Module 1
Introduction to Nail Technology
Duration: Approx. 10 minutes
You will learn:
The history of nail technology
The type of person who becomes a nail technician
Duties of a nail technician
An overview of the nail industry
Why business skills are necessary for nail technicians
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1.1: Nail Technology
manicure was performed? Did you know that it’s been
around 5,000 years since the first
While many of us would be forgiven for thinking of manicures as a
recent invention, they actually stem way back to the ancient period. Nail
polish started off as dyes made of henna and other natural materials and in China it
then evolved to become paint made of wax, egg whites, gelatin and rubber. In ancient
Egypt women would polish their nails and color them with henna of different colors
indicating different social statuses. The colors chosen by those in power were exclusive
to them and so average citizens were not permitted to use the reds used the queens.
Fortunately for nail lovers worldwide, nail technology has come a long
way since the days of Cleopatra. The first liquid nail polish came with the
invention of the car. Inspired by automobile paint Cutex used its main ingredient —
nitrocellulose — to create nail polish in 1916. We no longer rely on Henna and
questionable waxes. Instead, we employ a range of modern techniques
to rapidly and intricately develop natural and synthetic nails
respectively. In a modern era, nails range from being simple and elegant
like the French manicure, to bold and garish like well-decorated gel
nails. Everyone has their own idea of what nails should look like, and as
a pro-
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spective nail technologist your duty is to cater to your client’s tastes, no
matter what you think of them yourself.
As you work your way through this nail technology course; that is
exactly what you’ll learn to do.
Nail technicians are in high demand.
As an industry that commands billions worldwide, it is enjoyed by men
and women of all ages; with more emphasis on female clientele. In order
to succeed in both the employed and self-employed world, a typical nail
technologist needs to learn how to master his or her trade, remain aware
of the hazards involved for clients, and know how to manage a business.
1.2: What you Need
to become a Nail
Technician?
In terms of personal attributes, you’re going to need:
Patience: Each job is intricate and delicate
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Design: As well as the basic designs you’ll learn when you start
out, you need to learn how to create your own and draw
inspiration from your clients to produce the nails of their dreams
Organization: This is particularly important if you take the
management element of this course and use it to develop your
own business. Organization requires you to manage your
marketing, your client base, and your staff. You may eventually
reach a point where you have enough money to let others do
some of this for you, but much of the responsibility rests on your
shoulders as a technologist.
People skills: You’ll be working with people throughout the day
and you’ll need to use your people skills to develop a good
reputation for yourself and maintain your business
Passion: Being a nail technician involves hard work and requires
dedication, and takes time to build up to where you want to
be.Nail technology is about much more than simply painting and
sticking. You’re going to learn about the anatomy of the skin, the
anatomy of the nail, how to manage gel nails, basic nails, and much
more. It is, in a sense a form of art.While all of this seems
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overwhelming, don’t worry; it is broken down into small enough
chunks for you to manage with ease, allowing you to progress with
your nail technologist dreams.
1.3: What does a
Nail Technologist
do on a Daily
Basis?
As a nail technologist, you have a few key responsibilities.
While you may produce different designs on a daily basis, you must
always stick to doing the following:
Basic treatments, cleaning and filing nails. This includes
manicures and pedicures.
Applying false nails and extensions. Decorating both real and
false nails.
Checking for signs of skin and nail damage prior to beginning
treatments.
Maintaining hygiene control before, during and after treatments.
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Taking care of nails that have chipped and broken, both false
and real.
Offer luxury nail treatments for both sexes, using different
brands.
As well as applying nail polish, you’ll work with false nails, acrylics,
fiberglass nails, gel nails, and more. You’ll learn how to make skin soft
and supple. You’ll know how to deal with clients of all ages and both
sexes. By the end of your training, you’ll be an expert in making both
hands and feet look beautiful.
Approximately how long will you spend
working each week?
This can vary between individuals. Part-time positions are widely
available, especially in salons that use technicians on the side. Then
there is the option of a standard 38-hour working week, or you can go
mobile or self-employed and determine your own hours.
As well as learning the basic techniques required to become a nail
technician, you need to understand what the industry is about. Globally,
the
nail art industry makes billions. However, this doesn’t always translate
into high earnings in every locality, at least not automatically. If you do
choose to go self-employed, you’re going to have to put in some work to
make the most of your business.
It is worth bearing in mind that nail technologists work with hands
as much as they work with feet. While the majority of your work
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will focus on hands, especially during the winter, clients requiring
pedicures will come your way too. Clients find pedicures to be
therapeutic, which means you need to adopt the right skills for
making people relax.
1.4: Running your
Own Nail Salon
We’ve all walked past them; nail salons with those intoxicating
smells wafting out of the doors and row upon row of clients relaxing
while manicurists tend to their nails.
If you envisage yourself overseeing such a venture, you’re in the right
place.
Running a nail salon isn’t as simple as learning the tricks of the trade,
buying the relevant tools, and setting up shop. There are business laws to
adhere to, red tape to get past, and a few marketing skills to learn. It is
therefore necessary to have a basic understanding of these areas.
Without them, the time and money you invest into setting up your own
salon is going to be pointless.
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By the end of this course, you’ll not only learn a little about anatomy,
you’ll understand techniques, how the nail salon industry works, and
how to work your way into it as a self-employed or employed individual.
Armed with the right knowledge, you can become one of the many
successful nail technologists working throughout the world today.
Module Summary
Nail technology has been around for thousands of years. Today, the
industry is incredibly diverse, catering to the needs of both men and
women.
A typical nail technologist requires a blend of creativity, people skills,
and patience.
While the industry is booming, you’re also going to need some business
skills to make the most of your training.
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