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Guardians of the Nail How Langerhans Cells Shield You and Your Clients During a Nail Service

Langerhans Cells Protect Your Clients Skin During Nail Treatment

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As a nail technician, you’ve probably encountered situations where products like polish or acrylics accidentally leak onto the skin around the nail. While this might seem like a small mishap, there’s a lot more happening beneath the surface of the skin than meets the eye. In fact, your bodies have their own natural defenders working hard to protect us from harm, meet the Langerhans cells, the unsung heroes of the immune system.

What Are Langerhans Cells?

Langerhans cells are like the security guards of the skin, always on patrol and ready to defend against anything that shouldn’t be there. Found in the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis), including the delicate area around the nails, these cells are essential to keeping our  skin healthy.

So, what exactly do these tiny guardians do? Their main job is to detect harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, or even chemical irritants that may have entered the skin. Once they spot a threat, they capture it and alert the rest of the immune system to respond. Think of them as the first line of defense, always ready to call for backup when needed.

Why Nail Technicians Should Care

As a nail technician, understanding the role of Langerhans cells can help you better care for yourself and your clients. When a product leaks onto the skin, or a nail plate has been so thinned out by filing it can reach the nail bed where these cells are stationed. If the Langerhans cells detect something harmful, they spring into action. This might result in redness, swelling, that could eventually trigger an allergic reaction as the immune system works to protect the skin and no one wants that so its smart to pay attention and avoid that.

For example, let’s say a bit of gel polish accidentally seeps onto the skin, gets under the nail or even leaks into the nail bed. The Langerhans cells might recognize some of the chemicals in the polish as foreign or irritating. In response, they activate, leading to an inflammatory reaction. While this is a natural and protective response, it’s not pleasant, as it can cause discomfort and spoil the beautiful work you’ve just done.

Practical Tips for Nail Technicians

To minimize the chances of product leakage and the resulting immune response, here are a few practical tips:

  1. Use Precise Application Techniques: Be mindful of the amount of product you’re using, especially near the proximal nail fold and sidewalls of the nails. Consider using a smaller brush for detailed work to avoid accidental spills.
  2. Protect the Skin: Apply a barrier cream around the nails before starting your service. This can help prevent products from seeping into the skin.
  3. Clean Up Immediately: If any product does get on the skin, wipe it away as quickly as possible. The less time it has to sit on the skin, the lower the risk of triggering an immune response.
  4. Be Aware of Client Sensitivities: Some clients may have more sensitive skin than others. Knowing this can help you choose gentler products or adjust your application technique to avoid any issues.
  5. Stop thinning the nail plate: Removing the protection layers of the nail plate not only upsets the balance of the nail enhancement that you are creating but also opens the nail for invading pathogens or product leakage

Communicating with Clients

If a client does experience redness or irritation, it’s important to communicate with them clearly and calmly. Here’s a simple way to explain what’s happening:
“Your skin has these amazing cells called Langerhans cells that act like security guards. When something they don’t like, like a little bit of product gets on your skin, they might react by causing some redness or swelling. It’s just your body’s way of protecting you.”

By explaining the situation in this way, you can reassure your client that what they’re experiencing is a normal reaction and that you’re aware of how to handle it.

Understanding Langerhans Cells: Key to Healthy Skin and Safe Nail Care

Langerhans cells may be tiny, but their role in protecting your clients’ skin is huge. By understanding how these cells work, you can take steps to prevent product leakage and ensure that your clients leave your salon with not only beautiful nails but also healthy skin.

Next time you’re working on a client, remember these guardians of the nail, and use your knowledge to provide the best care possible. Your clients will thank you for it!

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Seal above the nail matrix at the proximal edge of the nail unit.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_edc507d8d6f423b2441a4ed723bfa2a1":"

Allergic reaction<\/div>
\n

This is the reaction of the body to an invasion of a chemical substance or allergen that could be harmful or that the body has developed a sensitivity to. <\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_5c525ee1d52bc291bccb4abb30f8d973":"

Nail technician<\/div>
\n

Someone who is qualified to provide a wide range of nail services.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_f91b24fda315855075c5f71ac1180a2c":"

Immune system<\/div>
Immune system\n

The human\u00a0immune system\u00a0is a network of\u00a0biological processes\u00a0that protects us\u00a0from\u00a0diseases. Every individual has an immune system specific to them, which is why, for example, some people are allergic to certain substances and others are not. There are many situations and diseases that can compromise an individual's immune system in the short or long term. Covid 19 is one such disease and, after recovery from the virus the individual immunity can be altered.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_1246a1b7fb9bed3e4702bd0168f71114":"

