Foot and Nail Analysis

Level 2 Beauty
Therapy

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Assessment of the Clients Feet

One of the most important parts of the pedicure

treatment is the nail and skin assessment.
This enables a decision to be made as to what
treatment plan is required for the client.

When carrying out the assessment you should look

at:
 Nail length and shape
 Nail condition/colour
 Cuticle condition
 Skin condition/circulation
Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Analysis Table

Nail Square Round Squoval

Shape
Nail Dry Brittle Weak Healthy Ageing Ridged
Condition
Nail Pink White Stained Bluish
Colour
Cuticle Healthy Split Overgrown Dry Inflamed
Condition
Skin Dead Dry Hard skin Callous Soft
Condition Skin
cells
Circulation Good Poor Bad

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Nail Types

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Different Nail Characteristics

During the foot and nail analysis you will

note the condition of the clients nails.
There are many different nail conditions
each with different characteristics, so it is
important that you have knowledge of the
specific advice you need to give for each nail
type.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
There are 5 main nail types

 Normal/Healthy nail
 Dry nail
 Brittle nail
 Damaged/Weak nail
 Ageing/Mature nail

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Normal/Healthy Nail

Characteristics: Cause:
1. healthy pink colour Quite often the condition of
2. feels smooth to the touch the nail is due to the good
3. no flakes, splits or ridges genes that you inherit.
4. has a good amount of Other contributing factors
flexibility are a well balanced diet and
5. good oil content
Advice: good nail care routine.
 Monthly pedicures, to keep the nails in perfect
condition.
 Massage foot lotion onto the feet daily.
 Correct fitting footwear.
 Always apply base coat if wearing enamel.
Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Dry Nail

Characteristics: Cause:
1. peeling The main cause of dry nails is
2. flaking excessive use of nail varnish
3. splitting – onychorrhexis remover, illness or inadequate diet.
4. feels slightly rough when Transverse ridges may occur due to
touched dry/tight cuticles pressing on new,
5. lacks lustre/shine soft cells from the matrix or
6. transverse ridges through pushing the cuticles back
Advice: too harshly.
 Fortnightly pedicures with warm oil, paraffin wax/heated boots.
 Avoid excessive use of nail varnish removers.
 Apply base coat and top coat for dry nails.
 Regularly massage cuticle oil into the nails and cuticles.
 Apply foot lotion daily Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Brittle Nail

Characteristics: Cause:
1. inflexible – very hard This nail condition may occur
2. shatters easily with the ageing process.
3. vertical ridges Ridges in the nail may be due
4. splits very low, usually to arthritis or rheumatism.
below the flesh line Constant use of nail
5. nail plate may curve strengthener will cause the
Advice: nails to become brittle.

 Fortnightly/monthly pedicures.
 Base coat and top coat for brittle nails (not a strengthener).
 Massage oil will increase the circulation to the area, which will help
prevent ridges, and keep the nails supple.
 A ridge filling base coat may be recommended. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Weak or Damaged
Nail
Characteristics: Cause:
1.nail will appear papery thin and Trauma or damage.
will bend easily Alternatively, intensive
2.splitting of the nail layers medication such as Radiotherapy,
3.nail will feel rough to the touch Chemotherapy, steroids or
4.nail will be very short in length antibiotics weaken the nail.
Advice:
Fortnightly/monthly pedicures.
Application of intensive top and base coat treatments (or
strengthener) keeping the nail constantly coated at all times.
Avoid trauma where possible.

Keep the nails short and manageable until healthy.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Eggshell nails

 A very weak nail may be termed as

eggshell nails. The cause of eggshell nails
is a chronic illness, usually systemic
conditions
 Thin nail plate that is white in colour
 Very fragile
 May curve under at the free edge

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Ageing/Mature Nail

Characteristics: Cause:
1.combination of dry and brittle Menopause is the common cause of
2.prone to twisting and curving this condition along with
3.ridges arthritis/rheumatism.
4.discoloration
5.dryness with peeling or flaking
Advice:
Fortnightly/monthly pedicures incorporating warm oil with paraffin
wax/heated boots.
Specific top and base coat for ageing nails.

Ridge filling base coat will minimise ridges and furrows.

