The topcoat that we use to seal the French, American, and Airbrush is a very strong yellowing resistant topcoat.  Remember that “yellowing resistant” does not mean yellow proof.  Almost all nail enhancements will yellow with the right amount of UV or heat radiation.  When dry, the top helps keep the nail shiny for longer periods of time over most topcoats on the market today.  The downfall is that certain “SPF” products react to this topcoat.  Signs of this reaction would include a slimy or sticky residue on top of your nails.  The product that has withstood the best to yellowing is Creative's SolarNail (Pink and white).  It is believed that the higher the SPF, the faster the reaction. Please note that the higher the SPF the more chemicals they consist. If you should run into such a problem we can use a combination of topcoats to help prevent reoccurrences.  If this is something you need done each and every time you have your nails done, please remind the technician.  Since this reaction seldom happens, it is not protocol to use a combination of topcoats. 

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For some the thought of having to put in work after you paid to have your nails done is not such a warming thought.  Especially those with very little time to begin with.  Most of our clients don't have to worry about their nails until their next service (based on a two week average of course).  However, if you type or have to wash your hands every other minute, there are a few things you can do to help your nail color last.  We usually recommend buying a bottle of top coat and applying it to your nails once a week or as needed.  This will help your nails look like they were just done and it will also prolong the wear of your color.  This is because the top coat has to wear down before the color starts to rube off or chip. 

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The use of blades (ie Credo blades) to shave off dead (callused) skin is illegal in almost every state across the United States.  The biggest reason for this is because of the increased chance of contracting a disease.  It may seem that some salons are doing you a nice favor by using a blade on your calluses but that is not the case.  Some people even refuse to go to places that won't shave calluses with a blade. 

The underlying problem is that there are no certainties in gauging the thickness of any callused area which may lead to over shaving.  It doesn't matter how much experience a technician may have with shaving calluses, you may be on the receiving end of an unfocused day.  Shaving the callused skin can produce open areas with an increased chance of contracting viruses.  You don't have to be in a dirty spa to contract a virus.  Any open sore (from over shaving or not) is exposed to plenty of viruses everywhere we walk and interact with in our daily environment. 

We offer CALLUS ELIMINATOR for those that have calluses beyond scrubbing abilities.  Callus Eliminator is safe and, more important, sanitary. 

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Though our new spas are equipped with sanitary Cleanjet* (no pipe foot spa) technology which provides a cleaner environment, we continue to clean and flush them as we always have.  Our new foot spa bowls are made of glass thus eliminating any problems that other porous foot spas may have.   

We exceed manufacturer recommendation and state board regulations  on cleaning and maintaining our Pedicure Foot Spa's.  For each Spa Pedicure service, we add a sanitizing powder to the water prior to service.  After each pedicure service, we clean our spa's with Clorox spray & EPA registered sanitizer (usually Barbicide, Barbicide Plus, or Biotech). 

At the end of each night we flush the spa's for 20-30 minutes (manufacturer recommendation is 10-15 minutes) in pure hot water, lots of bleach (manufacturer recommends 2 ounces of bleach but we use at least 1 cup), and non-foaming soap .  We then flush the spa again with cold water for about 20 minutes as a clean rinse cycle (manufacturer recommendation is 5-10 minutes).  The foot spa's are soaked overnight in a chemical called Whirlpool RX (a Hypo-Allergenic product of La Palm) regularly.  The rest of the Foot Spa is wiped down with sanitizing wipes (usually Clorox wipes).

Manufacturer of our current Foot Spas:

The Nailery (Oak Park Mall) - GulfStream Plastics

The Nailery Too (Oak Park Mall) - GulfStream Plastics

The Nailery (Olathe Pointe) - GulfStream Plastics

*Cleanjet (pipe-less foot spa) technology operates on a fan-like motor and never internalizes the foot bath water at any time.  Rather, the water is just pushed around the footbath by the fan-like motor.  The fan-like motor just blows the water giving it the same effect as the traditional jet.  Therefore the water is NEVER internalized for any type of germ incubation environment.

