Manicure, Pedicure and Nail Care
Manicure, pedicure and nail care: anatomy guides technique
This domain tests nail structure, tool use, filing direction, cuticle care, contraindications and hygiene. Questions often ask what to do with a fungal nail or how to file correctly.
Core rules
- Nail plate, nail bed, matrix, lunula, eponychium and free edge are the key structures. The matrix produces the plate; damage there can cause permanent ridges.
- File in one direction from side to centre to reduce splitting. Use a fine file for natural nails; avoid over-filing the sides, which weakens the nail.
- Soften cuticles with soak or cuticle cream, push back gently with a rubber-tipped pusher, and nip only dead, loose tissue. Never cut live cuticle.
- Pedicure: soak 5-10 minutes, clean under the free edge, exfoliate, file callus gently, massage, moisturise, polish if requested.
- Do not treat fungal infections, paronychia, warts or open lesions; refer. Diabetic clients need extra caution with water temperature and sharp tools.
- Use single-use files, buffers and orange sticks; sterilise metal nippers and pushers.
Worked example
A client has thick heel callus but intact skin. Soak the feet, use a foot file gently in one direction, stop before the skin becomes red or raw, apply urea or rich moisturiser, and advise daily care. Reasoning: removing too much callus creates raw skin and infection risk; gradual reduction is safer.
Traps
- Cutting live cuticle.
- Filing back and forth vigorously.
- Sharing files without disinfection.
- Using a credo blade on a diabetic foot.
- Polishing over a suspected fungal infection.