Client Home Care Guide

• In order to maintain your Nail Enhancements for long-term wear ability, please read and follow these simple guidelines.
• Oil nails twice per day to maintain inherent flexibility. Product that is allowed to become brittle will crack and break. 
• There are several manufacturers products that I would recommend; however, since we all have our own personal choices, I will only recommend that the oil you use, contain Jojoba and Vitamin E oils.  Jojoba oil has a very tiny molecule which is small enough to penetrate the surface layer of the skin and pull the larger molecule of the Vitamin E in behind it.  Oils in addition to these are generally added to condition and moisturize the skin and nails.  Applying oil to the nail enhancement will help to maintain flexibility by lubricating the product molecules.  Applying oil to the natural nail free edge will help prevent 'curling away' and to maintain proper levels in the natural nail plate. I recommend the use of Solar Oil, the best Cuticle oil available !!!!!!!
• Repetitive or severe pressure on the nail extension will lead to cracks that result in full-blown breaks. Treat your nails as jewels, not tools!
• The use of 'tools' to help you perform your daily routines will help to insure against breakage.  For instance, use a pop-top opener to open soda cans, use the side of your hand or finger to open car or refrigerator doors, and never reach for anything with your fingertips as the nail extensions will reach the object first.
• Nails that are too long for your lifestyle and activity level (repetitive downward tip pressure) result in service breakdown. If you find that your nails are becoming a little bit to long for your lifestyle, I would advise you, to pop in for a reshape and to make them look fab again a little revarnish too.  The higher the activity level, the shorter the enhancement should be.  Extensions longer than the length of the foundation (the nail bed) will cause undue downward pressure with normal use of the hands and fingers which may result in a broken or torn natural nail plate.
• When changing polish between maintenance appointments, remove polish with a recommended enhancement friendly, polish remover and a lint free cotton or gauze wipe. After the enamel has been removed, wash hands and scrub nails with a soft toothbrush. Apply cuticle oil to the product surface and massage into the cuticles and overlay. Using the 360-buffer, buff the oil into the nail surface to re-seal the product. Buff to a high shine with a 3-way buffer or apply one thin coat of base coat, two thin coats of enamel and a thin application of topcoat, allowing the layers to dry between coatings.
• Bacterial infections (Greenies) are caused by moisture that has become trapped between the overlay and the nail plate layers. These spores require food to eat and moisture to grow. The nail plate layers contain contaminates along with the natural oil and moisture.  Do not attempt to glue the area of lift. Most instant glues (protein based) are not moisture resistant. Instant glue also sets-up the instant it is exposed to air. The glue cannot ‘re-seal’ lifted material and may incorporate bacteria into the area of lift. The bacteria will be trapped between the nail plate and the overlay, utilizing the natural nail contaminates as food and the moisture to grow. The results are a greenish to brownish stain on the nail plate which is a by-product of the infection. Should any lifting occurs, please call for a nail repair appointment. Please do not attempt to DIY repair the nail, I can fix this in a minute, but bacterial staining will have to fade on it's own accord............I will end up spoiling the look of your nice enhanced nail!!!!!!!
• Wear gloves when performing household chores, working in the garden or whenever you use cleaning solutions of any kind. 
• Most household cleaning solutions contain chemicals that will effect the overlay and result in service breakdown.  Some household pest sprays contain a chemical that may actually melt the surface of the overlay and compromise the integrity of the product
• Nail Homecare information sourced from Marti Preuss http://www.hooked-on-nails.com/homecare.html