Nail Lingo

When you enter a nail salon, do you find the list of nail services as foreign as reading Japanese? Me too. I have the best nail technician on the planet, and she thankfully knows exactly what I want even though I only ask for a manicure (which she interprets as a gel rebase, exactly what I was looking for). For the sake of myself and all my readers, I decided to figure out what all those terms really mean. And although I hope you all find a nail technician as magnificent as mine, this will arm you with the proper terms even if you don’t.

Manicures and pedicures are the most basic services a nail salon offers. A manicure involves trimming your nails, cleaning up your cuticles, and painting your nails if you want it done. A pedicure is the same thing on your toes. A French manicure is when you paint the tips white and leave the rest of the nails their natural color. It’s a popular way to paint your nails, but American manicures, or pink and whites, which use a softer more natural white have become more popular because they look so natural.

Acrylic nails, more commonly known as fake or artificial nails, are extensions of natural nails, and they are perfect for people who may have brittle or weak nails. Acrylic nails will not hurt your natural nails. Acrylics, if we want to get way too technical, are made up of a polymer powder and a liquid monomer (aka ethylmethacrylate, but if you say that in the nail salon, you may even confuse your technician). After fitting plastic tips to the ends of your nails, you nail technician will apply the acrylic, which will begin to harden on your nail. A rebase/fill is necessary every few weeks to keep your acrylics looking nice, but the plastic tips grow out and soon you are only left with your natural nail and the acrylic top.

Although acrylics are the most popular, there are other types of artificial nails. Gel nails are similar to acrylics, but use a polymer resin that is stronger than acrylic. Gel nails are more expensive, but they are less likely to break and crack. Fiberglass and silk wraps fit actual pieces of fiberglass or silk fabric on the surface of the nail. The material is then sealed with glue. If you are allergic to any of the chemicals used in the acrylic or gel process, fiberglass or silk is the way to go.

Paraffin wax treatments are luxurious treatments to leave your hands or feet silky smooth. Your hands are dipped in a paraffin wax (it’s really way too technical to explain what paraffin is, so just know it’s good for your skin) and wrapped in plastic or foil while the wax hardens. It seals in moisture and leaves your hands soft when the wax is removed a few minutes later.

Now that you have a basic nail vocabulary, how do you go about finding a nail technician as great as mine? There are plenty of bad nail salons out there, and don’t be afraid to be picky. Walking out is less embarrassing and painful than an infection. Be sure your nail salon has its establishment license and Board Health and Safety poster displayed in the salon. Also be sure the salon has a clean working environment and clean, disinfected instruments. Improperly cleaned tools can lead to infections, most commonly a nail fungus. Your technician should wash her hands before beginning to work on your nails. If you don’t feel comfortable, just don’t accept a service. There are plenty of other nail salons out there.

It’s that time of year, and I am signing off until January 2. Be sure to tune in then for a new series called Ah, the Spa. Happy New Year!