Diabetic Clients and their Nail Treatments

As a nail professional, it’s important to ensure the safety of all your clients, including those who have diabetes. Diabetes affects the body’s ability to process sugar, which can cause various health issues, especially with the skin. Therefore, it’s essential to have a comprehensive consultation form to identify clients with diabetes. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the questions that should be on your consultation form, key considerations, precautions, and products that are good for diabetic clients.

Questions for Identifying Clients with Diabetes:

The obvious initial question that should always be asked is – Do you have Diabetes? A simple “yes” can immediately raise awareness to the professional. Other good indicating questions are – Do you heal slowly? or Do you bleed easily? These questions can raise red flags that alert you to the client’s individual needs.

Key Considerations for Tending to the Hands/Feet of Diabetic Clients:

A diabetic client will have dryer, and sometimes itchy, and irritated skin. In some cases, the skin can be prone to splitting and bleeding easily with a slower healing process. Lesions may be present on the client’s skin and come in a variety of severities, so a thorough consultation and visual assessment is essential before commencing treatment. Just because the client has diabetes, it does not make it impossible to perform a treatment. In-fact, it can actually alleviate and help the client.

Precautions:

Hygiene is always paramount as a professional, but a diabetic client poses extra considerations since the risk of infection and harm is more significant. A manicure or pedicure should remain a non-invasive service, and you should never perform a technique that could cut the skin. Other conditions may be present upon inspection of the client like lesions, patches, rashes, bumps, skin discoloration, or thickening, even poor circulation. As a nail professional, you must not “diagnose.” ALWAYS refer to a GP.

Optimum Safety:

A diabetic’s skin is more delicate and easily split or cut. Avoid soaking in water for anything longer than 5-6 minutes since this will soften their skin further. Be cautious and extra gentle when performing your cuticle prep to avoid any nips or cuts. Avoid firm pressure when using files and foot files so no cuts or tears are caused. A regular manicure or pedicure can improve a diabetic’s hand and foot health when performed correctly and effectively! Nails can begin to grow healthier; the skin more hydrated and supple, any itching and discomfort can reduce or even dissipate entirely.

Products that are Good for Diabetic Clients:

Using the right products on diabetic clients can make a big difference in their skin and nail health. Here are three products that are

ideal for your diabetic clients:

1. Lecenté Cleansing Soak: A lightly fragranced conditioning liquid that gently cleanses the skin. Contains extracts and compounds that have anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Clients can benefit from increased skin hydration, relief from dryness, and refreshed skin.
   
2. Lecenté Moisturizing Lotion: A lightly fragranced conditioning lotion that moisturizes and conditions skin. Contains Argan Oil, which can help prevent sun damage, has anti-aging properties, and is proven in wound healing. Benefits from Shea Butter include boosting the skin’s moisture and aiding collagen production. The presence of Vitamin E can help stop skin losing moisture, soften the skin and acts as a powerful antioxidant
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3. Lecenté Nail and Skin Conditioning Oil: A non-greasy, Lemongrass-scented Oil will not only keep a nail coating flexible and prevent early service breakdown but will deeply moisturize the nail plate and surrounding skin. It is full of high-quality ingredients with superior properties like anti-bacterial, anti-fungal extracts, anti-inflammatory compounds, and much more.

Education and knowledge of the nail professional are key to ensuring the safety of diabetic clients in the nail space. By asking the right questions on your consultation form, taking necessary precautions, and using the right products, you can safely provide your diabetic clients with a relaxing and rejuvenating nail service that makes them feel great.