Manicure, Pedicure and Nail Care
Nail anatomy
The nail plate is keratin, resting on the nail bed. The matrix produces the plate, the lunula is the visible part of the matrix, the cuticle and eponychium seal the nail, the hyponychium sits under the free edge. The matrix determines thickness and shape, so damage there shows as ridges or dents. Fingernails grow about 3 mm a month.
Manicure and pedicure sequence
Sanitise your hands and the client's, then assess nails and skin for infection, cuts and bruising. Shape with a file in one direction, using finer grits on natural nails. Soak, with pedicure water comfortably warm and not hot, soften the cuticles, and push them back gently. Never cut live cuticle; trim only hangnails. Exfoliate, massage, apply a mask or paraffin if suitable, polish, and finish with cuticle oil.
Contraindications and red flags
Fungal infection with thickened, discoloured, crumbly nail, paronychia, warts, open cuts, uncontrolled diabetes with poor circulation, and recent surgery. Refer rather than treat.
Tools
Files and buffers are single-client or single-use. Nippers and pushers are cleaned and then disinfected. Footbath jets are cleaned and disinfected between clients, and towels are fresh per client.
Worked example
A client with diabetes asks for a pedicure with cuticle cutting. Reasoning: reduced sensation and slow healing raise infection risk. No cutting of cuticles, no sharp tools, water temperature checked by the therapist rather than the client, extra care with filing, and a recommendation to see their doctor for routine foot care.
Traps that cost marks
- Filing back and forth and splitting the free edge.
- Cutting the cuticle seal and opening the way to paronychia.
- Skipping footbath disinfection.