Cert III Nail Technology cheat sheet

Standard precautions apply to all clients regardless of perceived risk: hand hygiene before and after every service, gloves for any contact with blood or body fluids, and single-use implements where possible.

Disinfection kills most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces but does not necessarily destroy bacterial spores; sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores and is required for reusable implements that penetrate skin.

A disinfectant is only effective when used at the label dilution, contact time, and temperature; mixing disinfectants or reusing solutions beyond their stated life reduces efficacy.

The nail plate is composed of keratinized cells with a high sulfur content; it is non-porous and does not absorb water or products, so moisturizers affect the nail fold and surrounding skin, not the plate itself.

The visible pink nail bed lies over the dermis and contains blood vessels and nerves; the lunula is the visible portion of the matrix, and damage to the matrix permanently alters nail growth.

Contraindications requiring referral rather than service include paronychia, onychomycosis, psoriasis flare-ups, unexplained nail discoloration, and any open or weeping skin lesion.

Client consultation must document allergies, medications (especially anticoagulants and retinoids), previous reactions, occupation-related exposures, and the client's desired outcome before service begins.

Nail growth averages about 3 mm per month for fingernails and about 1 mm per month for toenails; complete fingernail replacement takes roughly 4 to 6 months, and toenails up to 12 months.

Ergonomic safety rules: keep wrists neutral, support the client's hand at elbow height, take micro-breaks every 30 to 45 minutes, and avoid sustained pressure on the ulnar nerve at the wrist.

Liquid-and-powder acrylic ratio: too wet a bead causes shrinkage and lifting; too dry a bead causes bubbles and weak structure; a properly saturated bead has a matte, non-runny consistency.

UV/LED gel curing: the photoinitiator absorbs light at the lamp's wavelength; under-curing leaves tacky, weak gel and increases allergy risk, so match lamp to product and replace bulbs per manufacturer schedule.

Lifting at the sidewalls is most often caused by improper cuticle removal, product contact with skin, or insufficient surface preparation (dehydrating and gentle etching of the natural plate).

Nail tip sizing rule: the tip should match the width of the natural nail at the free edge; a tip that is too wide or too narrow creates stress points and increases the risk of breakage.

Electric file safety: use a lower speed and finer bit around the cuticle and sidewalls; keep the bit moving, use light pressure, and never hold the bit on one spot, to prevent friction burns and plate thinning.

Monomer and polymer vapors are respiratory irritants; local exhaust ventilation at the workstation and nitrile gloves (not latex) reduce occupational exposure.

Sanitation of porous items (files, buffers, wooden sticks) is not possible to a safe standard; these are single-use or client-specific and must be discarded or labeled for one client only.

Patch testing is recommended at least 24 to 48 hours before the first application of a new enhancement product, especially for clients with known sensitive skin or prior reactions.