Daily oral supplements of Evening Primrose oil or Clare

StarHargreaves-Norris
Flower oil.

Skin and Foot Conditions

Corns
Bunions

Hammer
toe
Callous

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Dry Skin

Appearance: Cause:
1. skin will appear dull and May be due to occupation,
possibly flaky medication, age, illness
2. cracks may occur in the skin or neglect.
which could become infected
3. skin may appear red and
chapped
Advice:
 Fortnightly/monthly pedicures incorporating paraffin wax/thermal
boots/foot masks and exfoliating treatments.
 Recommend the application of foot lotion daily.
 Use an intensive moisturising foot lotion overnight.
 Exfoliate as often as possible – 2-3 times per week if possible.
Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Callous

Appearance: Cause:
 Calluses are less sharply defined Due to pressure on the area
than corns and are usually an area i.e. standing for long
of yellow, hard skin. periods, or ill fitting
 They tend to be found on the ball footwear. Neglect is a
of the foot and on the bottom of common contributing factor
the foot near the heels.
Advice:
 Monthly/fortnightly pedicures with extra time spent rasping.
 Use a pumice stone or a rasp applying in one direction only to the
area.
 Can apply callous cushions to protect.
 Use foot exfoliant in circular directions.
 Regularly apply foot lotion to the area. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Hot/Aching Feet

Appearance: Cause:
1. May look red and swollen. Standing for long periods and
wearing closed shoes, which
do not let the feet breathe
can lead to hot, aching and
tired feet.
Advice:
 Regular pedicures.
 Bathe and dry feet thoroughly between toes.
 Trim toe nails straight across.
 Remove any rough or dry skin.
 Moisturise with soothing foot cream.
 Invigorate with a refreshing foot spray.
 Elevate feet to reduce aching. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Corns

Appearance: Cause:
1. Skin coloured, raised area, red or A very common foot problem
yellow and are sometimes rough. and contrary to popular
2. Hard corns are a build up of dead belief does not have a root
skin cells found on the tops of toes and are not contagious.
and the outside of the little toes. Caused by incorrectly fitted
3. Soft corns are found between the footwear that produce
toes, they remain soft due to the friction resulting in a build
perspiration between the toes.
Advice: up of epidermal cells.
 Corns can not be removed by a therapist, only a
chiropodist.
 Specialised products are available to buy to help remove corns.
 Prevent by avoiding tight fitting shoes.
 Protect by applying corn cushions. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Bunions

Appearance:
1.The big toe is pushed out of line
towards the other toes.
2.The joint at the bottom of the big
toe sticks outwards and looks enlarged.
3.Because the joint is more prominent
it can become sore.
Advice:
Cause:
Bunions develop as a result of
pressure on the side of the
big toe, usually due to ill
fitting footwear. The
tendency to develop bunions
can be hereditary.

 Buy footwear that fits properly to avoid friction, get your

feet measured accurately.
Client can use bunion protectors inside footwear.

Some companies manufacture toe separators that can correct the

problem at an early stage. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Sweaty Feet

Appearance: Cause:
1. No appearance, A common foot problem that can be very
feet feel embarrassing for some people. It is caused by
clammy and have sweat produced by the sweat glands in an
an unpleasant attempt by the body to lower its temperature.
odour. When bacteria start to break down the sweat it
Advice: can cause an unpleasant odour.
 Spray with foot antiseptics/deodorants daily.
 Regular bathing – feet will need to be soaked.
 Applying talc or foot powder to the feet to absorb any moisture.
 Regularly changing socks or tights - at least daily.
 Wearing footwear made from naturally occurring materials.
 Some manufacturers produce special insoles to help mask the smell of
Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Hammer Toe

Appearance: Cause:
1.The toe, usually the This condition often accompanies
bunions second toe, rises above and occurs when the joints
bend so
the that the and toe rises above the other toes and the top
other
toes crosses joint is almost curled under. Highly arched
over. feet are more common to develop hammer
toes because of the position of the
Advice: ligaments
.
 Avoid squashing the foot into narrow shoes as it can cause
the muscles to waste away depriving them of movement.
Exercises that lengthen the foot tendons and stretch the Achilles
tendon will help to prevent.