HEALTH & WELLBEING

Raynaud's

Life as a nail tech with Raynaud’s: 5 pros share their experiences

By Scratch Staff | 5 February 2025

Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a condition that affects blood circulation to fingers and toes and can cause them to change colour when cold, anxious or stressed. Other symptoms include pain, numbness and pins and needles. Symptoms vary for each individual and may last…

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Mood Manicure Colour Psychology

Colour psychology: Discover the mood-boosting meanings behind your nail colour choices

By Lilly Delmage | 20 January 2025

Save time and add an element of fun at the nail desk by advising clients on mood-based hues using colour psychology, advised by experts… ‘Have you decided on a nail shade?’ is a question you may ask daily, as you patiently watch clients rifle through colour pops and swatches. But…

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Katie Barnes Canva Allergy

Home gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk

By Katie Barnes | 11 January 2025

Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits…

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Feb25 Low Res Cover Scratch For Web

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Woman Burn Hand

Katie Barnes on… preventing burns from flammable nail products

By Katie Barnes | 20 November 2018

With such an increased report in allergies and accidents occurring with nail products from not just home users, but ‘professional’ nail technicians, I believe that there needs to be a call for better education on the situation. Creating beautiful nails is an art but one of the most forgotten and…

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Katie Barnes Allergy

Katie Barnes on…how to prevent allergies

By Katie Barnes | 4 September 2018

Concerns have been mounting over the number of tech allergies being reported from using nail products. It’s so important to address your working practice and products to prevent this from disrupting your career and causing further pain. An allergy builds up over time from overexposure of repetitive skin contact with…

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Greenies Pseudomonas

Is it nail mould? Katie Barnes explores greenies

By Katie Barnes | 19 July 2017

Award-winning nail stylist & educator, Katie Barnes, gets to grips with greenies… A problem that I have come across far too often in the industry is ‘mould’ on client’s nails – more commonly known as ‘greenies’. But is this really mould? Is it mould? ‘Pseudomonas’ are a common, run-of-the-mill bacteria…

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Erica Horton

How I juggle nail tekking around my family life

By Scratch Staff | 4 April 2017

“You just do nails” No, just “doing nails” doesn’t come close. Erica Turley (nee Horton), founder of The Nail Barn, Staffordshire, reveals her journey into the nail industry… I spent years working as a nurse and health visitor. I had worked in healthcare from the age of 16 and knew…

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