OK Nail Technician flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Disinfection
- A process using an EPA-registered hospital-grade product that destroys most pathogenic organisms on nonporous implements after cleaning; contact time follows the label, commonly ten minutes.
- Sterilization
- A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, on implements; it is required for items that penetrate skin and is stronger than disinfection.
- Single-use porous items
- Buffers, emery boards, orange sticks, and cotton that cannot be disinfected adequately are discarded after one client and never reused on another person.
- Blood exposure procedure
- Stop the service, don gloves, clean the area, disinfect or discard contaminated implements, and document the incident under OSHA bloodborne-pathogen rules.
- Nail matrix
- The living tissue at the base of the nail that produces the nail plate; damage here causes ridges, pitting, and permanent shape changes.
- Nail growth rate
- Fingernails grow about 3 mm per month and toenails about 1 mm per month; a fingernail fully replaces in roughly four to six months.
- Eponychium versus cuticle
- The eponychium is living skin at the nail base; the cuticle is dead tissue on the plate. Only cuticle is trimmed, never living eponychium.
- Onychomycosis
- A fungal nail infection showing thickened, yellow-brown, crumbling nails; it is a contraindication for service and requires referral to a physician.
- Paronychia
- A bacterial infection of tissue around the nail with redness, swelling, and pain; the technician must not perform services and should refer the client.
- Onycholysis
- Painless separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, often from trauma or harsh chemicals; the gap traps moisture and raises infection risk.
- Filing direction
- File from corner to center in one direction with light pressure; back-and-forth sawing splits and peels the free edge.
- Pedicure basin care
- Whirlpool basins are drained and cleaned after each client, then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade product; water is never reused.
- Cuticle nipper use
- Nippers remove only thin dead cuticle with the client's consent; cutting living eponychium causes inflammation and invites infection.
- Acetone versus non-acetone
- Acetone removes polish and dissolves acrylic and gel but dries the plate and is flammable; non-acetone remover is gentler and slower.
- Tip sizing rule
- Select the tip that matches the sidewall width without pressure; an oversized tip overlaps skin and lifts, an undersized tip leaves a ledge.
- Wrap overlay
- A silk, linen, or fiberglass fabric bonded with resin to strengthen the natural nail; a wrap adds strength but not length.
- Tip blending
- Sanding the tip seam flush with the natural plate removes the ledge that would otherwise trap moisture and cause lifting.
- Monomer and polymer
- The acrylic system pairs liquid monomer (EMA) with polymer powder; a bead of about 1.5 parts powder to 1 part liquid holds its shape.
- Acrylic bead consistency
- A wet bead runs into the cuticle and lifts; a dry bead is stringy and sets too fast. The correct bead is smooth and workable.
- Stress area
- Zone 2, the middle of the nail near the free edge, where acrylic is built slightly thicker; the cuticle and sidewalls stay thin.
- Exothermic polymerization
- Acrylic sets by a chemical reaction that releases heat; the surface hardens in minutes, but full cure continues about 24 hours.
- Acrylic removal
- File down the bulk, then soak in acetone or the manufacturer's remover until soft; never pry or force the enhancement off the plate.
- Gel light matching
- A gel cures only under the wavelength and intensity its photoinitiator requires; UV gels need UV output and LED gels need a matched LED lamp.
- Inhibition layer
- The tacky uncured surface left on gel after curing; it is removed with cleanser before the next layer or at the end, per the system.
- Gel polish removal
- Break the top seal with a file, wrap in acetone-soaked cotton and foil for the labeled time, then gently push off softened product.
- Soft versus hard gel
- Soft gel is flexible and removed by soaking; hard gel is stronger, used for extensions, and removed by filing.
- Consultation record
- A written intake covering allergies, medications, service history, and desired result; it supports safe service decisions and continuity.
- Informed consent
- The client's agreement to a service after being told the products, risks, and alternatives; required before cuticle trimming and enhancements.
- Scope of practice
- A nail technician may beautify nails but may not diagnose disease, prescribe, or perform medical treatment; suspected conditions are referred.
- Client confidentiality
- Health information, records, and photos are kept private and shared only with written permission, except where law requires disclosure.
- Oklahoma licensure
- Nail technicians must hold a current Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology and Barbering license, earned through approved training hours and state exams.
- Board inspection authority
- The state board may inspect licensed shops and investigate complaints, and may impose fines, suspension, or revocation for violations.