More men are being waited on hand and foot - at the nail salon
The guys are taking a (finger) tip from the gals these days - and splashing out cash on buffing up their digits.
Increasingly, more males are putting the 'man' into manicure, making regular visits to nail salons for neater, cleaner and better-looking hands and feet.
That's according to a check of eight salons by Urban.
For example, international chain O.P.I, which has two outlets in Singapore, has between 15 and 20 male customers a month, a jump from the five to 10 men a year ago.
Over at local nail salon Flair Nails & Beauty Services, owner Victoria Koh says about 15 men a month trot in for a mani or pedi, almost double that of a year ago.
At Daisy's Nail Cottage, the increase is even more pronounced with 20 men turning up on average a month, up from just three to five for the same period a year ago.
They pay anything from $20 to $80 for a manicure, and $25 to $85 for a pedi - slightly more than what women fork out. Men are generally charged more because their feet are bigger and their calluses worse, say those in the industry.
The salons say there are two reasons for testosterone types wanting tidier tootsies and fabulous fingernails.
Some want to spruce up their image and enjoy a little pampering at the same time, while others have physical problems such as infections that need attention.
Staff at O.P.I say they often handle male customers suffering from cracked and split nails.
And at local nail salon Fave Nails, which has three outlets, many men turn up seeking help for ingrown toenails caused by wearing closed-toe shoes for prolonged periods.
Other common problems salons see include thick calluses, hardened, thick skin on hands and feet and fungal infections.
Flair's Koh recalls: 'I once had a customer who had fungus on all 10 of his toenails. I recommended a fungal lotion and had to throw away my tools after treating him.'
One man hooked on talon time is Steven Ong, a private banker in his late 30s. He started getting manis and pedis 10 years ago and now visits a nail salon once or twice a month.
'It's a luxury and I always feel refreshed after a manicure and pedicure,' says Ong, who suffers from ingrown nails.
He has recommended manicures and pedicures to both his male and female friends and adds: 'Some women are surprised. I suppose it's something different for a guy to do.'
Dr Wong Su-Ni, a consultant dermatologist with Pacific Specialist Practice, gives the trend the thumbs-up, noting: 'Some fungal infections have been picked up by pedicurists who refer them to dermatologists.'
Doctors point out that fungal infections are best dealt with in clinics. According to Dr Chris Foo, a consultant dermatologist with Raffles Hospital, they need to be treated by a dermatologist, using anti-fungal medication. In some instances, the nail may need to be removed.
Also, salons' tools must be clean. 'Unsterilised tools allow the spread of viral infections such as warts,' says Dr Foo.
Guys can do plenty of hand-and-foot upkeep at home too.
Moisturising regularly will prevent dry, cracked heels. And if you're in the sun a lot, slap on sunblock to prevent hands developing wrinkled skin.
For those with weak, peeling nails, Tan Juat Li, director of Fave Nails, recommends painting on a strengthener. Macho men worried about a glossy look can use matte shades.
Also, open sandals will help ease the stress placed on toes that often causes ingrown toenails.
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NAIL TIPS AND OTHER HANDY ADVICE
Problem: Dry nails
Signs: Nails are brittle and thin.
Solution: Moisturise your hands and feet regularly. Rub lotion into your nails when moisturising your hands.
Problem: Fragile/brittle nails
Signs: Uneven surface with discoloured areas.
Solution: Can be caused by a variety of conditions including fungal infections, frequent contact with harsh household chemicals, skin conditions such as psoriasis and deficiency of iron or vitamins A, B6 or C. Consult a dermatologist; make sure you get enough iron and vitamins in your diet.
Problem: Leukonychia
Signs: White spots on nails.
Solution: Minor injuries such as damaged cuticles can cause these. Spots will grow out as nail grows. Some white spots, however, are signs of a fungal nail infection.
Problem: Fungus-infected nails
Signs: White, yellow or brown discoloration. Nails become increasingly thick and brittle and free end of nail lifts off nail bed, making white band wider and irregular.
Solution: Consult a dermatologist who may either provide an anti-fungal cream or tablets or remove the infected nail.
Problem: Calluses
Signs: Thick, hardened layers of skin.
Solution: Moisturise regularly and wear socks to bed if you sleep in an air-conditioned room to prevent your feet from drying out further. Use a callus file in the shower.
Problem: Corns
Signs: Smaller than calluses and have a hard centre surrounded by inflamed skin.
Solution: Same treatment as calluses.
Problem: Plantar warts
Signs: A round or oval-shaped wart on the sole with a dark spot at its centre.
Solution: Caused by viruses, they are contagious and can be spread by walking barefoot in changing rooms. Consult a dermatologist who will either freeze the wart with liquid nitrogen or prescribe a solution to peel off the skin a little at a time.
NAIL STATIONS
A LITTLE PAMPERING
Manicures: 30 to 35 minutes. From $30 for basic - removal of cuticles, shaping, filing, buffing and shining, plus moisturising - to $60 for a customised manicure where nails are individually analysed and treated.
02-10 Balmoral Plaza, 271 Bukit Timah Road, Tel: 6735-4500
DAISY'S NAIL COTTAGE
Manicures: 20 to 30 minutes. From $30 to $80.
Pedicures: 30 to 45 minutes. From $40 to $85. There's also a spa range that costs $200 for a manicure and pedicure.
69A Killiney Road, Tel: 6738-0627
FAVE NAILS
Manicures: 15 to 60 minutes. From $20 for an express manicure - shaping and filing and a short massage - to $60 for a spa manicure.
Pedicures: 20 to 90 minutes. From $30 to $75.
05-10 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Tel: 6235-5015; 04-16 OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, Tel: 6536-6825; B1-08 CityLink Mall, 1 Raffles Link, Tel: 6341-9159
FLAIR NAILS & BEAUTY SERVICES
Manicures: 30 minutes to 11/4 hours. From $30 for basic to $55 for a spa manicure.
Pedicures: 35 minutes to 11/4 hours. From $40, to $85 for a spa pedicure.
Henry Park Apartments, 18 Holland Grove Road, Tel: 6468-3989
ISKIN
Manicures: 35 minutes; $32 including a scrub and hand massage.
Pedicures: 40 minutes; $42 including a light foot massage and foot scrub.
235A South Bridge Road, Tel: 6220-1255
NING SPA
Manicures: 30 to 50 minutes. From $35 for a basic manicure to $50 for a spa manicure.
Pedicures: 45 to 65 minutes. From $45 to $75.
09-00 MacDonald House, 40A Orchard Road, Tel: 6737-0303
O.P.I
Manicures: 30 to 60 minutes. From $25 for basic to $55 for a spa manicure.
Pedicures: 45 minutes to 11/4 hours. From $35 to $85.
02-26 Forum The Shopping Mall, Tel: 6736-1735; 01-07 The Ogilvy Centre, 35 Robinson Road, Tel: 6221-2213
STRIP
Manicures: 20 to 45 minutes. From $20 for an express manicure to $40 for a paraffin manicure.
Pedicures: 20 to 75 minutes. From $25 to $50.
20-01 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Tel: 6737-0201, 05-09 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, Tel: 6836-4874; 02-10 The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, Tel: 6732-9287
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