KEY TAKEAWAYS: Green nail syndrome, which is often caused by a bacterial infection, can be rather unpleasant. By taking the following steps to help your clients get rid of the nail greenies, you set them up for a happier and healthier future.
As a nail technician, you’re sure to see some unusual things throughout your career. From wild nail art ideas to uncommon nail conditions, taking steps to prepare for the unexpected is crucial to your adaptability and success.
Green nail syndrome is an example of one of the conditions you will likely encounter as a nail tech. This unmistakable discoloration of your client’s nails causes them to take on a shade of green that can range from light to dark. Additionally, they may experience tenderness, thickening of their nails, or even separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Knowing how to identify and treat this condition can work wonders for your clients, help them reach healthier nail outcomes, and make you a well-rounded nail technician who is prepared for anything!
How to Get Rid of Green Nail Syndrome – AKA The Nail Greenies
Remove Anything on Top of the Natural Nail (Including Artificial Nails)
Before you can address the underlying issues and begin the process of healing nail greenies, you must remove anything that stands between you and the infected area. In other words, if your client has anything on top of their natural nail, including artificial nails, it has to come off.
Remember that swelling and sensitivity are common with green nail syndrome, so the process of removing artificial nails (or anything else) could be delicate and tedious. Take your time, be as gentle as possible, and your client will thank you.
Clean the Nails and Keep Them Dry
Because nail greenies are usually a result of an infection, keeping the affected areas clean and dry is one of the best ways to begin fighting back. Gently clean the nail and nail bed with soap and water, remove any obvious debris, and lightly brush the area if it isn’t too sensitive.
Specialty cleaning solutions can be used, as well as antibiotic ointments. Finally, focus on keeping the cleaned nails as dry as possible. Damp environments can make green nail syndrome worse.
Educate Your Clients About Green Nail Syndrome and Home Care Options
To successfully treat existing nail greenies and prevent future cases from developing, it is vital to educate your clients about what it is, what causes it, and how to treat green nail syndrome at home.
Alongside basic suggestions, such as keeping nails clean and dry, feel free to provide them with some home remedies that they can employ to treat green nails and prevent them from occurring in the future. Consider sharing the following tips with your clients:
- Vinegar soaks. By soaking affected nails in a mixture of vinegar and water, clients can clean their nails and kill bacteria.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide. 3% hydrogen peroxide can be mixed with water to create a potent cleaning and bacteria-killing solution.
- Use tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil as an antimicrobial. Dab the solution onto the affected areas with a cotton ball.
Refer Them to a Doctor When Necessary
While many cases of green nail syndrome can be treated by a nail tech, there are situations where you should refer your client to a doctor. Knowing how and when to draw the line is important, as your recommendation could be the push a client needs to take their condition seriously and see a doctor who can help them.
If your client has any of these concerns, you should encourage them to see a doctor about their nail greenies.
- Underlying health concerns, such as a weakened immune system or diabetes.
- Symptoms that continue to worsen or spread.
- Noticeable pain, discomfort, or odor originating from the affected area.
Protect Yourself with Nail Tech Liability Insurance
Knowing how to get rid of green nail syndrome is one thing; protecting your business, career, finances, and reputation as you work with clients is another challenge altogether. Any time you have clients visit your space or work with them in a hands-on manner, you are opening yourself to risk, especially if a medical concern is involved.
Should something go wrong–whether it's a slip and fall claim or green nail syndrome–you could find yourself facing legal troubles.
Investing in a comprehensive nail tech liability insurance policy preserves your reputation, helps cover legal fees and medical expenses, projects an image of professionalism, and allows you to operate your business with confidence.
For more nail tech trends, tips, tricks, and insights, be sure to subscribe to Elite Beauty Society. You can also peruse our vast archive of beauty industry resources by checking out our blog.
Meet Hanna Marcus, the Founder and Head Copy Gal behind Boundless Copy, a one-of-a-kind copywriting agency that specializes in big, bold brand voice and industry-disrupting copy that’s all about resonating with the right audience.
Hanna has proudly teamed up with Elite Beauty Society for several years as their go-to copywriter on all things beauty, small biz marketing, and brand voice development. She’s big on feeling-first writing–her personal soapbox is that the best copy starts with telling a story.
When she’s not writing cheeky, converting copy for clients, she’s mentoring other aspiring copywriters and creating digital copywriting resources designed for service pros and focused on taking the stress out of DIY copywriting.
