Nail Care and Services Flashcards

What is the hyponychium and why is it significant during nail services?

Answer: The skin under the free edge; it seals the nail bed from bacteria

The hyponychium is the protective seal of skin beneath the free edge of the nail that prevents pathogens from entering under the nail plate.

Which curing light wavelength is most effective for polymerizing gel nail products?

Answer: Ultraviolet (UV) / LED light at 365–405 nm

Gel photoinitiators are activated by UV/LED light in the 365–405 nanometer range, triggering polymerization of the gel product.

What is 'pterygium' in nail terminology?

Answer: Forward growth of the cuticle onto the nail plate

Pterygium is the abnormal overgrowth of the cuticle (or in toenails, the nail bed skin) forward onto the nail plate surface.

When performing a paraffin wax treatment on hands during a manicure, the wax temperature should be maintained at approximately:

Answer: 115°F – 125°F (46°C – 52°C)

Paraffin wax for hand treatments is kept at 115–125°F to be warm enough to open pores and moisturize without risking burns.

What type of nail enhancement system uses a two-part system of liquid monomer and powder polymer?

Answer: Acrylic (liquid and powder) system

The acrylic system combines a liquid monomer with a powder polymer; they polymerize when mixed, creating a hard, durable nail enhancement.

Which nail disorder is characterized by an abnormal thickening and overgrowth of the nail plate?

Answer: Onychauxis

Onychauxis is the hypertrophy (overgrowth and thickening) of the nail plate, often caused by internal disorders, injury, or local irritation.

What is the safe and recommended method to remove hard gel nail enhancements?

Answer: File off the bulk with an e-file, then carefully file the remaining product by hand

Hard gel does not dissolve in acetone, so it must be filed off using an e-file to remove bulk product and hand filing for the final layer near the natural nail.