Nail ServicesQuestion 39 of 100
During a manicure the client asks you to cut all of her cuticle away because she likes how clean it looks. What should you do?
a.Cut it carefully with sharp disinfected nippers, since the client asked for it
b.Cut only the skin along the sidewalls and leave the base of the nail alone
c.Soak the finger longer first, because soaking makes trimming the living skin safe
d.Explain that you may only remove loose dead tissue from the nail plate and may not cut living skin
Explanation
In California a manicurist may not cut living tissue, so the eponychium and the sidewalls stay intact no matter what the client requests. Only the thin, dead, colorless tissue clinging to the nail plate may be softened with cuticle remover, gently pushed back and removed. Cutting living skin opens a doorway for bacteria and can cause paronychia, and soaking does not make it legal or safe.
Law Reference: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Health and Safety Regulations (CCR Title 16)Practice all 100 questions free — no signup required.
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