What's done in a manicure?

### Polish Removal and Initial Preparation The manicure begins by removing any existing nail polish using acetone-based or non-acetone removers. Regular polish wipes off easily with soaked cotton pads, while gel polish requires special removal involving acetone-soaked wraps placed on each nail for 10-15 minutes to break down the cured gel before gentle scraping. This thorough removal is essential—any residual polish prevents proper adhesion of the new application and hides nail health issues requiring attention. Nails and cuticles receive initial inspection once clean. The technician notes any damage, infection signs, unusual discoloration, or structural problems that might require modified treatment or medical referral. This assessment stage ensures treatments address your specific nail condition rather than applying generic procedures regardless of individual needs. Hand washing with gentle cleanser removes surface dirt, oils, and residual polish remover. Clean hands allow better treatment product absorption and prevent contamination of the soaking water. This preparatory cleaning takes only minutes but significantly impacts treatment effectiveness and hygiene standards. ### Soaking and Softening Hands soak in warm water mixed with gentle cleansers, essential oils, or specialized soaking solutions for 5-10 minutes. This critical step softens cuticles for safe manipulation, hydrates nail plates to prevent filing damage, and begins the relaxation aspect that makes manicures therapeutic beyond their aesthetic function. The soaking temperature matters—water too hot damages skin and can separate gel enhancements, while water too cool fails to adequately soften cuticles and skin. Professional technicians maintain optimal warm-not-hot temperatures that maximize softening without causing harm. Some manicures include enhanced soaking solutions: milk and honey for deep moisturizing, sea salt for mineral infusion, aromatherapy oils for relaxation, or antibacterial ingredients if minor infections are present. These additions transform basic softening into targeted treatment addressing specific hand concerns. ### Nail Shaping Process Once softened, nail shaping begins with professional-grade files creating your chosen nail shape. The technician files in consistent single-direction strokes rather than back-and-forth sawing motions that can split and weaken nail edges. This directional filing prevents microscopic damage that leads to peeling and breakage days or weeks after the manicure. Shape options vary based on nail bed structure, finger shape, and lifestyle factors. Round shapes suit shorter nails and active lifestyles with less breakage risk. Square shapes provide modern aesthetic but require length to avoid stubby appearance. Squoval (square with softened corners) balances style with practicality. Almond and stiletto shapes create elegant elongation but need substantial length and careful maintenance. File grit selection affects results—coarse files remove length quickly but can damage if used incorrectly, while fine-grit files smooth edges gently. Professional manicures use appropriate grits for different tasks: coarser for initial shaping, finer for edge smoothing and final detailing. This multi-step filing prevents the rough edges and splitting common with single-grit amateur filing. Buffing follows filing, smoothing nail surface ridges and creating uniform texture for polish application. However, over-buffing thins nails dangerously, so professional technicians buff conservatively—just enough smoothing without excessive nail plate removal. ### Cuticle Care and Treatment Cuticle treatment represents the most skill-intensive manicure component. Specialized cuticle remover solution softens the dead skin adhered to nail plates—this isn't living cuticle tissue but rather the sticky pterygium layer that accumulates on nails. The remover stays on 2-3 minutes, breaking down these bonds for easier removal. Using wooden or rubber-tipped pushers, the technician gently pushes cuticles back toward the nail base, revealing more nail length and creating the clean nail bed appearance characteristic of professional manicures. This pushing must be gentle—aggressive force damages the nail matrix underneath cuticles, potentially causing permanent ridges or irregular growth. Cuticle nippers trim only excess dead tissue and hangnails—never living cuticle that protects nail growth areas from infection. Proper cuticle cutting requires sterilized tools, good lighting, and trained judgment about what constitutes excess tissue versus protective barrier. Over-cutting creates infection vulnerability and the chronic inflammation that causes thick, irregular cuticle regrowth. After