What procedure should be followed after a client has their nails polished?

After a client has their nails polished, allowing the nails to air dry completely is crucial. This ensures that the polish sets properly and adheres to the nail surface without smudging or denting, which can occur if the nails are disturbed or exposed to moisture before they are fully dry. Air drying also helps prevent any imperfections that may arise from improper handling of freshly polished nails.

While applying a top coat can enhance the longevity and shine of the nail polish, it is typically done before the polish fully dries, not immediately after the initial polish application. Washing hands right after polishing can introduce waterborne elements that may disrupt the adhesion of the polish, and using a UV lamp, while effective for certain gel polishes, is not a necessary or common practice for traditional polish drying, and not everyone uses UV lamps in their nail procedures. Thus, allowing the nails to air dry completely is the most appropriate step following nail polishing.