Nail Technician cheat sheet

Cleaning removes visible debris with soap and water; sanitizing reduces bacteria to a safe level; disinfecting uses an EPA-registered hospital-grade product to destroy most pathogens on nonporous surfaces; sterilization destroys all microbial life and is not performed in nail salons.

Implements must be scrubbed clean, rinsed, and dried before immersion; residual debris or standing water can inactivate the disinfectant.

Follow the label contact time exactly (often 10 minutes of full immersion for quats), and use test strips to confirm the correct concentration of the working solution.

Porous items - files, buffers, wooden sticks, foam toe separators, porous foot rasps - absorb liquids, cannot be reliably disinfected, and must be discarded or given to the client after one use.

Disinfectant solutions are changed per manufacturer instructions or sooner if visibly soiled or cloudy.

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after every client; an alcohol-based hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol.

Whirlpool pedicure tubs require draining, cleaning of the screen and jets with a low-foaming cleaner, and circulation of disinfectant through the system according to the label between clients.

If blood or body fluid is present, stop the service, don gloves, clean and disinfect every contacted surface, and seal contaminated disposables in a bag for proper disposal.

File natural nails in one direction, corner toward center, with a fine-grit file; back-and-forth sawing causes splitting and peeling.

Nippers are used only on a hangnail or loose skin above the free edge; cutting living tissue in the nail groove can cause infection.

The cuticle is thin dead tissue adhering to the nail plate; the eponychium is the living skin fold at the base and must not be cut.

Standard polish order is base coat, two thin color coats, then top coat; each coat must be dry before the next is applied.

Soak feet 5–10 minutes before a pedicure; reduce callus gradually with a rasp and never slice or shave callus with a blade.

Massage strokes are effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), and tapotement (tapping); avoid deep pressure over varicose veins, joints, and inflamed areas.

A nail plate dehydrator removes surface oil so polish adheres; it is applied before the base coat.

Paraffin for hand or foot treatment is maintained near 125 °F; hotter wax risks burns and cooler wax sets before application.

Nail tips are sized to the free edge and sidewalls; the well is adhered to the natural plate and the seam is blended flush with a buffer to prevent a visible ridge.

Acrylic ratio is judged by the bead: a medium-wet bead holds its shape; too wet causes shrinkage and lifting, too dry causes brittleness and poor adhesion.

MMA monomer is prohibited for nail use in most states; ethyl methacrylate (EMA) is the legal standard.

Acid-based primer (methacrylic acid) improves adhesion on oily nails but must not contact skin or be used on damaged or broken plates.

Gel products contain photoinitiators cured by UV or LED light; LED cures faster, and uncured gel must never contact skin because it raises allergy risk.

Zone 1 is the free edge, zone 2 the stress area where the apex is built, zone 3 the cuticle area; product is thinnest at zone 3 and thickest at the apex.

Wraps of silk, linen, or fiberglass are applied with resin, pressed smooth, and sealed; the activator cures the resin.

Removal requires soaking in acetone and gentle lifting; prying or forcing an enhancement tears layers from the nail plate.

The nail plate is composed of keratinized cells and contains no nerves or blood vessels; its pink appearance comes from vessels in the nail bed beneath.

The matrix produces nail plate cells; injury, pressure, or illness can create ridges, grooves, or Beau's lines that grow out with the nail.

Fingernails grow roughly 3–4 mm per month and fully replace in 4–6 months; toenails require about 9–12 months.

Key structures: nail bed, matrix, lunula, eponychium, cuticle, hyponychium, lateral nail folds, nail grooves, and free edge.

Onychomycosis (tinea unguium) presents as a thick, yellowed, crumbling nail; it is contagious and the client must be referred, not serviced.

Paronychia is inflammation or infection of tissue surrounding the nail, appearing red, swollen, and painful; stop the service and refer.

Onycholysis is separation of the plate from the bed without pain; when the cause is unknown or the area is inflamed, refer to a physician.

Skin layers are the epidermis, dermis (vessels, nerves, glands), and subcutaneous tissue; technicians work only on the plate and outer epidermis.

An intake form records medical history, medications, allergies, pregnancy status, and prior product reactions before the first service.

Patch test a new product 24–48 hours before full application and document the result in the client record.

Refer rather than diagnose: redness, swelling, pus, a dark streak, or unexplained discoloration means stopping the service and sending the client to a physician.

Diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and blood thinners increase infection risk and delay healing; proceed only with medical clearance or decline the service.

Open-ended questions plus paraphrasing confirm the client's expectations; a sample nail or photo settles shape, length, and color before work begins.

Client health information and records are confidential and are retained for the period the state board requires.

Ethical practice means charging the quoted price, disclosing ingredients on request, and never pressuring a client into add-on services.

Document the service performed, products used, and any reaction or referral in the client's record.

A Safety Data Sheet must be on file and accessible for every product in the salon, covering hazards, first aid, and handling requirements.

Acetone, polish remover, and resins are flammable; store them in a closed metal cabinet away from heat, flame, and sparks, and prohibit smoking in the salon.

Monomer is kept in a tightly capped dark container away from light and heat; contamination by dust, water, or old product causes discoloration and lifting.

Never pour solvents, monomer, or resin down the drain; dispose of them as directed by local hazardous-waste rules.

Electrical equipment near water requires GFCI protection; keep cords out of tubs and unplug equipment before cleaning.

Use nitrile gloves, eye protection, and a mask when mixing acrylic or working with aerosols, and use local exhaust or a dust collector at the source.

Ergonomic setup - adjusted table height, supported forearms, and scheduled breaks - reduces repetitive strain injuries.

An implement dropped on the floor must be cleaned and disinfected before it touches another client.

Order of work is base, then art medium, then top coat; each layer must be cured or dry before the next to prevent smearing.

Nonporous art tools (metal dotting tools, glass, metal stampers) can be cleaned and disinfected; porous sponges and wooden tools are single-use.

Encapsulation seals glitter, lace, or dried flowers between gel or acrylic layers so the design cannot lift or catch on clothing.

Airbrush equipment is flushed with the proper solvent after each client and the needle cleaned to prevent clogging and cross-contamination.

Stamping uses an etched plate, polish, a scraper, and a silicone stamper; excess polish in the grooves produces smeared images.

3D acrylic flowers and bows are sculpted on a form or tip, then attached with resin or a monomer-and-powder bond.

French, ombré, marble, chrome, and foil designs all require a smooth base and a thin, even top coat to seal the edges.

Nail art is never applied over broken skin, a lifted enhancement, or an infected nail.

An individual license is required for each person performing services and a separate license for the salon; both must be posted where clients can see them.

Only licensed technicians may perform nail services; unlicensed practice, and allowing it, are violations.

State board inspectors may enter and inspect a salon during business hours without advance notice.

Client records and service logs must be kept for the period set by the state board and produced on request during inspection.

Booth renters pay a fixed fee and are self-employed; commission and hourly workers are employees, with different tax and withholding obligations.

Continuing education hours are required for renewal; the number of hours and approved topics vary by state.

Sales tax applies to retail product sales, and in some states to services; technicians must follow their own state's rule.

Professional liability insurance covers injury and infection claims and is separate from the cosmetology license and general business permits.