Manicure
Amber D'Halluin
1. What is a manicure?
A manicure is a treatment that takes care of both your nails and your hands. By performing a manicure regularly, your hands and nails will remain in good condition. During such a treatment, not only the appearance of your nails is improved, but attention is also paid to your entire hand and cuticles. It includes cutting, filing and shaping the nails, pushing back and removing the cuticles. Afterwards, a relaxing hand massage is often given, which ensures better blood circulation. Both women and men can enjoy this care technique.
2. Why get a manicure?
It is important for both women and men to pay attention to the care of their hands and nails. A manicure not only offers a relaxing effect, but it also has many other benefits. Caring for your hands with a manicure is not only important for the appearance, but it also helps prevent hand infections and improves blood circulation.
3. How often should I get a manicure?
It is recommended to have a manicure every 2-3 weeks to maintain the condition of your hands and nails. After this period you will notice that your cuticles become drier again, and that your nails become too long,… It is also important to use hand cream between manicure appointments (daily) to prevent your hands from drying out.
4. How to perform a manicure?
There are many different types of manicures. In this step-by-step plan we explain how to apply a classic manicure. This technique is suitable for both men and women.
Step 1: Wash hands
Before starting the treatment, it is important to wash and disinfect your hands thoroughly. Also ask your client to wash and disinfect his/her hands thoroughly.
Step 2: Remove nail product
Remove any previously applied nail products.
Step 3: Soak hands
Soak your hands in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. To make the experience more pleasant, you can add a scent to the water or/and flower petals.
Step 4: Cut and file nails
Cut and file the nails to the desired shape.
Step 5: Remove cuticles
Gently push back the cuticles and remove any excess skin.
Step 6: File nails with a polishing file
Use a 600 grit polishing file to mattify the natural nail plate. Then give the nails a natural shine by filing the nail plate with a 3000 grit polishing file.
Step 7: Apply cuticle oil
Bring cuticle oil apply to the cuticles and massage into the cuticles and surrounding skin.
Step 8: Apply hand cream
Apply hand cream and perform a hand massage to improve blood circulation in the hands. To keep your hands in good health, we recommend our SPA products On.
5. Hand massage technique
A hand massage improves the blood circulation in your hands. The applied pressure helps to get the blood that is poorly circulating in overloaded areas moving again. When you release the pressure, you enable the inflow of new blood. This ensures better flexibility of the hand muscles. In the following step-by-step plan we explain how to perform an effective hand massage.
- Apply hand cream to your client's hand and massage it with slow movements from the fingers to the wrist.
- Place your client's palm on your hand. Gently slide your other hand over the wrist to the fingertips, applying light pressure.
- Turn your client's hand so that their palm is facing you. Use both thumbs to make circular motions, starting from the center of the palm and gradually working out to the sides.
- Turn the hand again with the palm facing down. Massage from the wrist towards the fingers with both thumbs, with a pressing movement from the center to the outside.
- Take one of your client's fingers between your thumb and index finger. Slide your fingers gently to the fingertip with a light pressing motion. Repeat this 3 times on each of your client's fingers.
- Place your client's palm in your hand again and place your other hand on the top of your client's hand. Gently slide your hands down your client's hand from the wrist.
Repeat these steps on your client's other hand.
6. Types of manicures
There are different types of manicures, as described earlier. Below we will discuss some of the most popular methods of manicure.
6.1 SPA treatment
A SPA manicure is a caring treatment based on soaking and massaging the hands. It starts with a standard manicure, followed by soaking your hands in a water bath with enriched oils and minerals. After soaking, a relaxing hand massage follows with a nourishing hand cream to care for the hands.
6.2 Aromatherapy manicure
An aromatherapy manicure uses natural essential oils that are absorbed both through inhalation and through the skin. These essential oils can have anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, relaxing and calming effects.
6.3 Hot stone manicure
A hot stone manicure is a therapeutic manicure performed using hot stones, nourishing oils and massage. This specific treatment relaxes the muscles of the hands and fingers.
During this treatment, smooth, flat stones are used to massage your hands and fingers. The heat of the stones stimulates the pressure points in your body and in the places where the massage is being done.
6.4 Paraffin manicure
A paraffin manicure is performed with paraffin wax, an odorless and colorless substance. Your hands are immersed or covered in warm paraffin wax. After several layers of paraffin are applied to the hands, your hands are covered with plastic gloves and wrapped with a warm towel.
When the paraffin on your hands has cooled, it is carefully removed. After this, a standard manicure is performed.
