Nail Care and Skin Care Services
Nail anatomy and services
- The nail plate sits on the nail bed; the matrix produces the plate; the lunula is the visible matrix; the cuticle is nonliving tissue at the base; the eponychium is living skin; the hyponychium is under the free edge.
- Do not cut living tissue or dig under the free edge. Pusher work should be gentle and limited to nonliving tissue.
- Manicure and pedicure safety: clean and disinfect implements, use single-use files and buffers, disinfect foot baths per label, and never share porous items without proper processing.
- Onychomycosis is fungal; paronychia is bacterial inflammation; onycholysis is separation; green discoloration under acrylic may indicate Pseudomonas. Refer infected or inflamed nails; do not service.
Skin care
- Skin has epidermis and dermis; Fitzpatrick types I–VI describe sun response. Skin types include oily, dry, combination, and sensitive; skin pH is about 4.5–5.5.
- Facial sequence: cleanse, analyze, exfoliate as appropriate, extract only with training, mask, moisturize, and apply SPF.
- Massage contraindications include fever, contagious disease, inflammation, recent surgery, and varicose veins.
- Waxing contraindications include isotretinoin, retinoids, recent peels, sunburn, and irritated skin; patch test.
Worked example
A client with an acrylic enhancement has green-black discoloration and a tender nail fold. Reasoning: this suggests infection or Pseudomonas, not a stain to cover. Do not remove the enhancement and proceed; refer to a physician, discard porous items, and disinfect reusable tools. Serving the client risks spread and harm.
Traps that cost marks
Cutting the cuticle; reusing a file; treating an infected nail; massaging over inflamed or varicose areas; waxing a client on retinoids; confusing eponychium with cuticle.