In Japan, there is a tendency to find beauty in small, intricate things. There seems to be a historical and cultural foundation for finding beauty in small things. The beauty of reduction can be seen in the fasteners for hanging netsuke (inro) and trinket cases from obi belts from the Edo period. Reducing does not simply mean becoming smaller, but making something a little better than the original. The opposite of this is something that cannot be held in the hand, which is “too much to handle.” It is said that Japanese people have a strong tendency to love small things that can be touched (held) with the hand. This reduction is also said to be connected to modern Japanese key chain culture. And it seems that this trend of reduction is also emerging in the fields of fashion and cosmetics. This seems to be the cause of nail art and nail therapy.
One senior says, “Everyone wants to enjoy fashion even as they get older.” If you are a healthy senior, you can fulfill this desire anytime, anywhere. However, for seniors who are hospitalized due to illness or who enter nursing homes, it is difficult to easily go to beauty salons or salons. If there is demand, a business that supplies this service will be born. The Japan Health and Welfare Nail Tech Association (Osaka Prefecture) travels to elderly care facilities and hospitals to provide nail services. For hospitalized patients who can only easily go to salons, they provide nail services using manicures. Here, a slightly different consideration is required than for healthy seniors. Some people say that it is difficult to maintain the same posture for a long time, so it is necessary to finish quickly and neatly.
As the demand for nail services increases, the needs required within it will become more diverse. For example, there is a nail treatment for cancer patients whose nails have become discolored or easily cracked due to cancer drug treatment. Here, applying manicures not only hides the discolored nails, but also protects the nails. Patients seem to like the idea of making their fingers and nails look healthy and beautiful. In addition, patterns are also an important element for users. The most popular pattern among users seems to be “flowers.” You can enjoy seasonal changes through the different types of flowers, such as cherry blossoms in April and hydrangeas in the rainy season in June. Even if it is difficult to go outside, you can enjoy seasonal changes through the different types of flowers. With various ingenuity and consideration, fashionable nails seem to lift your spirits. Currently, nail care for seniors is becoming more widespread.
