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e-files for prep blog post

E-Files for Prep

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The first comment I’d like to make is that I am not against e-files for prep. But only in the trained and experienced hands. ‘Trained’ also includes a thorough knowledge and understanding of the nail unit, and the position and function of the nail seals.

You may have noticed that, recently, there have been many instances of two quite rare nail conditions. These are different from the 100’s of potential allergy situations.

One of them is a green/brown area of discolouration at the very base of the nail, almost tucked under the proximal nail fold. The other is slight to severe damage in the centre, at the base of the nail, over the lunula. This can start with a small area of damage but can spread up the nail. It is often mistakenly recognised as a habit tic.

Following discussions with Vitaly Solomonoff, NailKnowledge dermatologist (and nail geek), these may have two causes and both are connected with the use of e-files for prep (or other services). 

Firstly, the discolouration: the appearance of this suggests it could be a pseudomonas infection (aka ‘greenie’). It appears quite difficult to have this diagnosed. 

I realise that pseudomonas is often associated with an area of lifting between the nail coating and the nail plate. But it doesn’t have to be this. This bacterium is an ‘opportunistic’ bacteria and is present, virtually, everywhere. It likes warm, damp conditions. 

So, imagine the important seal at the proximal nail fold where, together with the cuticle and the nail plate, it creates an effective watertight seal to protect the matrix. Then imagine this seal is removed, and there is a void under the fold of skin. This void can trap any amount of pathogens (and allergens) in a warm and damp environment!

The previous understanding was that pseudomonas will die when exposed to oxygen. Research has proved that this is not the case and there are several types of this bacterium that will quite happily survive in oxygen. 

Amazingly, I have been told that some teach to brush the dust from enhancement shaping backwards, up the finger! Now, if this void is present, then dust, which may have an amount of unreacted monomer in it from either UV-cured coatings or L&P, is going to get trapped inside this void! 

The main message here is to keep that important seal intact, and protect the new nail and the delicate matrix.

The second instance of the central damage is called ‘median dystrophy’ (different from habit tic that is usually on the thumb and its main characteristic is horizontal furrows). The main difference here is that the nail plate is split and not just furrowed. This can be caused by many things such as infection or trauma.

Vitaly’s research has suggested that this can also be caused by the vibration over the delicate area of the lunula, close to the matrix. Especially when using e-files for prep. The answer to this situation is to keep the e-file at a slow speed, use a bit that has a fine abrasive, and use a good quality machine that has little to no vibration.

This Blog does not diagnose nor suggest the only reasons for these conditions. It s intended to make nail professionals aware of some of the situations that can happen when using e-files or, indeed, any manual procedures in this delicate area of the nail unit.

What happens to interrupt the physiology in this area will affect the whole nail unit. It may be a temporary situation but it can also be permanent!

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\n

Seal above the nail matrix at the proximal edge of the nail unit.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_f00b3885820d8ff0625113ec4f5b0c80":"

Nail professional<\/div>
\n

An individual who is qualified to provide a wide range of nail services.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_8196c5f52ac83d9e02e4c744c8c2d096":"

Dermatologist<\/div>
\n

A\u00a0dermatologist\u00a0is a doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. A\u00a0dermatologist\u00a0can identify and treat more than 3,000 conditions. These conditions include eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer, among many others. If anyone develops an allergic reaction to any product, it is important that a dermatologist carries out an allergy test to identify the specific ingredients that are causing the problem as an allergy is for life.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a656a2a40632c1e29663156211bbc0bd":"

Nail coatings<\/div>
\n

Any product used to coat a finger or toe nail for strength or to add length and\/or colour.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_47cedaa48c855fddda2626da1f52ddf6":"

Pseudomonas<\/div>
pseudomonas\n

Pseudomonas is a family of infectious bacteria. On nails, it cause what is often called 'greenies' (a colloquial term). It is also called Chloronychia, or Green Nail Syndrome. It is seen as a discolouration on the nail plate that starts as yellow and darkens to green then almost black. It's almost always associated with the lifting of a coating from the nail plate.<\/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_ac495df187bbf96e6482b41f45437ba1":"

