QuestionQUESTION: The following excerpt was in a response to someone's question on this site, last year:
"Cuticle oils, resins and powders are not known to harbour bacteria/fungus/mould etc. They are hostile environments. However, state laws etc, usually prefer more hygienic methods. With regards to files and steel implements, that's a whole other story."
What would be the "whole other story"? My new nail therapist uses the same files and cuticle stick on all clients (the steel implement used to cut away the acrylic is also old and rusty.) Already on my second visit, I had mold imbedded in one nail. On the next visit, it was in three nails.
I know that mold can be caused by moisture getting in between the nail and the acrylic, but this had never happened with my prior nail technician who had a separate "tool box" for each client.
I really like my new tech and I know that finances are tight for her, but how likely is it that her tool usage is causing the mold instead of moisture under the acrylic?
If it isn't the tools, why would this be a big issue for me, now? I don't have my hands in water anymore than usual. She does use a cuticle oil that I don't recall the other tech using. Any ideas? Thanks.
ANSWER: You need a new tech, and FAST.
You also need to report your nail tech to your states cosmetology board.
I know you want to be nice, and be a friend, but all you are doing is encouraging bad behavior, and also DAMAGING behavior.
On top of the fact that you should NEVER EVER EVER have your old product "cut away," using a rusty pair of nippers puts you at risk for a nasty bacterial infection, not to mention the lockjaw you could experience from getting Tetanus.
Mold is caused by a lazy technician, and that's all there is to it.
Mold spores can travel from finger to finger with an implement, like her files, porous files should be thrown away after contact with either these spores or with blood.
Moisture under the product won't cause bacteria unless something was already there, waiting for the perfect environment to grow in.
BUT, if a rebalance is done CORRECTLY, there won't BE anywhere for moisture to exist! All lifted product should be filed away, all non living tissue should be removed from the nail plate, and the nail should be dehydrated- I like to use CND Scrubfresh, it dehydrates the nail plate and leaves behind pathogen fighters as well.
If you allow this to keep going on, you are not only putting your own nails at risk, but any other clients that go to your tech as well.
I know you want to be nice and not cause her problems, but letting her continue with this type of behavior makes ALL nail techs look bad, and can cause you to leave with permanent damage.
If you need a referral for a new tech, please e-mail me: heatherdavisnails@hotmail.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Okay, I'm back . . . so just how do I transition regarding this condition on my nails? Would I do best to have the acrylic removed until the nails are "clean", and maybe put only some dark polish on my original nails, or arrange for a tech to "redo" the acrylic nails? Needless to say, I don't exactly want these ugly marks on my nails to be seen, especially since I work with the public.
ANSWER: This is not my favorite thing to do, but you need to soak off the enhancements you DO have on, and then if the mold is light, take a mild abrasive and file it off. MAKE SURE TO THROW THE FILE AWAY! And anything else you used that you cannot sterilize!
You can polish if you want to, I recommend AGAINST it, as it can trap whatever mold spores were not removed and help them grow all over again.
If you can go without polish for a couple days and have naked nails, that is best, then find a new tech to start you over with a better set of nails.
Good luck! I have also responded to your e-mail :)
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The mold is not light and it definitely will not come off with a mild abrasive or by filing it.
Is it relatively safe to wait a week or so before soaking the old nails off, or can the mold get worse even with the existing manicure? Based on the location of the stains, I believe that the mold may have entered the scene when the acrylic was cut back and new acrylic was applied. I don't think that there is a "leak" per se, coming from the sides of the affected nails. (My most recent manicure is only a few days old so I'd like to keep it until I would otherwise be due for another manicure.) Of course I don't know what additional mold may have "come into play" following my last appointment. Did I just imply the answer to my question? :)
Also, you noted that I could start with a new set of nails after going without polish for a couple days. Is this true even if the mold spots are not gone? I know for a fact that it will probably take weeks for the nail to grow out to where the mold can be filed off from the edge of my nails; the stains are halfway down the nail bed.
AnswerThe mold will most DEFINITELY get worse if you still have anything on top of it. The only way to know if it's gone is by dehydrating the nail plate, and looking for spots that are NOT chalky white. Acetone without emollients can do this. If the spots look wet, then they still have active bacteria.
Now even after the spores die, you can still have a stain on the nail. if you are at all unsure, see a Dr., and have them check it out. They may even be able to prescribe something to help it move along faster.
If the stain is JUST a stain, you are totally free to have a new set of enhancements applied. Just make sure you do some thorough interviewing of your nest tech, much like you would hire an employee! Check references, ask to see current work, ask about sanitation procedures... If anything seems fishy, ask, and if you don't like the answer, check it out and find out why. If you think something is off, it most likely is. :)
Keep me posted...
