4.5 Workstation and treatment area
Creating gorgeous looking nails begins with your preparation and setup. At the start of each day, you should allocate sufficient time to set up your treatment, and when making bookings, always allow some time between clients to clean and restock. Workstation setup is crucial not only for time your management, but also helps to uphold the hygiene and cleanliness standards required of you by law.
If you are working out of a salon, your treatment area and equipment is most likely already set up for you, and the equipment you need is most likely in place. However, if you are planning on opening up a new salon, working from a room in your home or hiring a space, you will need to consider all of the equipment you will need. At a minimum, if you are setting up your own treatment areas, you will need the following equipment:
- Treatment table or bed with safe working access at both ends and sides
- Individual electricity supply
- Magnifying lamp
- Operator chair
- Trolley or table for products, tools and equipment
In addition to the equipment listed, you will also need to ensure you have good lighting. Remember, products will start curing with any exposure to UV, so keep away from natural light! Professional lighting that mimics natural light is always preferred, however, do not use Halogen lightbulbs because of the UV emissions. You will also benefit from an adjustable lamp, similar to the ones dentists use. This will help to illuminate your work area so you can clearly see what you are doing. The most common lights used in the industry are Glamcor and ring lights.
Ventilation is also very important when setting up a workspace for nail enhancement services. As you have now learnt, you will use a wide range of products and chemicals that can cause irritation and discomfort over time. Your workspace should be equipped with some form of ventilation device, be it an extraction fan or a standard ceiling ventilation fan.
It is also highly recommended to have access to hand-washing facilities in or nearby your treatment area. For client comfort, it is also a good idea to have a hand rest or cushion, a blanket and device to play music on to avoid complete (and sometimes, awkward!) silence. When setting up your space, you also want to think about décor; some indoor plants and wall art can aid in making your treatment area inviting and calming.