CO Nail Technician flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Disinfection
- A process using EPA-registered products that destroys most microorganisms, including many bacteria and viruses, on nonporous surfaces and implements; it does not kill bacterial spores.
- Sterilization
- The complete destruction of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, usually achieved in an autoclave with steam under pressure at about 250°F for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Porous implements
- Items such as nail files, buffers, wooden sticks, and cotton balls that cannot be reliably disinfected; they must be discarded after use on a single client.
- Hospital-grade tuberculocidal disinfectant
- An EPA-registered disinfectant labeled effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis; many states require it for implements that may have contacted blood or body fluids.
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- An OSHA-required document kept on site that lists a chemical product's hazards, safe handling instructions, first-aid measures, and spill procedures for employees.
- Universal precautions
- Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and using barriers such as gloves plus proper disinfection with every client, regardless of known health status.
- Eponychium
- The living skin at the base of the nail plate that overlaps the matrix; it should never be cut, only gently pushed back during a manicure.
- Effleurage
- A light, gliding massage stroke performed with the palms and fingers during hand or foot massage to warm tissue and promote relaxation.
- Squoval nail shape
- A nail shape with straight sides and slightly rounded corners that combines the strength of a square nail with the softer appearance of an oval.
- Sawing file motion
- Back-and-forth filing on natural nails separates the layers of keratin and causes the free edge to peel; file in one direction with a fine-grit file.
- Paraffin wax temperature
- Paraffin should be melted and held at about 125 to 130°F (52 to 54°C); test a drop on the technician's wrist before applying it to a client.
- Monomer and polymer
- The liquid monomer and powder polymer that, when mixed in the correct ratio, form an acrylic enhancement through a chemical reaction called polymerization.
- MMA monomer
- Methyl methacrylate is an acrylic liquid banned in many states because it causes severe allergic reactions and nail damage; licensed technicians should use EMA instead.
- UV gel curing
- Gel enhancements harden only under a UV or LED lamp; the manufacturer's specified cure time and lamp wattage must be followed or the gel will not fully set.
- Nail forms
- Reusable or disposable shields placed under the free edge to sculpt an extension with acrylic or gel when no artificial tip is used.
- Fill or rebalance appointment
- A maintenance service every two to three weeks that files down grown-out product, fills the new growth area, and reshapes the enhancement.
- Nail matrix
- The living area at the base of the nail where new cells are produced; damage here can cause permanent ridges, grooves, or a deformed nail plate.
- Lunula
- The whitish, half-moon-shaped area visible at the base of the nail plate; it is the portion of the matrix that shows through the nail.
- Onychomycosis
- A fungal infection of the nail plate and bed that causes thickening, discoloration, and crumbling; nail technicians must not treat it and should refer to a physician.
- Paronychia
- Inflammation or infection of the skin surrounding the nail, often caused by bacteria entering through a cut cuticle; it is a contraindication for service.
- Beau's lines
- Transverse grooves across the nail plate caused by a temporary interruption of nail growth from illness, trauma, or chemotherapy.
- Fingernail growth rate
- Fingernails grow about 1/8 inch (3 mm) per month and take four to six months to fully replace; toenails grow more slowly, taking 12 to 18 months.
- Base coat
- A clear product applied before polish to improve adhesion, prevent pigments from staining the nail plate, and smooth the surface for even color.
- Top coat
- A clear finishing product applied over polish to add gloss, seal in the color, and help protect the manicure from chipping.
- 3-free polish
- Nail polish formulated without toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), three ingredients associated with health and safety concerns.
- Airbrushing
- A nail art technique that sprays thinned color through a stencil using compressed air; equipment must be cleaned thoroughly between colors and clients.
- Cuticle oil
- A moisturizing blend, often jojoba or vitamin E based, applied to the eponychium and nail plate to hydrate skin and improve flexibility.
- Client consultation
- A pre-service conversation reviewing the client's health history, medications, allergies, nail condition, and expectations to identify contraindications and plan the service.
- Contraindication
- A condition such as an infection, open wound, or severe nail disease that makes a service unsafe; the technician should decline and refer the client for medical care.
- Patch test
- A small amount of product applied to the skin 24 to 48 hours before a full service to check whether the client is allergic to it.
- Scope of practice
- The legal limits of a nail technician's license, which cover cosmetic nail services and sanitation but exclude diagnosing or treating disease.
- Active listening
- A communication skill in which the technician gives full attention, restates the client's words, and asks clarifying questions to confirm understanding.