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Oak Park Mall has changed Mall weekend hours again effective 1/7/06.  Our salons will also follow the new mall hours.

Monday-Friday:  10am - 9pm

Saturday:   10am - 9pm  (Old hours 10am-8pm)

Sunday:     11am - 6pm

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There are many variables that go into how long or how often nails should be maintained or replaced.  Please understand that with the convenience and beauty of nail enhancement comes a trade off.  The trade off is a little more attention to how you use your hand and nails as well as keeping them a clean.  Most people will tend to refill their nails in a two week time frame.  Others will go longer or shorter depending on their nail growth patterns.  It is important to try to stay consistent with fills (enhancement maintenance).  The amount of stress (when force is applied to your nails) changes as the enhancement grows away from your cuticle area.  The wider the gap, the more likely lifting¹ will occur.  The real danger comes in when the fill gap grows to where the enhancement is only on half of your natural nail.  The danger isn't in the growth but exists when you hit your hand with just the right amount of force.  This can sometimes cause a crack in your natural nail possibly causing permanent damage to the nail bed.  This is most evident in those that wear longer than normal nails.  The average nail enhancement length is somewhere about a quarter inch (0.25 inch) longer than the very tip of the finger.  The longer the nail, the higher the risk of injury when accidents happen.  When it comes down to it, your natural nail will give before the enhancement will.  Don't get paranoid and want a fill every week. Two weeks is a good time frame to have a fill.  Many even fall between the 2 and a half week time frame. 

With technological advances in product and process, it is not uncommon for someone to say they haven't had a "fresh/new set" (complete removal with new application) for years.  You will also find that those individuals are also very consistent with their maintenance.  Let's use acrylic, the most common form of nail enhancements, to illustrate how this is possible.  When someone has a new set (tips overlay) of acrylic, it is all brand new.  However, acrylic will age (become brittle or yellow) with exposure to environmental conditions (particularly sun exposure or from tanning beds) over a period of time.  The nail always grow from the cuticle area towards the tip area causing a gap to form between the cuticle and the enhancement (the product).  When you get a fill they apply new product to the gap area.  For someone that has had multiple fills, the newest product is always going to be towards the cuticle and the oldest product is at the tip of the nail .  When a fill is done, most people have their nails shorten a bit (only possible at the tip area or free edge).   Shortening the tip takes away the oldest portion of the nail.  So for someone that's had their nails for a long time, the oldest product on their nail isn't but maybe a couple months old.  Somebody with years into having nail enhancements has lost the original product a few months after the first date of application.  It's weird to hear someone say "I've had these nails for 10 years now." This is often a misconception.  They might have had nail enhancements that long but the original product was gone long before they approached the 6 month mark.  This does not mean you should see how long you can go on without having a fresh set.  There are other factors involved in the longevity of your nails.   

As mentioned earlier, lifting can occur with almost all enhancements.  When your nails lift, moisture and dirt can wedge into the gap of any lifted area.   Even with the best self cleaning job, you cannot get all of the moisture and debris out without proper equipment or completely removing the nail.  Over time, and in the right conditions, germs will multiply under the lifted area and may cause more lifting.  Molding (usually greenish regions) might develop and can get severe developing into fungus (which can be painful).  Many salons will tend to cut and remove the lifted area out during a fill service.  Having to cut out the lifted area and refilling may cause very visible fill lines, especially with thicker nails.  Fill lines are lines that show where the older product meets up with the new product.   If there was lifting prior to a nail fill service, it will tend to look like there are cracks or seams in the finished product.  Most of the time the nail tech will level out the old product before doing the fill, which can also help reduce fill lines.   If the lifting is excessive, many techs will recommend a new set.  Some people are less motivated because a new set will incur higher costs and longer service time.  If you elect to have a new set, have patience and get the old/lifted nails soaked off.  There are faster methods of removal but they can be painful and more damaging to your nail bed.

¹ Lifting refers to any separation of any enhancement from the natural nail bed on which is was initially applied.

