Gloves, the protection you want or need?

Hey Everyone,

Do you wear gloves when doing nails? During certain services? Certain seasons or times? Wearing gloves is one of those choices that usually is up to the Nail Tech. It seems like the people who wear them, cannot not wear them. Yes, sorry for the double negative but these people NEED them. However, depending on who you are talking to some may think it is a luxury while others think of it more as a naissance.

Reasons to wear gloves:

• You risk catching what your client has if you do not where them. This could range from mild to extremely serious, we are talking bacteria, fungus, warts, hepatitis, and even HIV. This alone is a great reason to wear gloves.

• Your hands take a hit when around alcohol, acetone, and dust all day. Even the uncured gel, primers, and other product can affect your hands. Some of these products can cause onsets to certain allergies and skin conditions, such as eczema. Wearing gloves can prevent any worsening. PLUS the dust dries out your hands an obscene amount. Long term you should see the difference.

• Huge perk - people find they get sick less often! Without all that skin to skin contact, there is a lot less risk for catching someone's cold/flu.

• Prevents your nails from getting scratched up and overall makes your hands look nicer once you take them off.

• Some Nail Techs find they nip their own skin with the file but the glove creates a protective barrier. *

Reasons to not wear gloves:

• Adjustment period, it is not easy to get used to wearing gloves. The extra layer can feel unnatural and feel like it is getting in the way.

• Not only does it feel unnatural but how often are you going to poke your nails through, I mean lets be real, most of us have claws so MOST gloves are not strong enough for us.

• AND if our self-made holes aren't enough then the holes created from the file is not ideal either. *

• I hear forms can be a real bother when wearing gloves, it will stick everywhere before you get it in the positioning you want.. No one wants that added hassle. Getting gel stuck to your glove is not fun either, everything just gets sticky and before you know it is everywhere and you have a big old mess.

• It is hard to promote what is on your nails when you have them covered for the majority of the service. Your clients are easily influenced by what you do with your hands, after all you are the expert. Covering them up leads to a potential loss in upselling and promotions.

• Gloves are an added cost. Gloves are not a fun purchase so it all depends on how valuable you perceive them.

• Many Nail Techs will feel the nail multiple times during a service, this is to ensure there are no bumps and that the nail has a proper shape to it. Wearing gloves can make this not possible, potentially leading you to less quality of work.

*This is related to both the PRO & the CON above because wouldn't you rather a hole in your glove than in your hand? Risking an open wound while not wearing a glove??

Now people who wear gloves will tell you, it is all about finding the right glove. You need more than just the right fit but also a high quality. If it is not the right glove you have risk of getting a sweaty hand, making it harder for you to work and potentially leading to another kind of hand irritation. You have risk of the glove breaking constantly and getting in the way more than helping if it is not good quality… plus if it is breaking that often then you are already exposed.. Not worth it. It makes a world of difference when you find a glove that is the right fit and high quality, if you are going to do it.. Do it right.

How it could be perceived:

GOOD:

• Safe

• Clean

• Responsible

BAD:

• Sketchy

• Harsh chemicals

• Grossed out by client/ their germs

Hope this helps in the ultimate question… are you going to wear gloves?

Elise xox