Nail plate<\/div>
Nail Plate\n

Hard layers of modified and keratinised skin cells, bonded together, to form a protective plate on the end of each finger and toe, that prevents damage to the underlying bone and allows for manual dexterity.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_f7cda0e2b409840054b949fe6b1ad1b2":"

Enhancement<\/div>
\n

A term used to describe any artificial nail, including acrylics, gels, and nail wraps.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_726676b2500718705d6078b640f6e359":"

Epidermis<\/div>
epidermis\n

The outermost of three layers of the skin covering the human body.\u00a0 It is a protective layer and provides a barrier from pathogens. Its thickness varies depending where on the body it is situated.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_386c1431b70ea08d70a9cff5236be3c9":"

Gel polish<\/div>
\n

Gel polish is a type of nail polish that is cured under UV or LED light to create a hard, durable and glossy coating. It is a two-step process that involves applying a base coat, followed by the gel polish color, and then finishing with a top coat. <\/p>\n
\n

The gel polish is composed of a mixture of monomers, oligomers, pigments, and other additives that polymerize when exposed to light. This creates a strong bond with the natural nail, making the manicure long-lasting and resistant to chipping, peeling and cracking. <\/p>\n
\n

Gel polish is typically removed by soaking the nails in acetone, and is a popular choice for people looking for a low-maintenance, high-shine manicure.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a68f74236daaba49448b9ed76c38a558":"

Acrylics<\/div>
A huge family of chemicals that create plastics. It was, for many years, descriptive of the liquid monomer and powder polymer system of nail enhancements. However, many nail products are acrylics so the term is not accurate.<\/div>","cmtt_d95ff256137df5d55882fc6ae81adf69":"
Bacteria<\/div>
Bacteria\n

There are many species of bacteria everywhere in the world. There are bacteria both inside and outside the human body. Many are good for you but some are not. Some can make you ill. A bacteria species that is relatively common for nails is a species of pseudomonas aka \u2018greenies\u2019. The \u2018bad ones\u2019 can be classed as pathogens but nail professionals must use robust hygiene protocols to avoid any type of bacteria infecting their clients.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_e14623b52242301c74ec968ef95bc259":"

Chemical<\/div>
Chemical\n

A chemical is a form of matter that can exist as a gas, a solid, a liquid or plasma. Everything in the universe is a chemical except for energy: heat and light. We are made of 100% chemicals; the air is full of chemicals; water is a chemical. Marketing terms that use \u2018chemical free\u2019 are misleading and just wrong. NOTHING except energy is chemical free. It is a way for marketers to provide a false sense of security that is, plainly, unethical.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_c1a36df0013019a12f8f575de70e853d":"

Nail bed<\/div>
Nail Bed\n

An area of the nail unit under the nail plate consisting of Nail Bed Epithelium and Dermis.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_b1c0d6ac2b2d57b70735cc3036131694":"

Pathogen<\/div>
Pathogen\n

A pathogen is the term used to describe an organism (any organism) that can produce disease. <\/p>\n
\n

Viruses, Bacteria\u00a0and Fungi\u00a0are 3 typical pathogens that we can come into contact within the nail salon or podiatry practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_55369511233ea7dc3ec969dc71ce48b2":"

Polish<\/div>
\n

Polish, also known as nail polish or nail enamel, is a cosmetic product that is applied to the nails to add color and shine. It is typically made from a combination of nitrocellulose, a solvent, and pigments or dyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_36de48b4e0994542c215d206ddafdc83":"

Virus<\/div>
virus cells\n

A virus is a pathogen that infects all forms of life. It replicates only inside a living cell of an organism. There are many 1000's of species identified. One many are aware of is COVID-19. Others are the flu virus or norovirus<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_3f8d3201115a7ddcbcc5a1a736963226":"

REACH<\/div>
\n

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals.
It is a\u00a0European Union regulation\u00a0that addresses the production and use of\u00a0chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. The regulation also established the\u00a0European Chemicals Agency, which manages the technical, scientific, and administrative aspects of REACH.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_be3931e712d61dbc905165a4257ef0c9":"

Brush<\/div>
Brushes\n

There are many different brushes needed by a nail professional. e.g an L&P brush which needs to be a natural Kolinsky sable brush so it can hold the monomer liquid and pick up the polymer powder as a bead; UV gel brushes are usually nylon or other man made fibre. Nail art brushes are usually a variety of natural fibres. All have different uses and all much be kept clean to provide long usage.<\/p>\n<\/div>"}}; -->