AboutMaggie Franklin Expertise Professional Nailcare: nail enhancement chemistry and technique, mancuring and pedicuring. I am not qualified to give medical advice or make medical diagnoses.
Experience I am a professional nail technician with 17 years experience in the professional beauty industry. I am licensed in the states of California (license #M120766) and Colorado (license #8611.)
I have been an active member of the online mailing list at Beautytech.com since 1999 where I network with 100s of nail industry professionals around the world.
Over the last 15 years I have accumulated several advanced training certificates, including the coveted Creative Nail Designs Master Nail Technician status, and personal training by Tammy Taylor, Tom Bachik, and Tom Holcomb.
I briefly joined the competition circuit in 2002, taking first place in the second annual Strut Your Stuff Online competition in the Enhancement 2 category. In 2009 I have decided to make time in my schedule to get back into competition by joining "Team Pink," the competition team captained by current world champion nail technician, Lynn Lammers.
I boast several contributions to articles that have appeared in both Nails and Nailpro magazines, including a brief stint as a Nails Magazine Help Desk contributor and now I write a semi-weekly blog for Nails Magazine while continuing to attend tradeshows and continuing education events.
Organizations Nail Tech mailist list at Beautytech.com
Publications Nails Magazine. Nailpro Magazine. Blogging for Nails Magazine since September, 2008: http://blogs.nailsmag.com/maggie/
Education/Credentials CA license #M120766. CO license #8611. CND Master Nail Technician. Tom Holcomb Academy. Personal training with Tom Bachik. Two day advanced training with Tammy Taylor. AEFM certified for use of electric file. HRTE (High Road to Education) in San Jose, CA 2009.
Awards and Honors 2nd Annual Strut Your Stuff Online competition, 1st place in Enhancement 2. Member of "Team Pink" competition team 2009. 3rd place, Novice tip-and-overlay relay at IBS Las Vegas, 2009.
I have had gel nails for about a year. After my last three fill-ins, my fingers have itched horribly, especially my little fingers. I really like the gels and would like to continue with the gels and my nail tech. She uses CND Brisa on my nails. Is there a product I can wash my hand with, or a lotion I can use they would help with the itching?
Answer The problem is that if you are developing a sensitivity to any of the products, you need to remove that product from the equation before it becomes a full blown allergy. It just isn't worth it in the long run.
CND bills Brisa as a "hypoallergenic" product. That doesn't mean it can't cause sensitivity, but it does mean it has a really low occurrence of it. So it might not be the gel itself. It could be a cleanser, or other product.
Have you discussed this with your nail tech already? The two of you may want to really pay close attention to her methods throughout the service and make sure no products are coming in contact with your skin. The biggest culprit with reactions to gel services is when we wipe off the tacky layer at the end of the service. What happens is the tacky layer is uncured gel, so it's still in a chemically active form, if that comes in contact with your skin while wiping each consecutive nail, it can cause a reaction over time. If necessary, try using a new pad for each finger.
You can use hydrocortisone cream or a little baking soda to neutralize the itch... but don't keep getting gels if you can't track down the source of the problem and eradicate it! There will come a point where anti-itch creams won't work anymore.
