Tipping the dreaded bitten nail......

This is what most of us Technicians will have to face at some point or other in our Salon, so it is important that it is done well and correctly, to achieve that perfect look our clients so much desire.............

Remove all non living tissue, so a thorough manicure followed by a thorough prep................

Size your tip so it matches the clients natural c-curve at the bitten edge.
Hold the tip in place and check for pressure mark on the sidewalls, the bulbous skin here can be a problem and if the tip is not saddled, can give the tip a ski jump look and even pop of the nail after application................
Saddle the tip, this means carving out a little space at the pressure points, I use small curve scissors, keeping a check on how much I take away from the sides.
The tip should fit like the piece of a jigsaw......
Reduce the contact area of your tip by at least 1/3 ..........
De-bulk the tip, reducing the thickness slightly
Fit the stop point of the tip snugly against the bitten edge and use Gelbond to adhere, checking that the tip is following an nice natural curve and not a ski jump effect................
Cut (prob much shorter then the client would like) , blend and thin the tip and proceed with your overlay...............
Make sure the overlay is nice and flush and there are no bits sticking out or to pick at...........
Biters who cant get at their nails, tend to turn into pickers............
Clients with severe bitten nails will need a maintenance much more quickly then non biters as their nails tend to grow much faster.....So I have my little cannibals come to see me after a week to make sure all is well.....

• I would advise for severely bitten nails, that the client comes to see you for a fabulous Manicure at least a week before enhancement application......
• Then advice on a  home care regime for this week,  
• AHA Cuticle Eraser and Solar Oil pampering pack; 
  An intensive daily treatment that contains four different alpha hydroxy acids (A.H.A's). It naturally dissolves the bond between dead skin cells removing them to reveal tight healthy tissue.
• Get the client to apply this every night for a conditioning and cuticle softening treatment, pack the cuticle area with AHA Cuticle Eraser and Solar Oil,  cotton gloves and then they wash their hands in the morning . If they follow this regime, it will make your service much easier. The client will have beautiful nails and beautifully framed enhancement............ 

This will help to get the cuticles in shape and will make your life much easier on the day........