AK Nail Technician cheat sheet

Disinfection destroys most pathogens on nonporous implements; sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores.

Hospital-grade disinfectants must carry an EPA registration number and be used at the label's contact time (often 10 minutes).

Porous items (buffing blocks, wooden sticks, nail files) cannot be reliably disinfected and must be discarded after single use.

Implements must be cleaned with soap and water before immersion in disinfectant; organic debris inactivates many disinfectants.

Blood and body-fluid spills require gloves plus an EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant or a 1:10 bleach-to-water solution.

Hand washing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds is required before and after each client service.

Single-use items (cotton, orangewood sticks, toe separators) are never reused between clients.

Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be kept on site for every chemical product used in the salon.

Nail plate rests on the nail bed; the free edge extends beyond the hyponychium; the matrix produces the nail plate.

The eponychium is living skin at the base of the nail; the cuticle is the dead tissue on the nail plate itself.

The lunula is the visible portion of the matrix and appears whitish because of incomplete keratinization.

Onychomycosis (fungal infection) is a disease and must be referred to a physician; do not service the affected nail.

Paronychia is inflammation/infection of the tissue around the nail; it may be bacterial and requires medical referral.

Onychorrhexis is split or brittle nails; onychauxis is thickening; onychophagy is bitten nails; onychocryptosis is an ingrown nail.

A bruised nail (subungual hematoma) with severe pain or infection signs should be referred to a physician.

Nail growth averages about 1/8 inch (3 mm) per month on fingers and slower on toes, roughly 1 mm per month.

Basic manicure sequence: shape, soak/soften, cuticle care, massage, polish.

Shape nails from the corners toward the center for square/oval; use a fine-grit file for natural nails at 180 grit or higher.

Never file back and forth across the nail plate; use one-direction strokes to reduce splitting.

Cuticle nippers remove only hangnails or loose cuticle; they never cut living tissue.

Pedicure soaking time is limited (usually 5–10 minutes) to prevent skin maceration; water must be changed between clients.

Implement trays must be disinfected between clients; foot baths require EPA-registered disinfectant and full drain-and-clean.

Massage strokes follow the muscle direction and are contraindicated over inflamed, broken, or infected skin.

Polish application: base coat, two thin color coats, top coat; dry time is shortened by thin coats, not thick ones.

Nail tips are pre-formed plastic extensions glued to the free edge; blend the seam with a file to hide it.

Fabric wraps use silk, linen, or fiberglass with resin/glue; resin must cure fully before filing.

Sculptured nails are built with monomer liquid plus polymer powder (acrylic) or UV/LED-cured gel.

The correct liquid-to-powder ratio for acrylic is a workable bead; too wet causes shrinkage and lifting, too dry causes brittleness.

Primer improves adhesion on the natural nail plate; excess primer can cause sensitivity and must be used sparingly.

Overfiling the natural nail plate during prep causes thinning, lifting, and green discoloration (Pseudomonas).

Nail tips should be sized to cover the free edge without overlapping sidewalls; file the well to fit the nail.

Removal of acrylic requires soaking in acetone; never pry or force product off the natural nail.

pH scale: 0–14; below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic; skin and nails prefer mildly acidic products (about pH 4.5–5.5).

Acrylic monomer is typically ethyl methacrylate; it is flammable and must be stored away from heat and open flame.

Catalysts (benzoyl peroxide) in polymer powder speed up acrylic curing; accelerators (spray) speed surface drying.

Gel polish cures only under UV/LED light; it will not air-dry.

Acetone dissolves acrylic and gel; non-acetone removers (ethyl acetate) work on polish but not acrylic.

Implements: nippers, cuticle pushers, and files are disinfected or discarded; metal tools must be cleaned before disinfection.

Mixing different brands of monomer and polymer can cause service breakdown and is not recommended.

SDS documents list hazards, first aid, and safe handling for each chemical product.

Consultation covers medical history, allergies, medications, prior nail services, and client goals before service.

Contraindications (open wounds, fungal infection, severe paronychia) require postponing service and referral.

Informed consent is documented when a client declines a recommended precaution or requests a contraindicated service.

Confidentiality: client records and health information are not shared without consent.

Scope of practice: nail technicians do not diagnose or treat disease; refer suspected conditions to a physician.

Professional boundaries include not discussing other clients and not making disparaging remarks about other salons.

Communication should be clear, nonjudgmental, and documented in the client record after each service.

Ethical pricing and honest product disclosure build trust; upselling must never be coercive.

Alaska nail technician licensure is administered by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers under the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.

A license must be posted or available at the work location; practicing without a current license is prohibited.

Continuing education and license renewal cycles are set by the Board; verify current renewal period and hours before renewing.

Salon owners must maintain sanitation standards, SDS records, and disinfection logs as required by Board regulation.

Only licensed individuals may perform nail services for compensation; apprentices work under a licensed supervisor.

Board rules prohibit performing services on infected or diseased nails and require referral to a physician.

Advertising must not be false or misleading; license number may be required on advertisements per Board rule.

Complaints are filed with the Division; the Board may discipline licenses for sanitation or scope violations.

Retail profit margin = (retail price − cost) ÷ retail price; track it separately from service revenue.

Service pricing must cover product cost, labor time, overhead, and a target profit margin.

Employment classifications (employee vs. independent contractor) affect taxes, insurance, and scheduling control.

Booth renters typically pay a fixed rent and manage their own taxes; employees receive wages and employer withholding.

Inventory control uses par levels and first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation to reduce waste and expired product.

Client retention metrics (rebooking rate, average ticket) drive revenue more than one-time discount promotions.

Recordkeeping includes daily sales, product usage, and client cards; retain records per tax and Board requirements.

Marketing must comply with truth-in-advertising; before/after images require client consent.