Nail Enhancements: How Long Before the Client Is Responsible for Damage?

Clients love to adorn their nails with beautiful and unique designs. However, as the demand for enhancements rises, so does the debate surrounding the responsibility for their upkeep. Should the client solely bear the responsibility for maintaining their enhancements, or is it the duty of the nail artist or therapist to ensure their longevity? We’ve deep-dived with industry experts into this hot debate.

The Client’s Responsibility?

There is an argument to be made, that once enhancements are applied - and they are done correctly, it becomes the client's duty to care for them properly.

As such, clients should be educated about proper nail care techniques and provided with detailed aftercare instructions. Advocates of this view assert that clients should be mindful of their daily activities, such as avoiding excessive contact with water, using gloves when handling harsh chemicals, and refraining from nail-biting or using their nails as tools.

Moreover, proponents argue that clients should schedule regular maintenance appointments to ensure the integrity of their enhancements. Taking an active role in their nail care regimen not only empowers clients but also allows them to be accountable for the durability and appearance of their enhancements.

The Nail Artist’s Role?

On the other side of the spectrum, some agree that unless the nail enhancement is broken (which would indicate that severe pressure was applied to it) - nail enhancements should last between 2-4 weeks. As such, if nail enhancements come off, then there is reason to indicate that they were not applied properly and this would mean that the responsibility for the enhancements lies with the nail therapist.

To practice good customer service and ensure client retention, it’s important to be flexible to the client and responsive if any damage occurs. It’s not necessarily the timescale that matters so much as the cause of the damage, and if the client was not informed to avoid the certain activity that caused the damage, then the therapist should take on the role of maintaining the enhancement.

Striking a Balance

Offering free repairs on every nail would mean that clients could continuously come back without infills, likewise, offering no repairs, even as a result of improper application, will mean that the client won’t return back. A possible balance could include not repairing nail breakages but repairing other nail enhancement damage, or alternatively, offering one free repair per set as a margin for error.

Finding a middle ground in this debate is crucial for both the client and the nail artist or therapist. While clients should be educated about proper nail care and follow the recommended aftercare routines, professionals play a vital role in ensuring the longevity of enhancements.

Nail artists and therapists can take several steps to promote responsible client behavior while providing top-notch services. This includes conducting thorough consultations, assessing the client's lifestyle and nail health, and offering personalized advice on maintenance routines. By establishing clear expectations and fostering open communication, professionals can empower clients to take an active role in preserving their enhancements while also offering ongoing support and guidance.