Nail Anatomy
Define & Identify Nail Plate
The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail. It is translucent & strong but flexible. The nail plate is made of keratinized (non-living) cells.
Tell the difference between diseases and disorders
Disease = usually infectious or pathological → DO NOT SERVICE
Disorder = non-infectious condition or irregularity → SERVICE WITH CAUTION
This is the very first step of every manicure service and helps prevent the spread of infection
What is washing and sanitizing hands
You use this product to soften or remove any excess non living skin from the nail plate.
Cuticle remover/softener/cream/lotion
You do this before bring a guest to your station and after having a guest at your station.
Clean & Disinfect your station
Define Cuticle and tell where it is located.
A thin, dead layer of skin that sheds from the eponychium and sticks to the nail plate, helping to seal it off from irritants.
I cause separation of the nail plate from the nail bed starting at the free edge
I am a disorder
Onycholysis
Before beginning the nail shaping, the technician must perform this step to gather important health and service information.
What is conducting a client consultation
This product is applied before polish to prevent staining and improve adhesion.
What is a base coat?
Tell the difference between Eponychium & Hyponychium
Eponychium: The living tissue at the base of the nail that covers and protects the matrix; the cuticle sheds from this area.
Hyponychium: The thickened skin under the free edge of the nail, forming a seal between the nail plate and the skin of the fingertip.
I cause a forward growth of eponychium or hyponychium across the nail plate
Nail Pterygium
When filing the natural nail, this direction of motion should be avoided to prevent splitting or damage.
What is sawing back and forth
This metal tool is designed to gently push back softened cuticle tissue during a manicure.
What is a cuticle pusher?
The name of the process that causes cells to harden and produce the nail body/plate.
Keratinization
This disorder shows up as deep horizontal grooves across the nail plate due to a temporary interruption in nail growth.
What are Beau’s Lines
This specific item must be replaced or properly disinfected between clients when performing a manicure to avoid cross-contamination.
What is the metal cuticle pusher (or any reusable implement)?
This tool has a small spoon-shaped end and is used to carefully remove dead tissue from the nail plate, but must never cut living skin.
What is a curette
Name all parts of the nail and their function.
1. Nail Plate – The visible, hard portion of the nail that sits on top of the nail bed.
2. Nail Bed – The skin beneath the nail plate that provides nourishment and support.
3. Matrix (Nail Matrix) – The tissue under the proximal nail fold that produces new nail cells; controls nail growth and thickness.
4. Lunula – The whitish, half-moon shape at the base of the nail; visible portion of the matrix.
5. Cuticle – The thin, non-living tissue that tightly adheres to the nail plate and seals the area between the natural nail and eponychium to prevent infection.
6. Eponychium – The living skin at the base of the nail that covers and protects the matrix; often mistaken for the cuticle.
7. Hyponychium – The protective skin under the free edge that prevents pathogens from entering the nail bed.
8. Nail Grooves – Tracks or slits on the sides of the nail that guide the nail plate as it grows.
9. Nail Folds (Sidewalls) – Folds of skin along the sides and base of the nail that protect the matrix.
10. Free Edge – The part of the nail plate that extends beyond the fingertip.
11. Perionychium – The skin and tissues surrounding the nail, including the sidewalls.
12. Nail Mantle – The deep fold of skin in which the nail root and matrix are embedded.
This disease causes redness, swelling, and sometimes pus around the nail fold and is often linked to improper cuticle care.
Paronychia
According to proper manicure procedure, this step must occur immediately after removing polish but before any cuticle work to ensure accuracy in shaping.
What is analyzing and shaping the natural nail (or determining the correct shape)
This implement, often confused with a cuticle pusher, has a sharp blade-like edge designed to trim ONLY dead skin but is prohibited or restricted in many states due to risk of cutting living tissue
What is a nipper or cuticle nipper?