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While you will hear different opinions on this matter, we feel the best option is to remove your enhancements.  For those that love the convenience and beauty of enhancements, it is a rather difficult decision.  The biggest reason for removal is the fact that you would have to fill your nails almost on a weekly basis.  This is due to the prenatal vitamins that usually cause your hair and nails to grow faster.  Having to increase your salon visits (for enhancement maintenance) to almost a weekly basis is discouraging emotionally and economically for most.  We suggest manicures and/or pedicures every couple to three weeks. 

Many people like to have their excess cuticle removed (during a manicure or pedicure service) but we do not recommend this for people diagnosed with diabetes.  Removing excess cuticle can increase chances of getting a minor cut or sore.  Even if the chances of sustaining a minor cut is 1 in a thousand, not having it done will take that factor out all together.  This is due to the fact that certain people with diabetes can sustain a cut or sore (whether in a salon or anywhere),  no matter how minute, and not realize it til the area is severe.  People with diabetes may have reduced feeling, particularly in their legs and feet area.  We recommend not removing excess cuticle to help further control any variables that you can; since there are already enough that can't be controlled (for people with diabetes).  We may require you to sign a release if you would like to proceed with having us remove excess cuticle. 

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This is often a big confusion when people go into many salons.  Some people ask for a french manicure with the intentions of getting a full set of nails (artificial enhancement).  Others say french manicure where they only want a full manicure (not full set) with french.  The last common confusion is when someone wants a french manicure where just want their nails painted french. 

Most salons charge a little extra to polish nails french.  This is because it takes more time than just polishing a solid¹ color like pink.  French is usually applying color (typically white but can be other colors as well) on the tip of the nail only.  French Manicure commonly describes the style of polish not necessarily the process.  Saying French Manicure is like saying I want my nails red.  Saying I want a Full Manicure (or full set) is describing a process. 

*Note: This is not a universal standard but rather a common acceptance and there are exceptions to these commonalities.  Exceptions such as different salons that have their price list labeled differently with inclusive services.  For example some salons might list a "French Manicure" where the price is a Full Manicure with French style of polish as one combined price.

¹Solid color refers to covering the whole nail with one color.

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Is true that certain nail enhancements (ie Acrylic vs Silk Wrap) require less maintenance than others?

One main fact to consider is that ANY nail enhancement is always going to be applied on top of your natural nail.  Whether you have acrylic or silk wrap, the enhancement doesn't really change the fact that it's over your NATURAL nail.  Your nail growth rate, whether fast or slow, usually remains unchanged by what's on top of it.  Here's a good way of looking at this.  Lets say that all different types of enhancements are like different color choices that you can apply onto your natural nail (no enhancement).  Does your nail grow faster or slower with red rather than pink polish (nail lacquer)?  The answer should be "no".  All other factors aside, one enhancement won't necessarily change your nail's growth rate over another.  So just because you pay more for one enhancement over another, it doesn't necessarily mean you are buying a longer time between fills.  It may be that one enhancement may be more aligned with your body's chemistry than another.  Typically the chemistry involved more times than not is the natural oils that our body produces.  Some enhancements, like Solar Nails, tend to lift (pull away) less. (Solar Nail is a proprietary product of Creative Nail Systems)

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For example:  A customer comes in for a spa pedicure and is charged $26 at the end of her service.  They change their mind and would like to add a finger nail polish (adding $5 to the original amount of $26 totaling $31) service after the charge has been processed.  The issuing (customer's) bank sometimes does not recognize the addition as part of the original charge so it tries to hold $26 & $31 dollars.  When the salon settles credit transactions at the end of each night, the $26 will exist only as a hold.  Unfortunately for customers, issuing banks don't display these transaction differently.  The issuing bank usually just displays "Pending" which can be misleading when a customer can view their account right away, like with online/phone banking.  The $31 will go through as a transaction, debit against the customer's bank.  The $26 (authorization hold) may be held from 1-7 days before it is released.  Many times the "authorization holds" are  released/fall off in 1-2 business days however, many merchant processor will tell their merchants (like the salon) that it takes up to 7 business days. 

More information on Authorization holds from wikipedia.com

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