Mii collaborates with TPOT to make nail treatments more accessible to clients with cancer
In a bid to make the joys of nail treatments more accessible to clients living with cancer, Gerrard International brand Mii has partnered with The Power of Touch (TPOT) for a Mii Advanced Adapted Natural Nail Care Treatment course for therapists to treat clients living with cancer.
TPOT was founded by Michelle Hammond in 2013 as a result of in-depth research into the challenges of treating clients with cancer in UK and Irish spas and salons.
The course, which became available this month, is offered at two levels. Level one is a basic eight to 10-hour on-demand course. Level two requires the submission of three case studies within three months of completing level one, to build further knowledge and confidence in delivering treatments.
“By partnering with Michelle Hammond, a long-standing and highly regarded industry consultant and educator, and the TPOT education team, we’ve managed to create an on-demand, post-graduate learning module that we know will help our professional nail technicians and therapists feel more comfortable and confident in welcoming a client group that they might have otherwise turned away, or felt unequipped to support," said Samantha Kendrew, head of education, at Gerrard International.
We spoke to Hammond about how cancer affects the nails and the importance of the course, which was three years in the making.
Why was it important for you to do this partnership?
"When working with Samantha Kendrew to curate a new Mii Advanced Adapted Natural Nail Care Course, we knew we wanted to put our long-standing commitment to inclusivity and natural nail care centre forward. Mii is, after all, about you – who you are and who you choose to be, using colour to tell your story," said Hammond
How does cancer affect the nails?
"Cancer, and the clinical treatments of cancer particularly, can wreak havoc on the skin and nails. From skin dryness, increased sensitivity, and higher susceptibility to nail splitting, peeling and lifting, To conditions such as palmar-plantar syndrome, unwelcome changes can come thick and fast," added Hammond.
Why is it important to adapt services for clients with cancer?
"It is imperative that those living with cancer have access to high-quality natural nail care to support the changes that they are likely to experience and benefit from the professional insight, support and expertise of a qualified and insured nail care specialist. Macmillan’s latest research (2022) tells us that someone is diagnosed with cancer in the UK every 90 seconds. This makes it even more important to come together to ensure our spa and salon network feel readied and able to provide the most appropriate personalised and adapted treatments to meet each unique client’s needs," said Hammond.
What is included in the course?
"The course includes over 12 modules, starting off with a deep dive into cancer, the most common clinical treatments, all the associated precautions, red flags and side effects professionals might need to consider, modify and adapt for in their salon or spa treatment," said Hammond.
"The course also has a comprehensive section on how to personalise Mii treatment protocols and product selections specifically, alongside sections on communicating with confidence, carrying out effective consultations and even how to support clients outside of their treatment experience."
The course is available exclusively to Mii account holders and their teams at an introductory price of £79. A CPD certificate will be provided.