Frequently Asked Questions & Concerns

Many consumers have concerns and questions regarding artificial nails and disinfection and sanitation practices of nail salons.

Concern: Artificial Nails will cause my natural nails to become thin and weak.

Solution: Wearing artificial nails, whether they be acrylic or gel, will not cause your natural nails to become thin, weak or brittle. Removal of the artificial nails by the client and/or nail technician incorrectly generally causes this problem. Acrylic nails must be soaked off in a solution containing acetone. Gels must be gently buffed off, unless they are soakable gels. If you pick or tear at the artificial nails to remove them, layers of your own nails are removed as well. This is why your nails appear to be weak and damaged, and prone to infection.  Please, please, please, if you are going to remove your nails yourself, talk to your nail technician about the proper way to go about it.

Concern: My nails have turned green and I have a fungus!

Solution: What you are seeing is not a fungus. It is commonly known in the industry as a “greenie” and is the by-product of bacteria trapped between your nail enhancement and your natural nail. This may be caused by moisture getting trapped under the enhancement where it has lifted, or unsanitary practices by the client. Occasionally it is caused by the use of unsanitary implements in the salon, or by improper preparation of your nails by your nail technician.   Please contact your nail technician to have this attended to.  This discolouration will do no harm to your nail, and it can be easily remedied but it does need attention.  

Concern: I hear it hurts to get your nails done. I have friends who say the drill burns them and leaves big red ugly marks on their nails.

Solution: It should never hurt to have artificial nail enhancements applied to your nails. At no time during the entire process should you feel any pain. That includes cutting and/or bleeding of your cuticles, or heat and pain from a file or electric drill which leaves those big red marks. If you are experiencing any of this please ask the person to stop immediately. They are not using safe practices to apply your nails. Find another technician and ask them if they offer a pain-free service.

Concern: My friends have told me when they break an acrylic nail it really really hurts!  

Solution: This can happen if the acrylic liquid (monomer) being used contains MMA, which is a substance banned for use in artificial nail products in Canada. MMA acrylic is commonly known as "dental acrylic" and it is so strong that when it is applied to the nail, it bonds like cement.  This acrylic is not meant to be used on fingernails.  Not only does it create such a strong bond, it can cause an allergic reaction with overexposure.  It is not flexible enough to give when you accidentally catch your nail.  Sometimes this results in your nail being torn off the nail bed.  Not only is this painful, it is entirely unnecessary. How to prevent this? Besides being careful how you treat your nails the number one thing you need to be aware of is the use of this product in discount nail salons.  Most professionally-trained nail technicians use a type of acrylic meant for nails, not teeth, which is more expensive.  It also doesn't turn yellow, comes in a beautiful variety of colours, and creates safe and beautiful enhancements.    

Concern: My nails need to “breathe” so I need to give them a rest from artificial enhancements.

Solution: Your nails are made of keratin, the same substance that produces your hair. Your hair doesn’t need to breathe either, because, like your nails, it’s all dead. If you choose to remove your enhancements, that’s fine, but not because your nails “need that time to breathe.” Also, it’s important to have a manicure if you remove the enhancements, so it’s best to let your nail technician remove them and perform a manicure service right after. Again, please do not pick off the enhancements. You will be picking off layers of your natural nail right along with them, making your nails thin, sore, weak and prone to breakage and infection.

Concern: I can’t wear nail enhancements. They won’t stay on.

Solution: Most of the time, this is caused by improper application of enhancement products by nail technicians.   Occasionally some medications will interfere with bonding between enhancement products and the natural nails, but this is not that common.   

Concern:  Are my nails really gel nails?   What are Solar Nails? 

Solution: It all depends on where you have gone to get them. Discount salons are notorious for applying acrylic nails, and then one coat of gel and telling you you have gel nails. They also advertise Solar nails as something better than their regular service. “Solar Nail” is a trademark acrylic product of Creative Nail Design, (CND, the same people who brought you Shellac) and by the way that product has been discontinued and replaced by superior technology.  Discount salons use the term "Solar Nails" as a marketing ploy to make you think you are getting something better and charging you more for it.  It is simply a pink & white acrylic service.  There are also "Powder Gel" nails, "Bio Gel" nails, "Seaweed Gel" nails and yes, "Solar Gel" nails - these are all marketing ploys to make you think you are getting something "better for you".   Any gel service must include an application (or several) of a honey-like substance applied to your nails and cured in a UV or LED light.  There is no mixing of powder and liquid involved here. 

Concern: I can get my nails done in under an hour and pay $25 for a full set at a discount salon. Why should I spend more of my time and money with you?

Solution:  If you like having nails that look like everyone else's then the discount salon is the place for you!  If you like having cheap, questionable product used on your nails, if you like the fact that you can zip in and out when it's convenient for you (and sit and wait for the next available technician), don't mind the odd infection from implements that are used and reused on different clients when they should be tossed, don't mind that smell, and don't mind yellow nails, then that's where you need to be.

If however you appreciate that your appointment time is reserved for you, a thorough consultation is carried out at your first appointment to determine what type of nails best suits your lifestyle, every client service receives brand new disposable implements and everything else is cleaned and disinfected according to Durham Region Board of Health regulations, and you leave with beautiful nails that belong on your fingers (not someone else's) then you've found your perfect slice of heaven.  

Please take a look at the following video links for examples of what is NOT acceptable in a nail salon. If you have ever experienced this, please consider following up with a complaint to the local board of health. These are examples of dirty nail salons exposed in April, 2007. While these examples are in Texas, keep in mind they could easily be right around the corner from you.

If you like the sense of being rushed throughout your service, and end up with questionable product on your nails, perhaps an infection, and nails that look like everyone else's, please visit a discount salon. However if you value the health of your nails, hands and feet, are concerned with proper sanitation and disinfection procedures, want to wear beautiful, unique nails and like to feel that your presence is welcomed and that I value you as a client, please come to Scratch My Back Nail Studio. I look forward to meeting and exceeding every expectation you may have!