Nail Technician flashcards
Nail Technician · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Disinfection
- Process using an EPA-registered hospital-grade product that destroys most bacteria, fungi, and viruses on nonporous surfaces and implements after cleaning.
- Porous implement
- Item such as a file, buffer, or wooden stick that absorbs liquids and cannot be reliably disinfected; it must be discarded after a single client.
- Contact time
- The number of minutes an implement must remain fully immersed in disinfectant, as specified on the product label, to achieve the stated kill claims.
- Sanitizing
- A lower-level process that reduces the number of bacteria on a surface to a safe level; it does not destroy all pathogens and does not replace disinfection of implements.
- One-direction filing
- Filing each side of the free edge from corner toward center in a single sweep, which prevents the splitting and peeling caused by back-and-forth sawing.
- Squoval nail shape
- A shape with straight parallel sidewalls and slightly rounded corners, combining the strength of a square nail with the softer look of an oval.
- Effleurage
- A light, gliding massage stroke applied with the palms and fingers in the direction of the heart, used to begin and end a hand or foot massage.
- Paraffin wax temperature
- Molten paraffin for hand or foot treatment is held near 125 degrees Fahrenheit; hotter wax risks burns and cooler wax sets before application.
- Apex
- The thickest point of an enhancement, located over the stress area near the free edge, providing strength where the nail bears the most force.
- Monomer
- The liquid component of acrylic systems, ethyl methacrylate, that reacts with polymer powder to form a hardened sculpted nail.
- Inhibition layer
- The tacky, uncured film left on the surface of a light-cured gel after curing; it is removed with a cleanser before finishing.
- Stress area
- The area at the tip of the nail where the free edge meets the nail bed; it receives the greatest mechanical stress and needs extra product strength.
- Lunula
- The whitish, half-moon area at the base of the nail plate; it is the visible portion of the matrix where nail cells are produced.
- Onycholysis
- Painless separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, often caused by trauma, aggressive cleaning under the free edge, or a fungal infection.
- Hyponychium
- The skin seal located under the free edge of the nail plate, which protects the nail bed from bacteria and debris.
- Paronychia
- Inflammation or infection of the skin around the nail, appearing red, swollen, and painful; the service must stop and the client referred.
- Informed consent
- The client's voluntary agreement to a service after being told what will be done, the products used, and the possible risks.
- Patch test
- Applying a small amount of product to the skin and waiting 24 to 48 hours to check for an allergic reaction before a full service.
- Open-ended question
- A question that cannot be answered with yes or no and encourages the client to describe needs, expectations, and preferences in detail.
- Scope of practice
- The legally defined set of services and techniques a licensed nail technician may perform; diagnosing or treating disease falls outside it.
- Safety Data Sheet
- A document supplied by the manufacturer listing a product's hazards, ingredients, first-aid measures, and safe handling requirements; it must be kept accessible.
- MMA monomer
- Methyl methacrylate, an industrial adhesive liquid banned for nail use in most states because it causes severe nail damage and allergic reactions.
- GFCI outlet
- A ground-fault circuit interrupter that shuts off power when it senses a current leak, required near water sources such as pedicure tubs.
- Local exhaust ventilation
- A suction system at the source, such as a nail dust collector, that captures airborne dust and vapor before it reaches the technician's breathing zone.
- Encapsulation
- Embedding glitter, lace, or dried flowers between layers of gel or acrylic so the design is sealed inside the enhancement and cannot lift.
- Stamping nail art
- A technique using a silicone stamper to transfer a design from an etched metal plate onto the nail after scraping off excess polish.
- Airbrush cleaning
- Flushing the airbrush with the manufacturer's solvent after every client prevents clogging and cross-contamination between clients.
- Ombré design
- A graduated color blend that fades from light to dark across the nail, usually created with a sponge, airbrush, or blended gel polish.
- Salon license
- A permit issued by the state board allowing a facility to operate; it must be posted publicly and renewed on the schedule the state requires.
- Booth rental
- A business arrangement in which a technician pays a fixed weekly or monthly fee to work in a salon and is treated as self-employed.
- Continuing education
- Required hours of approved training that licensees complete each renewal cycle to keep their license active and current in the state.
- Client record retention
- The state-set period, often several years, that a salon must keep intake forms and service records available for board inspection.