New research suggests that nail care, whether performed in a salon or at home, can boost positive emotions and relaxation in women. The depth of personal sharing during manicure appointments also influenced these psychological effects. The study was published in Frontiers of Psychology.
People have long been looking for ways to improve their appearance and the beauty industry has capitalized on this desire. Makeup is a must-have in this quest for beauty, with numerous studies showing how it can improve physical attractiveness. But what about nail care? While the effects of makeup on attractiveness and psychological well-being have been widely studied, nail care has received much less attention.
The motivation behind this study came from the growing popularity of nail care and limited scientific exploration of its psychological effects. The researchers wanted to understand the impact of this beauty ritual on the emotions, relaxation and general well-being of individuals.
“I became interested in this topic because of the growing body of research on the intersection of self-care practices and their impact on mental well-being,” said study author Atsushi Kawakubo, associate professor at Saitama Gakuen University. “The idea that something as seemingly simple as salon nail care, combined with self-disclosure, could have a significant psychological effect intrigued me. I wanted to explore the potential of this little-studied area.
“Today, an increasing number of people are interested in nail care in addition to makeup. This is partly because while many studies have explored the psychological effects of makeup, there are relatively few studies on nail care. »
To further explore the psychological effects of nail care, researchers conducted an online survey of Japanese women from different age groups and regions. A total of 500 Japanese women participated in the study, aged 20 to 30 years old. All participants lived in metropolitan areas and completed the survey using smartphones or computers.
The survey collected information on participant demographics, such as age, residence, marital status, household income, and monthly cosmetics spending. Additionally, participants were asked about their nail care habits, including whether they frequented nail salons, applied nail care themselves, or did neither. ‘other.
To assess the psychological effects of nail care, the researchers developed a series of questions based on items used to measure the psychological effects of makeup in previous studies. Participants were asked to rate the extent to which they experienced various emotions and attitudes during a typical nail care session. Items were measured on a four-point scale, ranging from “not at all” to “very much.”
The study also explored the depth of self-disclosure in nail salons, which is a unique feature of nail care compared to makeup. Using a scale developed by previous researchers, participants who received nail care from salon manicurists were asked to indicate the extent to which they discussed topics related to hobbies, everyday life, difficult experiences, disadvantages, weaknesses and negative personality traits with manicure. These questions were rated on a seven-point scale.
Similar to makeup, nail care has positive psychological effects on individuals. Participants reported experiencing increased positive emotions, relaxation, and vitality during nail care sessions. This suggests that nail care may help improve emotional well-being and relaxation, similar to the effects of makeup.
The research found that people who received nail care services from salon manicurists reported more significant positive emotions and greater relaxation compared to those who applied their nail care themselves. This finding highlights the potential benefits of visiting a nail salon, as the experience appears to have a more substantial impact on an individual’s mood and relaxation.
The depth of self-disclosure during nail care appointments has been found to influence psychological effects. Superficial self-disclosure, including discussions about hobbies and daily life, was positively associated with increased positive emotions, relaxation, and revitalization. However, deeper self-disclosure, particularly regarding negative personality traits and difficulties, had a negative impact on some psychological outcomes. This suggests that the effectiveness of self-disclosure during nail care depends on its depth and content.
“Our research suggests that practicing salon nail care, coupled with light self-disclosure, can provide a positive boost to psychological state,” Kawakubo told PsyPost. “This practice offers individuals a concrete way to promote their mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of self-care and the potential benefits of sharing personal thoughts in a comfortable setting. »
But this study, like all research, has certain limitations. It did not include a control group, making direct comparison difficult. Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data and causality cannot be established from the results.
The study focused on a specific demographic of Japanese women in metropolitan areas, and the results may not be generalized to other populations or cultures. Future research could explore the impact of nail care on different demographics and consider experimental designs to establish causality.
“While our study provides valuable information, it is essential to remember that individual responses to salon nail care and self-disclosure may vary,” Kawakubo noted. “Further research should explore the long-term effects and specific mechanisms by which these activities affect mental health. »
“We also need to take into account potential confounding variables and differences between various populations. Given that this study focused exclusively on Japanese subjects, it is important to recognize that there could be variations in the results when applied to other cultural contexts.
“In contemporary times, a growing number of men and women are showing a growing interest in beauty, with an increasing number of individuals indulging in the practice of nail art,” Kawakubo added. “Although this study focuses exclusively on women, we intend to conduct future research that also includes men.”
Despite these limitations, the results prove that beauty rituals such as nail care can have a positive impact on our psychological well-being.
“I would like to emphasize the importance of self-care practices in our rapidly changing world,” Kawakubo said. “Engaging in activities that allow individuals to relax, reflect and reveal themselves can be a valuable part of maintaining good mental health. It is also crucial to consider the cultural and individual factors that may influence the effectiveness of these practices.
The study, “Salon nail care with superficial self-disclosure revitalizes the psychological state”, was written by Atsushi Kawakubo Takashi Oguchi.
