Manicuring and Pedicuring Services
Setup and sequence
Every basic manicure follows the same spine: consult and wash hands, sanitize your station, set out only disinfected or single-use implements, shape the nail, soften and push back the cuticle, clean under the free edge, massage with lotion, polish, then clean up and disinfect. Pedicures add a basin setup: clean and disinfect the tub (or use a liner), run water at a comfortable warm temperature, soak briefly, and keep all soak additives off the skin of clients with sensitive or broken skin.
Technique details that questions target
- Filing: natural nails are filed from corner toward center in one direction with a fine-grit file. Sawing back and forth builds heat and splits layers.
- Cuticle care: push back softened cuticle with a rubber-tipped pusher. Nippers are for a hanging tag of dead tissue or a hangnail, not for cutting living skin; aggressive cutting opens portals for infection.
- Buffing: light pressure, natural nail only, and never so much that the plate thins or shines wet-looking from over-thinning.
- Massage: skip or modify over inflamed, bruised, or broken skin; check for circulatory problems.
Traps
Questions love "the client's cuticles were overgrown, so I cut them." The right answer is softening and pushing. Another trap: filing a nail shorter by bearing down on the free edge, which separates the bed; or soaking a client with diabetes in hot water without checking temperature.
Special clients
Diabetes, circulatory disease, nerve damage, or a fragile immune system means no aggressive nipping, cautious water temperature, and referral when skin is broken. Never work over an active infection.
Rule of thumb: file natural nails in one direction, from corner to center, with light pressure.