cutting, cuticle oil or serum massages into the cuticle area and under nail edges. These nourishing treatments contain vitamins, natural oils, and conditioning agents that prevent the dry, cracked cuticles that tear and create painful hangnails between appointments. ### Exfoliation and Massage Hand scrub exfoliation removes dead skin cells from hands and lower arms using sugar, salt, or chemical exfoliants. This step serves multiple purposes: removing dull surface skin reveals brighter, softer skin underneath, clearing away dead cells allows better absorption of subsequently applied moisturizers, and the gentle scrubbing action improves circulation benefiting skin health and nail growth. The scrubbing technique matters—circular motions with moderate pressure effectively exfoliate without irritating skin. Special attention to rough areas like knuckles addresses specific texture concerns. The scrub typically remains on skin 3-5 minutes before rinsing, allowing any chemical exfoliant components adequate time to work. Hand and forearm massage follows, using rich creams or oils. This massage addresses multiple objectives beyond simple relaxation: improving blood circulation nourishes nail beds for healthier growth, releasing muscle tension from keyboard work or repetitive tasks, and working moisturizer into skin for deep hydration that prevents the dry, cracked hands common with frequent washing. The massage technique typically includes palm pressure points, finger manipulation addressing each digit individually, wrist rotation relieving tension, and forearm stroking promoting lymphatic drainage. Professional massage lasts 5-10 minutes—enough time for genuine therapeutic benefit rather than perfunctory application. ### Polish Application Technique Nail preparation for polish involves wiping nails with alcohol or polish prep solution removing any oils or residue that could prevent adhesion. This dehydrating step ensures polish bonds directly to nail plates for maximum durability. Base coat application creates the foundation for lasting manicures. This clear protective layer prevents staining from dark polishes, fills minor nail imperfections for smoother color application, and contains adhesion promoters helping color polish bond to natural nails. Some base coats include strengthening compounds for weak or damaged nails. Color polish goes on in two thin coats rather than one thick layer. Thin applications dry faster, create more even coverage without streaking, and last longer by remaining flexible. Each coat follows the same pattern: central stripe down the nail middle, followed by one stripe each side, ensuring complete coverage edge-to-edge without flooding onto skin or cuticles. Drying time between coats prevents mixing the layers and creating bubbles or unevenness. Professional technicians wait 1-2 minutes between coats, balancing thorough drying with efficiency. Top coat sealing completes the application, adding glossy shine and protecting color from chipping. Quality top coats contain hardeners extending wear time and quick-dry agents reducing smudging risk. The top coat wraps slightly over nail edges—this "capping" prevents the edge chipping that typically starts manicure deterioration. ### Final Details and Aftercare Guidance Once polish completes, careful cleanup removes any polish that migrated onto skin or cuticles during application. Small brushes dipped in remover or wooden sticks wrapped with remover-dampened cotton achieve precise cleanup without disturbing the manicure itself. Drying time guidance helps prevent premature damage to fresh manicures. While surface-dry occurs within 5-10 minutes, complete curing can take 30+ minutes depending on polish type and thickness. Technicians typically recommend extreme care for the first 15 minutes, followed by gradual return to normal hand use avoiding heavy pressure or hot water exposure for at least an hour. Professional aftercare advice includes: avoiding hot water and harsh chemicals for 24 hours after polish application, applying cuticle oil daily to maintain cuticle health, wearing gloves for cleaning and dishwashing to extend polish life, and moisturizing hands frequently to prevent the dry skin that makes nails look unkempt even when polish remains perfect.

**Available at both locations**: - **Newcastle City Centre**: Meticulous manicure technique using professional-grade products for beautiful, healthy nails. - **Gosforth**: Over 25 years of manicure expertise ensuring proper nail care through time-tested methods. **Our Manicure Services**: - Classic Manicure: £18 | 30 minutes - Gel Manicure: £25 | 45 minutes - Deluxe Spa Manicure: £30 | 60 minutes [Book Your Manicure](#) - Available on Treatwell, Fresha, and Booksy