Manicure and Pedicure
The words pedicure and manicure are derived from Latin words. Pedicure came from the latin word pedis  meaning feet and cura meaning care. Thus pedicure means the care of the feet. Manicure came from the latin word manus meaning hands and, again cura, meaning care. So manicure is the care of the hands.
Manicures and pedicures are similiar but not quite the same. In a manicure your fingernails are trimmed (if desired), soaked in a finger bowl with warm soapy water, filed, and ridges are buffed off the surface of the nail. The cuticles are softened, pushed back, and possibly removed. Dirt is cleaned out from under the free edge (the part that hangs over and extends beyond your fingers) of your nails and brushed with a nail brush. As is the surface of your nails. A hand massage is performed with lotion and in some cases an arm massage too. Then fingernails are painted with a base coat, two coats of desired color, and a top coat. That's a basic manicure.
Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are used to artificially enhance the appearance of natural fingernails. The term "acrylic nail" covers a range of product types, including press-on nails, nail tips, and sculpted nails. The first press-on acrylic nails were developed in the early 1970s; these were nail-shaped pieces of plastic that were glued on over natural nails. Early press-ons did not look natural and did nothing to strengthen real nails. Nonetheless, versions of this product could still be found on the market nearly 30 years later.
Modern technology has advanced to allow development of more natural-looking nail enhancements which bond to the real nail. Early attempts at making these enhancements used the same plastic resin employed by the dental industry to make false teeth. This type of resin, known as an acrylic, is created by mixing a liquid and powder together to form a thick paste. The salon technician smooths the paste into place over the natural nail and allows it to dry. The resin then hardens to form a durable finish that is filed into the desired shape. Dental acrylic is no longer used because it caused allergic reactions in many people, but improvements in resin chemistry have essentially eliminated that problem.
About our Nail Technicians
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Jane Doe
Fully qualified and insured nail technician specialising in acrylic nails, gel nails and nail art.
Julie Doe
Fully qualified and insured beauty therapist specialising in manicure and pedicure treatments
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