Manicuring, Pedicuring, and Nail Care Services
This domain tests safe service sequence, implement handling, and foot care judgment. Expect questions on filing, cuticle care, callus reduction, massage, and basin sanitation.
Core rules
- Begin with consultation, hand washing, and inspection. Remove polish, shape with a fine-grit file using controlled strokes, and avoid filing into the sidewalls or thinning the plate.
- Use cuticle softener and a gentle pusher; do not cut living tissue. Trim only hangnails or clearly nonliving tags with proper nippers.
- Pedicure: use a single-use liner, disinfect the basin after every client, and avoid credo blades on living tissue. Reduce calluses gently; do not aggressively shave tissue.
- Massage contraindications include known clots, fractures, infections, and undiagnosed swelling. Use effleurage and petrissage with appropriate pressure.
- Diabetes, neuropathy, and poor circulation are referral triggers for aggressive pedicure work; obtain clearance and use gentle abrasion only.
Worked example
A client with diabetes asks you to cut thick calluses with a credo blade. Reasoning: neuropathy and poor circulation raise infection and ulcer risk. Do not use a blade. Refer to a podiatrist or proceed only with medical clearance and gentle exfoliation.
Traps
Cutting cuticles, reusing files, skipping basin disinfection, and soaking until skin macerates are common errors. Also do not massage an undiagnosed hot, swollen area.