Erica's ATA

Niche nail tech problems✨ I’ve since invested in a lid for my coffee☺️

Balance is the secret to a crisp almond nail.

What you do to one side, do to the other for a smooth and symmetrical finish.

The cherry on top⬇️

👉 Finish file on top to smooth and even out application at 15,000-20,000RPM

👉 Seal the cuticle for seamless grow out and preventing lifting at 8,000-13,000RPM

Using the Erica’s ATA Diamond Hand File in medium and the Acrylic Bit Kit

This little area doesn’t look like much, but it can be incredibly painful.

Dr. Sharkey, (Dr. Anne Sharkey | Podiatrist & Media Expert ), breaks it down like this⬇️

👉 This thicker skin, called a corn, becomes so thick that it can put pressure on the nerves in the toe. This can cause a lot of pain!

The good news⬇️

👉 Reducing the corn thickness can reduce the pressure, and relieve the pain.

The best part? A podiatrist or a nail technician can safely work on reducing this corn with the proper technique.

Follow Erica's 💅 Nail Tools & Tips and Dr. Anne Sharkey | Podiatrist & Media Expert for more footcare education

I could have lied about this 👀

I could have pretended like it NEVER happened and scrapped the footage- but what good would that have done?

Yes, cuticle cuts happen, but how you handle it changes everything:

👉 Know and practice your state board procedures.

👉 Keep calm. Don’t over apologize and don’t blame the client.

👉 Keep the service moving forward.

Accidents happen, you aren’t alone. We take it as a learning moment, and we move on with caution.

Get out of your head🫵

Sorry to break out the mom voice- but I felt like you needed to hear that.

When you have sensitive clients that bleed easily, you must do less to the skin. That means you may not get the “picture perfect” cuticles.

However, your client is walking out with beautiful, pain free nails. That’s what matters🎤🫳

Shoe shopping with Dr. Anne Sharkey | Podiatrist & Media Expert part 2:
AKA the one where we find a shoe we both love🎉

Here’s what we are looking for:

✨ A little bit of flex, but not so much we can bend the shoe in half.

✨ Cushioning for the bottom of the foot and for the arch.

✨ A heel counter ( something to keep your heel stable and supported ).

✨ Room for your toes to spread comfortably.

✨ A little bit of lift to keep the pressure on your foot balanced.

All those elements put together: you have yourself a winner👣

It’s a lot of pressure, okay😂

Let’s be real, size matters👀

No but really, once I have done the bulk of the exfoliation with my Pedi Carbide Sphere, it’s time to switch to my small Corn Removal bit.

This will allow me to be precise with removing the core of the corn that is causing so much pain.

Now, this can be an uncomfortable process. Check in with your client, and make sure they are not experiencing too much heat as you file in one area.

We then want to smooth the area with our diamond bit so it won’t catch or peel.

The big question: can the corn come back?

The unfortunate answer is: yes. A corn can come back due to chronic pressure and biomechanics.

Knowing how to safely address them, and having a foot care professional that can help should they reoccur changes the game👣