Green Discoloration Under an Acrylic
A client comes in with acrylic nails applied two weeks ago and wants them soaked off and replaced. During removal you see a dark green-black discoloration on the natural nail of the right index finger. The nail plate is slightly lifted at the free edge. The surrounding skin is not swollen, red, or painful, and she says it does not hurt. She wants you to "cover it with a new acrylic set" because she has a photo shoot next week. Your salon uses a hospital-grade disinfectant with a 10-minute contact time and single-use files and buffers.
1. What do you suspect, and what is your immediate decision about the new set?
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A green-black discoloration under a lifted enhancement is consistent with a bacterial infection such as Pseudomonas, which thrives in the dark, moist space under a lifted product. It is not a stain to be covered. Do not apply a new acrylic set: covering it traps moisture and can worsen the infection. Do not use an electric file on the affected nail. Remove the remaining product gently and refer her to a physician or dermatologist for diagnosis and clearance. Document what you saw, the date, and the referral. If she insists, explain that state rules and salon policy prohibit applying product over an infected or inflamed nail.
2. How do you handle the implements, files, and the work area after this service?
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Assume the area is contaminated. Discard single-use files, buffers, and any porous items that contacted the nail; they cannot be disinfected. Clean reusable implements with soap and water to remove debris, then immerse them in the hospital-grade disinfectant for the full 10-minute contact time, and dry them before storage. Wipe the table and lamp with the same disinfectant at the label contact time. Remove gloves without touching the outside, wash hands, and change the towel. Do not return reusable implements to the drawer until the contact time is complete, because skipping it is how cross-contamination spreads between clients.
3. What do you tell the client, and how do you protect her photo-shoot timeline?
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Explain in plain language that the green color and lifted edge suggest an infection and that covering it could make it worse. Tell her to see a physician or dermatologist before any new enhancement, and that she should not pick at or seal the area. Offer a timeline: once the physician clears her, she can book a new set. For the photo shoot, offer a safe alternative such as a natural nail manicure without covering the affected nail, or nail polish only if the physician allows it and the nail is intact. Document the advice and her response, and do not diagnose or prescribe.