PA Nail Technician flashcards
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31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Nail plate
- The hard, translucent keratin structure covering the distal phalanx; its visible body, proximal root, and free edge are produced by the matrix beneath the proximal nail fold.
- Nail matrix
- The living tissue at the proximal end of the nail beneath the proximal fold that produces new nail plate cells; injury to it can permanently distort nail growth.
- Eponychium
- The living fold of skin at the proximal nail edge that seals the nail unit; it is not cut during a manicure, though loosened dead cuticle may be trimmed.
- Cuticle
- The thin, dead layer of skin adhering to the nail plate near the proximal fold; it is softened and pushed back, and only loose portions are trimmed.
- Squoval nail shape
- A shape with straight sides and gently rounded corners that combines the strength of a square nail with reduced corner snagging; suited to most natural nails.
- One-direction filing
- Filing from each side toward the center with a fine-grit file to avoid heat buildup and layer separation caused by back-and-forth sawing on natural nails.
- Paronychia
- Redness, swelling, and tenderness of the tissue around the nail, often bacterial; a nail technician must not perform services over it and should refer the client.
- Onychomycosis
- A fungal infection producing thickened, discolored, crumbly nail plates; it is a contraindication to nail services and requires medical treatment, not cosmetic products.
- Pseudomonas discoloration
- A green-black stain on the nail plate caused by bacterial infection, often after moisture is trapped under an enhancement; the enhancement is removed and the client referred.
- Acrylic bead ratio
- The proportion of liquid monomer to polymer powder; a balanced bead is smooth and workable, while wet beads shrink and lift and dry beads are brittle and cloudy.
- Gel inhibition layer
- The tacky, uncured surface remaining after gel curing, which is wiped away with cleanser; it is not a defect and should not be left on the finished service.
- Primer application
- A bonding agent applied thinly to the natural nail plate only, never to skin or cured product, to improve adhesion of nail enhancements.
- Disinfection
- The process that destroys most pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces and implements using an EPA-registered hospital-grade product for the label's stated contact time.
- Sterilization
- A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores; it is required for implements that penetrate or break the skin.
- Clean before disinfect
- Implements must be scrubbed with soap and water to remove debris before soaking in disinfectant, because organic matter inactivates the disinfecting solution.
- Single-use items
- Porous or wooden items such as files, buffers, and orange sticks that cannot be reliably disinfected and are discarded after one client.
- EPA-registered disinfectant
- A product registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and labeled bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal; it is used at the dilution and contact time on its label.
- Universal precautions
- Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and using gloves and barriers accordingly, regardless of any known diagnosis.
- Hand hygiene sequence
- Washing hands with soap and water before and after each client and after glove removal; sanitizer is used only when hands are not visibly soiled.
- Blood spill procedure
- Stop the service, wear gloves, cleanse and bandage the area, then disinfect all contacted surfaces and implements with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant per label directions.
- Safety Data Sheet
- A document supplied with each chemical product describing hazards, handling, and first aid; it must be kept available in the salon.
- Flammable storage
- Acetone, polish remover, and aerosols are kept in closed containers away from heat and ignition sources, with no open flames at the work station.
- Covered implement storage
- After cleaning and disinfection, implements are kept in a clean, covered container to prevent contamination before the next client.
- Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
- The board within the Department of State that licenses and regulates cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, and salons and may inspect salons and impose discipline.
- Nail technician licensure
- Requires completion of an approved nail technology program, passing the practical and theory examinations, and filing an application with the required fee.
- License display
- A current license must be displayed in a conspicuous place at the work station or in the salon, and services may be performed only in a licensed setting.
- Salon license
- A salon must hold and display a current salon license and have a designated licensee responsible for compliance; ownership, name, or location changes require notice.
- Biennial renewal
- Pennsylvania cosmetology-related licenses renew every two years on the Board's cycle; continuing education hours and subjects must be confirmed for the current cycle.
- Board inspections
- Board or Department inspectors may examine salons and records; sanitation violations can lead to fines, suspension, or revocation of a license.
- Unlicensed practice
- Performing nail services without a valid license, or employing an unlicensed person to do so, is prohibited and subject to civil penalty and discipline.
- Scope of practice
- Nail technicians perform manicures, pedicures, and nail extensions; diagnosing or treating disease is outside their scope and reserved to physicians.