What are Jelly Nails? It is like lip gloss for your nails where semi-sheer shades interpreted in multiple colour ways, such as juicy reds, pinks and oranges, and blues resemble sea glass or jelly on your nails. The semi-sheer finish also gives off vibes similar to the jelly shoes that have also made a recent comeback.

Let’s have a quick look at the anatomy of the hair.

You have probably heard about hair follicles and pores, but did you know that these two are one and the same? A lot of our pores don’t actually have hair growing out of them, but each one has a hair follicle within it. So, these pores, or hair follicles, anchor each strand of hair all over the body. These visible strands of hair are known as the hair shaft and have three layers: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla. The cuticle is made up of layers of dead cells that lay on top of one another to protect and strengthen the hair shaft. The cortex, found just beneath the cuticle, gives our hair its thickness and color. The thinnest, an innermost layer called the medulla, is in the center of your hair shaft. To keep your hair healthy and strong, you need to keep the outer layers of your hair in the best shape possible.

So why do split ends occur?

In HAIRDRESSING /COSMETOLOGY split ends, also known as Trichoptilosis, are simply a form of hair damage that results from mechanical stress. Mechanical stress may occur from friction, grooming, and styling. That means heat from your flat iron or the blow dryer, chemical treatments, brushing your hair, using rubber bands to tie up your hair, and even harsh climate conditions. Most people tend to notice the very tips of their hair-splitting when they are overdue for a haircut.

Are there any other methods?

• Dry your hair gently!

Vigorous rubbing with a towel can lead to friction, tangles, and broken strands, so dry with a gentle hand. You can also try switching to a microfiber or terry cloth towel created specifically for absorbing moisture.

• Tie hair back with care

Constantly having your hair pulled back can cause a lot of damage if you are using rubber bands.  Try hair ties made of nylon or cloth instead of rubber, this will reduce the pulling and breaking of the hair.

• Give your hair some time off from heat and chemicals

In the same way that we need to unwind our minds and bodies from time to time, our hair can also truly benefit from a break occasionally. Giving your hair some time off from heat and chemical treatments can keep the cuticle hydrated and in its best shape. This will, in turn, reduce split ends as well as dryness and overall damage.

• Keep your scalp healthy

While those splitting ends may be far tips of our tresses, hair health begins with scalp health. While it’s important to keep your scalp clean, take care not to over-wash, which will lead to more shampooing and ultimately, dryer strands. When it’s time to wash, keep the suds on your scalp, and save the conditioning for the ends.

Are you interested in HAIRDRESSING /COSMETOLOGY?

Contact Hydro International to speak to a career consultant today and start your career in this amazing field!

One of the most popular self-care treatments in a spa or salon is a manicure or artificial nail enhancements. I’m sure you can agree that well-groomed nails can make you feel and look better. But, if your nails are thin, peeling, and cracked, you can feel a bit embarrassed to have your nails done.

In BEAUTY TECHNOLOGY / NAIL TECHNOLOGY / BEAUTY AND NAIL / COSMETOLOGY we find that nearly 20% of the world population suffers from weak, brittle nails. So, what could be causing your nails to break so easily? Below our experts have summarised the top reasons for weak and splitting nails, and what you can do to improve these conditions.

2. PICKING OFF GEL OR NAIL POLISH

Peeling off gel or nail polish when your manicure starts to chip, or lift is not a definite no. When you peel gel or polish off the nail plate it also removes the top layer of your nails, over time this will lead to thinning of the nail plate and make the nails very fragile. It can take months for your nails to grow back healthy again.

How do I fix it?

Do not peel off your nail polish or gel! Try a non-acetone polish remover to remove traditional nail polish without weakening them any further. When removing gel polish, allow them to soak thoroughly, and don’t over-scrape or pull the gel off. This causes severe damage to the nail plate.

3 CLEANING WITHOUT GLOVES

Cleaning your kitchen and bathroom is a necessary chore. But repeated, prolonged exposure to chemicals found in cleaners as well as soap and water will weaken your nails, leaving them brittle and prone to splitting.

How do I fix it?  

This one’s very easy, put on a pair of rubber gloves before cleaning. This will prevent the chemicals from touching your nails and skin while you clean. You can also apply a moisturizing cream before putting the gloves on to provide some intensive moisture while you’re wearing those gloves. Biotin is also a great supplement recommended for healthy hair and nails.

4. NOT EATING A WELL-BALANCED DIET

Sometimes, brittle, or misshapen nails are caused by a vitamin or nutrient deficiency. This could be from any number of shortfalls, including various vitamins (like A, C, or D) biotin, and iron.

How do I fix it?

Eat a healthy diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals or supplement with oral vitamins and minerals.

