Part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe
Free edge
A condition in which the living tissue surrounding the nail plate splits or tears
Hangnail
A stainless-steel implement used to carefully trim away dead skin around the nails
Nail nipper
professional implements that are larger than fingernail clippers and have a curved or straight jaw specifically designed for the feet
Toenail Clippers
Plastic, pre-molded nails shaped from a tough polymer made from ABS plastic
Nail tip
Chemical liquid mixed with the polymer powder to form the sculptured nail enhancement
Monomer Liquid
To Harden
Cure
Dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate
Cuticle
Condition in which a blood clot forms under the nail plate causing a dark purplish spot. These discolorations are usually do to small injuries to the nail bed.
Bruised nail beds
A colorless, inflammable liquid; miscible with water, alcohol, and ether; and has a sweetish odor or burning taste.
Acetone
Foam rubber or cotton disposable materials used to keep toes apart while polishing the nails. A new set must be used on each client
Toe separators
The bonding agent used to secure the nail tip to the natural nail
Nail tip adhesive
refers to how many grains of sand are on the file per square inch
Grit
Any thick-viscosity adhesive resin the is used to build an arch and curve to the fingernail
Builder gel
Folds of normal skin that surround the natural nail plate
Nail folds
Also known as athlete’s foot; medical term for fungal infections of the feet; red, itchy ras of the skin on the bottom of the feet and/or between the toes, usually found between the fourth and fifth toe
Tines pedis
A petroleum by-product that has excellent seal properties to hold moisture in the skin
Paraffin
Products designed to soften and smooth thickened tissue (calluses)
Callus Softeners
A layer of any kind of nail enhancement product that is applied over the natural nail or nail and tip application for added strength
Overlay
Also known as arch; the area of the nail the has all of the strength
Apex
The tacky surface left on the nail after light cured gel has cured
Inhibition layer
Also known as onyx; the hard protective plate is composed of mainly keratin, the same fibrous protein found in skin and hair
Natural nail
Also known as ingrown nails; nail grows into the sides of the tissue around the nail
Onchocryptosis
The act of causing tiny, unseen openings in the skin that can allow entry by pathogenic microbes
Microtrauma
Also known as pedicure paddles; large, abrasive files used to reduce and smooth thicker foot calluses
Foot file
A method of securing a layer of fabric or paper on and around the nail tip to ensure its strength and durability
The line of the nail enhancement that runs straight from the cuticle down the side or wall of the nail to the end of the extention
Side wall
A main ingredient used to create light cured gel nail enhancements
Urethane acrylate
Slightly thickened layer of skin under the nail that lies between the fingertip and free edge of the natural nail plate
Hyponychium
Lifting of the nail plate from the nail bed without shedding, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing toward the lunula area
Onycholysis
The curved line where the pink and the white meet each other on a french manicured nail
Smile line
A metal implement with a grooved edge that is used for filing and smoothing the edges of the nail plate
Nail rasp
Also known as ABS; a common thermoplastic used to make light, rigid, molded nail tips
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Also known as polymerization reaction; process the joins together monomers to create very long polymer chains
Chain reaction
A chemical that initiates the polymerization reaction
Photoinitiator