Manicuring and Pedicuring Services
The service sequence
Consult, wash hands, remove old product, shape, soak, soften and gently push the cuticle, nip only non-living tissue, massage, then base coat, polish, top coat. Pedicures add a lined foot basin, lukewarm water, a 5–10 minute soak, exfoliation, callus reduction with a paddle or rasp (never a credo blade), trimming straight across with corners lightly rounded, massage, and polish.
Technique details that get tested
Shape natural nails with a fine-grit file (roughly 180 grit or finer) using one-direction strokes from corner toward center; sawing back and forth creates splits. Shorten with a clipper, file to finish. Pushing the cuticle back should use a rubber-tipped pusher and light pressure. Electric files belong to artificial-product work and are never run on the natural plate at high speed. Massage strokes are toward the heart, avoided over redness, swelling, or broken skin. Tools, liners, and basins follow the disinfection rules from Domain 1.
Contraindications
Open cuts, sores, active infection, undiagnosed lumps, rashes, recent surgery, or diabetes with neuropathy or poor circulation call for a physician's clearance or no service. Never apply product over broken skin.
Traps
“Cut the cuticle” answers, back-and-forth filing, credo blades, reusing a basin without disinfection, soaking a client with a fungal infection, massaging over a red swollen toe, or trimming toenails into rounded corners that invite ingrowth.
Rule of thumb
File from corner toward center, and when skin is broken or angry-looking, do not touch it. Worked example: a pedicure client has a thickened, yellowed big toenail and flaking skin between toes. Stop, explain it looks like something a physician should see, do not soak or polish that foot, sanitize everything the foot contacted, and offer to reschedule with clearance.