5. USING YOUR NAILS AS TOOLS

If you tend to use your nails to scrape, peel, or pick things off, then you leave yourself open to breaking your nails. While nails can be handy to pick something off, rather find a tool that is suited for the job.

How do I fix it?

No surprise here, we strongly encourage you to use actual tools, like scissors for example, for peeling, or scraping, instead of your nails.

6. YOUR AGE

Unfortunately, you can’t stop the hands of time, and nails often become thinner or more brittle as you age. This may be the result of collagen depletion as we age.

How do I fix it?

Apply a nail strengthener to fortify thinning nails caused by aging. You can also take some of the other measures we have already mentioned above like avoiding gel manicures, wearing gloves when cleaning, making sure you get enough biotin and using hand creams and cuticle oil frequently.

In BEAUTY TECHNOLOGY / NAIL TECHNOLOGY / BEAUTY AND NAIL / COSMETOLOGY having thin or weak nails isn’t necessarily a sign of an underlying condition. Lots of different lifestyle factors can come into play. Take care of your nails and maintain a healthy diet. If you see any improvement in your nails after doing all the homecare advice, talk to your doctor to rule out any medical causes for poor nail health.

We offer courses in BEAUTY TECHNOLOGY / NAIL TECHNOLOGY / BEAUTY AND NAIL / COSMETOLOGY. Talk to one of our career consultants to start your career in beauty and nails today.

All HAIRDRESSING / COSMETOLOGY stylists have noticed that gents are opting for stylish, short, faded looks, complimented with beards.

Well-groomed, well-trimmed beards are sought-after looks also trending in 2023. Gents’ HAIRDRESSING / BARBERING treatments have been trending for some time now and growing more and more popular. Gents are now looking for professional Gents HAIRDRESSING/BARBERING services to look their best in all walks of life.  

What are the benefits of niacinamide?

• Niacinamide helps build keratin, a type of protein that keeps your skin firm, and healthy and increases the skin’s protective functionality.
• Lipid barrier. Niacinamide can help your skin grow a lipid barrier, which in turn, helps retain moisture. This is beneficial for all skin types, especially if you have eczema or mature skin.
• Minimizes redness and blotchiness. Niacinamide reduces inflammation, assisting in easing redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
• Minimizes pore appearance. Keeping skin smooth and moisturized may have a secondary benefit — a natural reduction in pore size over time, giving your skin a smooth appearance.
• Regulates oil. Niacinamide can assist in regulating the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce and prevent your glands from over-producing sebum. This will minimize the skin’s shiny, oily appearance.
• Protects against sun damage. Niacinamide can rebuild healthy skin cells while, at the same time, protecting them from damage caused by UV rays.
• Treats hyperpigmentation. 5% niacinamide concentrations can be helpful in lightening dark spots. Benefits can be seen between four weeks and two months from the start of treatment.
• Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Research has found that 5% niacinamide was helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. This benefit is due to increased collagen production.
• Protects against oxidative stress. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin as well as protect them from environmental stresses, including sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
• Treats acne. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe inflammatory acne with papules and pustules. Over time, it can reduce the appearance of lesions and improve skin texture.
• Anti-aging. Niacinamide is like a fountain of youth, fighting off internal and external stressors that can finally lead to the breakdown of premature signs of aging like discoloration and wrinkles. Niacinamide has been shown to combat the transfer of pigment within the skin, helping reduce brown spots.

Are skin products preferable over food and supplements?

All therapists who studied SOMATOLOGY / HEALTH AND SKINCARE / BEAUTY AND NAIL TECHNOLOGY / AESTHETICS / COSMETOLOGY will all agree that eating a balanced diet is the best way to get micronutrients like vitamin B-3. It is suggested you should only take supplements under medical supervision to treat any signs of deficiency. Your diet should include eggs, cereals, green veggies, beans, fish, and milk.

In SOMATOLOGY / HEALTH AND SKINCARE / BEAUTY AND NAIL TECHNOLOGY / AESTHETICS / COSMETOLOGY treatments, clients are advised to use Niacinamide for skin care every day, particularly in a daytime moisturizer. Niacinamide can be used in your skin-care routine on a long-term basis, specifically if you’re using it for anti-aging concerns. Studies have shown that there is an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, skin elasticity, and skin tone after just 12 weeks of daily application, and a 5% concentration of niacinamide benefits hyperpigmentation after 4 weeks.

Who can use Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is safe for sensitive skin or people with other conditions such as rosacea or eczema. It is a good option for people who are concerned about irritation from their skincare products or have difficulty using creams due to allergies. An oral version can also be used to treat acne when oral medications such as antibiotics aren’t well tolerated by the body.

How to Use It

For topical niacinamide, use it in the morning in products that boast brightening properties. In serum form, apply it after cleansing and prior to layering on other products, like moisturizers and eye creams.