MD Nail Technician flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Cleaning vs disinfection

Cleaning removes visible debris and many germs with soap and water; disinfection uses an EPA-registered product to destroy most pathogens on nonporous surfaces after cleaning.

Sterilization definition

Sterilization destroys all microorganisms including bacterial spores on an object; it is not the same as disinfection and requires validated equipment such as an autoclave.

Single-use nail items

Porous or difficult-to-clean items such as wooden sticks, cotton, and some files are used once and discarded; they cannot be reliably disinfected for another client.

Blood exposure steps

Stop the service, put on gloves, clean the wound, disinfect contaminated implements and surfaces, and dispose of blood-contaminated materials according to bloodborne pathogen rules.

Nail matrix function

The nail matrix is living tissue at the base of the nail that produces new nail plate cells; damage to the matrix can cause permanent nail deformity.

Nail plate composition

The nail plate is made mainly of keratinized cells; it has no nerve endings or blood supply, so trimming the free edge is painless.

Skin barrier layers

The epidermis is the outer barrier, the dermis contains blood vessels and nerves, and subcutaneous tissue cushions underlying structures; breaks in the barrier increase infection risk.

Acrylic polymerization

Acrylic enhancements form when liquid monomer and powder polymer are mixed; the monomer wets the polymer and polymerization hardens the bead into a plastic nail coating.

Manicure service order

A basic manicure typically proceeds from consultation and hand washing to nail shaping, cuticle care, massage, polish application, and client home-care instructions.

Natural nail filing rule

File natural nails with a fine-grit file in one direction along the free edge; sawing back and forth can split layers and weaken the nail plate.

Cuticle care safety

Push back only the dead cuticle tissue; avoid cutting living eponychium or sidewalls because cuts can cause pain, bleeding, and infection.

Pedicure tub sanitation

After each pedicure, drain the tub, clean all surfaces, and apply an EPA-registered disinfectant for the label contact time before the next client.

Tip blending purpose

Blending the tip seam with the natural nail removes a ridge and reduces lifting; over-blending can thin the natural plate and cause damage.

Acrylic bead ratio

A correct acrylic bead has enough liquid to wet the powder without being runny; too-wet beads shrink and lift, while too-dry beads are brittle.

Gel curing requirement

Gel enhancements must be cured in a UV or LED lamp matched to the product; under-curing leaves a tacky, weak coating and increases allergy risk.

Wrap resin application

Fabric wraps are applied with resin or glue over a prepared nail, then trimmed and smoothed; thin layers prevent bulk and lifting.

Crack repair wrap

A small crack can be stabilized with a silk or fiberglass wrap and resin after cleaning; deep cracks or nail bed injury should be referred.

Paraffin wax safety

Paraffin wax is heated until liquid but must be tested on the therapist's wrist before application; it is avoided on open wounds or inflamed skin.

Nail drill bit rule

Use a fine-grit bit at low speed on natural nails and keep the bit moving; pressure or long contact can burn or groove the nail plate.

French manicure design

A French manicure uses a sheer pink or nude base with a white free edge; the smile line should follow the natural free edge.

Client health history

A health history records allergies, medications, skin conditions, and prior nail reactions; it helps identify contraindications before a service.

Informed consent

Informed consent means explaining the service, risks, alternatives, and aftercare, then documenting the client's voluntary agreement before starting.

Active listening skill

Active listening uses open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and clarifying to confirm the client's meaning and expectations without interrupting.

Confidentiality duty

Client health and personal information must be kept private and shared only as needed for service or as required by law.

Service price formula

A service price should cover direct labor, supplies, overhead such as rent and utilities, and a profit margin; underpricing can cause a business to lose money.

Par level inventory

A par level is the minimum quantity of a product kept on hand; when stock reaches it, the item is reordered to avoid running out.

No-show policy

A written no-show policy states fees or deposit rules for missed appointments and is explained before booking so clients can agree.

Employee vs contractor

An employee is controlled by the salon and receives a wage; an independent contractor controls how work is done and usually supplies tools and sets hours.

Maryland salon permit

Maryland requires a salon offering cosmetology or nail services to hold a Board-issued salon permit; the permit is displayed at the establishment.

Maryland license display

A Maryland nail technician license must be available for inspection at the work location, and licensees must practice only within the scope of their license.

Maryland Board authority

The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists regulates cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians; it issues licenses, inspects salons, and enforces sanitation and practice rules.

Infection referral rule

If a client has an infected, inflamed, or open skin area, the nail technician must not perform the service and should refer the client to a physician.