ve put on them will be safe til they return.
If you are shopping for yourself and perhaps don’t care to do the further research, practice proper methods, invest in the equipment and PPE, work in the controlled environment and maybe don’t have the full confidence that your skills may accidentally expose yourself, then please take a moment to consider that risk.
There are still lots of safer alternatives out there that allow for really cute nails!
Lastly and always, don’t ignore any signs of something not feeling right. We deal with skin and immune system, the first inkling of something not being right should always be a red flag. This applies to yourself and your clients. If your client reports a little itching after a service, we need to remind them that is not normal and should be addressed as an early warning sign.
You can find some of Kate’s amazing work on instagram at nail.kandy
Would love to hear your tips and tricks in how you personally minimize risk in your business. My door is always open - simply reply to this email or shoot me a note at pointedandpolished@gmail.com with your burning questions and must know topics.
Talk soon!
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