Nail Care, Manicuring, and Pedicuring
Structure and service
Review nail anatomy: plate, bed, matrix, lunula, eponychium, hyponychium, sidewalls, free edge. Manicuring follows consultation, sanitation, shaping, cuticle care, massage, and polish. File in one direction, corner to center, to avoid splitting; file dry natural nails rather than soaking-soft nails. Soften cuticles with product and push back gently - never cut living tissue; nip only a non-living hangnail. Pedicures add a foot bath, which must be drained, cleaned, and disinfected according to the manufacturer's instructions between clients.
Enhancements include tips, wraps, acrylics (liquid monomer plus powder polymer), and gels cured under UV or LED light. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is prohibited in Illinois. Implements must be cleaned and immersed in hospital-grade disinfectant after each client, and porous items are discarded.
Disorders and referral
Recognize and refer: onychomycosis (fungal), tinea pedis (athlete's foot), paronychia (bacterial infection around the nail), pseudomonas (green-black discoloration under the plate), onychocryptosis (ingrown nail), onycholysis (separation), leukonychia (white spots), onychorrhexis (splitting), koilonychia (spoon nail), and warts.
Traps
- Cutting the cuticle.
- Diagnosing a fungus instead of referring.
- Filing back and forth on the natural nail.
- Skipping foot spa disinfection.
- Using MMA products.
Rule of thumb
Push, do not cut; refer, do not diagnose - and if the discoloration does not grow out with the nail, it is not polish.