ID Nail Technician flashcards
ID Nail Technician · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Nail matrix
- Actively dividing tissue beneath the nail base that produces the nail plate; damage here causes permanent deformity, and the visible portion is the lunula.
- Eponychium
- The living skin fold at the base of the nail that seals the nail plate; technicians push it back gently and never cut living tissue.
- Hyponychium
- The skin seal beneath the free edge of the nail plate; it protects the nail bed from debris and infection and should not be probed deeply.
- Nail growth rate
- Fingernails grow about 3 mm per month and toenails about 1 mm per month; growth slows with age, illness, and cold weather.
- Disinfection
- A process using an EPA-registered hospital-grade product that destroys most pathogens on nonporous implements; it requires cleaning first and full contact time.
- Sterilization
- A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, on implements; it is required for tools that contact broken skin or blood.
- Single-use items
- Porous items such as files, buffers, wooden sticks, and cotton that cannot be reliably disinfected; they must be discarded after one client.
- Hand hygiene
- Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after each client and after glove removal; sanitizer is not a substitute for visible soil.
- Paronychia
- Inflammation or infection of the nail fold with redness, swelling, and possible pus; it is a contraindication and requires medical referral.
- Fungal nail infection
- A condition with thickened, crumbly, discolored nail plate; enhancement services must be postponed and the client referred to a physician.
- Acrylate allergy
- A sensitization reaction to uncured acrylates causing redness, itching, and lifting; once sensitized, the client must avoid that product class.
- Contraindication
- A condition that makes a service unsafe, such as infection, open wound, or severe inflammation; the technician refers rather than treats.
- Informed consent
- Documented client agreement after being told about the service, products, risks, and alternatives; it is part of the consultation record.
- Squoval shape
- A nail shape with a straight free edge and rounded corners; it reduces chipping compared with a sharp square and suits most lifestyles.
- One-direction filing
- Filing from sidewall to tip in a single direction rather than sawing back and forth; it reduces splitting and keeps the free edge sealed.
- Encapsulation
- Placing nail art, glitter, or dried flowers between clear product layers, then building and sealing so no air or moisture is trapped.
- Capping the free edge
- Running top coat or product over the tip of the free edge to seal the layers; it prevents lifting and chipping at the edge.
- Apex
- The thickest point of an enhancement at the stress area; it provides strength and should taper thin toward the cuticle and sidewalls.
- Mix ratio
- The proportion of liquid monomer to polymer powder; a medium-wet bead sets predictably, while too wet bubbles and too dry becomes brittle.
- EMA monomer
- Ethyl methacrylate, the standard professional acrylic liquid; it is preferred over MMA, which is restricted or banned for cosmetic nail use.
- Exothermic reaction
- The heat released as acrylic polymerizes; a large bead on the nail can burn, so use smaller beads or a cooler mix.
- Tip well
- The recessed area at the base of a nail tip that sits at the free edge; it must be sized sidewall to sidewall and blended flush.
- Wrap resin
- A cyanoacrylate adhesive used with silk, fiberglass, or linen wraps; it cures by moisture and must not contact skin.
- Overlay
- A thin, even layer of product over the natural nail to add strength without bulk; the apex sits at the stress area.
- Photoinitiator
- A compound in gel that absorbs UV or LED light and starts curing; the lamp wavelength must match the product for a full cure.
- Inhibition layer
- The tacky film left on cured gel after exposure to light; it is normal and is wiped with the manufacturer's cleanser.
- Hard gel
- A structural gel used to build enhancements with an apex; it does not soak off easily and is filed down for removal.
- SDS
- Safety Data Sheet required for every chemical in the salon; it lists hazards, first aid, handling, storage, and disposal under OSHA rules.
- Ventilation
- Airflow that removes monomer and solvent vapors; local exhaust or open windows reduce inhalation exposure in the salon.
- Flammable storage
- Acetone, alcohol, and monomer must be kept in closed, labeled containers away from ignition sources and heat.
- Idaho license renewal
- Idaho nail technologist licenses renew on a set cycle with a fee and continuing education; verify current hours and deadlines with the Board.
- Establishment license
- A salon registration separate from the individual license; services must be performed in a licensed facility or as the Board allows.