Nail unit<\/div>
Nail Unit\n

The nail unit is an anatomically correct term used to describe the area at the end of fingers and toes. A relatively complicated area that protects the last bone and aids dexterity.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_17d90b8db559353662dd528fbaadc71a":"

Seals<\/div>
The Nail Seals of the nail unit\n

The nail plate is sealed all the way around it to protect the nail bed and the nail matrix. The seals are at the proximal nail fold, the side walls (perionychium) and under the free edge of the nail (the hyponychium).<\/p>\n<\/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_c7d08ac82eb8e0ea8cd0e09c09590f44":"

Nail fold<\/div>
\n

The fold of skin at the base and sides of the nail plate.<\/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_bd83f8bc129a83a80cbb2ce4439b3a5d":"

Allergen<\/div>
What is an AllergenA chemical that mobilises the immune system in the human body as it is a threat to the health of the body. Individuals have different levels of when a chemical becomes an allergen.<\/div>","cmtt_25cea33936735c2c744d374b288f3df7":"
Abrasive<\/div>
Abrasives
\n

Any material used to shape, polish and remove the surface of natural nails or artificial nail enhancements.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_1256c04862bdc6c8fe0105389d4f595c":"

Allergy<\/div>
Allergy Symptoms\n

The reaction of the body to certain chemicals that it sees as a threat to health. It is a permanent condition.
<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_045b376e7d4612af2edbd543cb1f20c6":"

Lifting<\/div>
\n

When adhesion of a nail coating to the nail plate breaks down because the nail coating has reached the end of its lifecycle.
When the nail coating has also been applied to the nail plate but touched the skin, the movement of the nail plate causes a fracture in the coating and water and or oil can get underneath the coating and lift it from the nail plate.
When the client has had some kind of accident \u2013 banged his\/her nail coating and caused it to fracture or break allowing water and or oil to get underneath.
When the nail plate is not properly cleaned or prepared before application then the nail coating will not adhere well to the nail plate and lift away.
It\u2019s important to spot this in time and replace or repair the nail coating to prevent infections from 'Pseudomonas Aeruginosa' or White Superficial Onychomycosis taking hold.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_233aa7066306b249d62603794d4832bb":"

Cuticle<\/div>
Cuticle\n

Keratinised and non-living skin cells of the proximal nail fold that seals the edge between the proximal nail fold and the nail plate creating an efficient seal at the base of the nail plate.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_08ad98412a9ffb1f23068a4ab1ec1c62":"

e-file<\/div>
e-file\n

This is a electrical piece of equipment using \u2018bits\u2019 of various shapes and abrasiveness used to shape or remove nail overlays or enhancements.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a94c3bad4f9dcf2a5f6fcaba474a9914":"

Matrix<\/div>
The Nail Matrix\n

The area, beneath the proximal nail fold ,where stem cells modify skin cells into the cells of the nail plate.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_df05eb08db9e67ae0ee501e6714c6584":"

Monomers<\/div>
\n

Single units of molecules \u2013 the building blocks of polymers and the polymerisation process. <\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_9179f00cdf69511c89a57d7a6fda3923":"

Furrows<\/div>
\n

Deep lines or grooves that can appear on the nail plate as a result of aging or certain medical conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_eb4a2a1671240a1ea4bf22d3ef36486f":"

Lunula<\/div>
Nail Lunula\n

Distal edge of the nail matrix, the area where the stem cells of the matrix modify skin cells into the cells of the nail plate. Visible on some nail plates as a half-moon, whiter shade.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_028573aa40ce1f3cceb26ad80ad33592":"

Cure \/ Curing<\/div>
\n

This is the term used to describe the polymerization process for the acrylics (whether uv gels or l&p systems) used in nail coatings. A 'proper cure' is what should be achieved which is when, at least, 80% of the coating has been polymerised. Anything less than this is considered to be 'under-cured' and can cause an allergic reaction. \"Over-curing\" would be when the nail coating is cured in a lamp that has a stronger output than what the manufacturer recommends, and it will make the nail coating brittle.<\/p>\n<\/div>","cmtt_a1f17f7b6c12911aab586fcc27ce999b":"

L&P<\/div>
Liquid and Powder\n

A two-part nail enhancement system using polymer powder and monomer liquid, and applied using a sable brush.<\/p>\n<\/div>"}}; -->