Nail Technology: Anatomy, Disorders, and Safe Enhancements
This domain tests nail anatomy, disorders, manicure and pedicure safety, enhancement products, and implement disinfection. Questions often ask you to recognize a contraindicating condition or choose the correct sanitation step between clients.
Nail anatomy
- Nail plate: keratinized cells; matrix: produces the plate; cuticle: dead tissue seal; eponychium: living skin at the base; hyponychium: seal under the free edge; lunula: visible matrix.
- Fingernails grow about 3.5 mm per month; toenails grow slower. The nail plate is not living tissue; the matrix and surrounding skin are.
Service rules
- Do not cut living tissue. Push back cuticles gently; nip only a hangnail with disinfected nippers.
- Clean and disinfect implements between clients; discard porous items that cannot be disinfected. Use hospital-grade disinfectant at label contact time.
- Do not apply enhancements over lifted product, inflammation, or suspected infection. Refer clients with pain, pus, swelling, or dark streaks.
- Acrylics: polymer powder plus monomer liquid; gels cure under UV or LED. Follow manufacturer ratios; avoid skin contact with monomers.
Worked example
A client has green-black discoloration under an acrylic nail. Correct action: do not fill or cover it; remove the enhancement, disinfect tools, and refer to a physician because Pseudomonas or another infection may be present. Reasoning: covering the area traps moisture and bacteria and delays treatment; a cosmetologist cannot diagnose.
Traps
- Calling the cuticle living skin.
- Using MMA monomer where prohibited.
- Filling over a lifted nail.
- Treating fungal or bacterial infections cosmetically.