CT Nail Technician flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Tuberculocidal disinfectant

An EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant that kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is required for salon implements; it must be mixed at label dilution and left for the full contact time.

Single-use implements

Items such as emery boards, orange sticks, and cotton that are porous and cannot be disinfected; they must be discarded after one client and never reused.

Sterilization versus disinfection

Sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores, using an autoclave or FDA-cleared sterilant; disinfection kills most pathogens on surfaces but not spores.

Blood exposure steps

Stop the service, glove, clean the wound, apply pressure, disinfect the area, discard contaminated porous items, wash hands, and document the incident per employer policy.

Nail matrix

The tissue at the base of the nail that produces the nail plate; damage to the matrix permanently distorts nail growth, so it is never filed or probed.

Eponychium versus cuticle

The eponychium is the living proximal nail fold that seals the nail; the cuticle is non-living residue on the plate. Only the residue is gently removed, never cut.

Nail growth rate

Fingernails grow about 3 mm per month and toenails about 1 mm per month; a fingernail replaces in four to six months and a toenail in nine to twelve.

Lunula

The whitish half-moon at the base of the nail, which is the visible portion of the matrix; it appears pale because the plate is thicker there over the matrix.

One-direction filing

Filing from sidewall to tip in a single direction with a medium-grit file; sawing back and forth splits nail plate layers and causes peeling and splitting.

Pedicure contraindications

Conditions such as diabetes with neuropathy, circulatory disease, open lesions, and fungal infection that require referral rather than pedicure service.

Effleurage

A massage stroke using light, gliding pressure in the direction of blood flow toward the heart; it begins and ends a hand or foot massage.

Contraindication

A condition or circumstance that makes a service unsafe, such as inflammation, infection, or an undiagnosed lesion; the technician refers instead of treating.

Tip well blending

Reducing the tip's well so it sits flush with the natural nail; a ridge left at the well catches on tools and causes lifting and visible bumps.

Stress area

The junction where the free edge meets the nail plate, which flexes most; product there must be thick enough to resist breaks.

Liquid-to-powder ratio

The monomer-to-polymer proportion, judged by a bead that holds shape without running; too wet causes shrinkage, too dry causes brittleness.

Fabric wrap

A fiberglass or silk strip bonded with resin over the nail plate; thin resin and a capped free edge prevent yellowing and lifting.

Enhancement removal

Soaking in acetone or manufacturer remover until the product softens; prying or forcing product off removes layers of the natural nail plate.

Gel polish curing

Gel polish hardens only under a UV or LED lamp for the manufacturer's cure time; it does not air-dry, and under-curing causes peeling and sensitization.

Complementary colors

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green or blue and orange; they create strong contrast in nail art design.

French manicure smile line

The curved boundary between the white tip and the pink nail bed; it should be thin, even, and follow the natural curve of the nail.

Top coat cap

A thin stroke of top coat sealed over the free edge of the nail; it prevents chipping and extends the wear of polish and nail art.

Monomer

The liquid methacrylate component of acrylic systems; EMA is the preferred type, while MMA is banned in many states for its hardness and removal difficulty.

Polymer powder

Polymethyl methacrylate powder containing benzoyl peroxide; the initiator starts curing when the powder is mixed with liquid monomer.

Safety Data Sheet

A manufacturer document listing a product's hazards, first aid, handling, and storage; a sheet must be available for every product in the salon.

Allergic contact dermatitis

A red, itchy reaction from overexposure to monomer or gel, sometimes with nail lifting; the technician stops use and refers the client to a physician.

Informed consent

Explaining the procedure, products, risks, and aftercare and obtaining the client's agreement before service; it is documented in the client record.

Scope of practice

The legally permitted services of a nail technician, which include manicuring, pedicuring, enhancements, and nail art but not diagnosis or medical treatment.

Confidentiality

Keeping client records, health information, and personal details private; they are not shared or discussed outside the salon without the client's permission.

Referral duty

Directing a client with a suspected infection or disease to a physician or dermatologist instead of diagnosing or treating the condition.

Connecticut DPH

The Connecticut Department of Public Health, the agency that licenses nail technicians and salons and enforces the state's cosmetology and nail technology regulations.

Salon establishment license

A current license required for the salon itself; a licensed nail technician may practice only in a licensed establishment or approved setting.

License display

The requirement that the technician's license be displayed in the salon and proof of licensure carried while working; practice without a license is prohibited.

Truthful advertising

Salon advertising must be accurate and may not claim cures, imply DPH endorsement, or use a professional title without holding the corresponding license.