7 Nail Health Tips Every Nail Tech Should Be Telling Their Clients

Keeping nails healthy between appointments doesn’t just protect your work – it ensures longer-lasting results, fewer repairs, and happier clients. As a nail tech, client education is your secret weapon. These nail care tips will help your clients get the best from their enhancements while supporting nail health, strength, and longevity.

Whether they wear builder gel, BIAB, hard gel, or natural nails, these tips are a must-share.

 

1. Cuticle Oil Isn’t Optional – It’s Essential

Cuticle oil isn’t just for dry skin – it’s a game-changer for nail retention and growth. Regular use keeps the nail plate and surrounding skin flexible and nourished, which can reduce lifting by up to 60% according to a 2021 NailPro study.

💡 Pro Tip: Recommend applying cuticle oil twice a day, morning and night. Jojoba oil, rich in Vitamin E, mimics natural sebum and absorbs quickly for deep hydration. Why not send them our way? The MUSE Cuticle Oil is SO GOOD!

👩🔬 Did you know? Nails can lose up to 12% of their moisture daily. Hydrated nails are far less likely to crack, snap, or split.

 

2. Always Wear Gloves for Cleaning & Washing Up

Household cleaning products, even the “gentle” ones, contain harsh surfactants and alcohols that strip both natural nails and enhancements. Extended exposure to water can also cause gel or acrylic to lift due to swelling and shrinking of the nail plate.

📊 A recent study by the British Association of Dermatologists found that prolonged exposure to cleaning agents increases nail brittleness and lifting in over 70% of participants.

✅ Gloves help maintain your manicure – and your skin. Recommend nitrile or latex-free gloves for those with sensitivities.

 

3. Nails Are Not Tools – Stop Using Them That Way

Using nails to open cans, scratch off stickers or pop lids is a recipe for breakage. Even a small crack can lead to a full snap – and sometimes damage the natural nail underneath.

🚫 Remind clients: nails are an accessory, not a Swiss army knife. One wrong move could undo all your hard work.

💡 Alternative? Encourage clients to keep a mini tool (like a keyring box opener) in their bag to save their nails from unnecessary stress.

 

4. Don’t Ghost Your Nail Tech – Rebook Every 2–3 Weeks

Leaving nails too long between infills can lead to overgrown extensions, structural imbalance, and even breakage at the stress point. As the nail grows, the apex shifts, weakening the structure of enhancements.

📏 On average, fingernails grow 3mm per month, meaning a 3-week gap can result in a 30–50% change in balance – particularly risky with long or heavy enhancements.

📲 Suggest your clients pre-book their next appointment during checkout. This builds loyalty, consistency, and keeps your books full.

 

5. Moisturise Hands Like It’s a Ritual

Frequent handwashing and alcohol-based sanitisers dry out both the skin and nails. This can lead to brittle nail plates, dry cuticles, and even premature lifting.

✅ Recommend a nourishing, non-greasy hand cream with glycerin or shea butter – bonus points for SPF to protect from UV damage too.

🧼 Tip: Advise clients to apply hand cream after washing and before bed to restore moisture overnight.

 

6. Educate Against Picking, Peeling or Biting

Peeling or biting off enhancements removes layers of the natural nail plate – sometimes up to 25% thickness, according to the Nail Knowledge Foundation. This leaves nails weak, bendy and prone to snapping.

👎 It also increases the risk of greenies – bacterial infections that can grow between lifting product and the nail plate.

✅ Always tell clients: if there’s lifting, call your tech, don’t pick. Safe removal is a professional job, not a DIY one.

 

7. Diet Matters More Than They Think

Healthy nails start from within. Encourage clients to eat a balanced diet rich in protein, biotin, iron and zinc – all of which contribute to keratin production and nail strength.

🥚 Eggs, nuts, salmon and leafy greens are nail superfoods.

📊 Studies have shown that biotin supplementation can improve nail thickness in 91% of people with brittle nails over a 6-month period.

 

Healthy Nails = Happy Clients

Great nails are a partnership. Your skill sets the foundation, but client aftercare seals the deal. Sharing these nail health tips not only helps your clients – it positions you as a knowledgeable, trusted professional.

🔄 Want to keep clients informed? Send this blog post after appointments or print out the tips as a salon handout!