Lesson 4:

Manicure and
Pedicure Services
ACTIVITY

Draw the nail in

an oslo paper.
A.Basic Information on Hands and
Nails
Structure of Nails
It is very important for a manicurist to
learn and understand the anatomy
and function of the nails so you could
give your clients a professional and
responsible service and care.
Nails are a part of the skin and are
made up of the same protein, keratin
(KER-a-tin), as skin and hair. It is
composed of then hardest keratin. The
technical term for nail in onyx ( ON-
iks). The purpose of nails is to protect
the ends of fingers and toes and to
help the fingers grasp small objects.
Adult fingernails grow at an average
rate of 1/8 inch a month; toenails
grow more easily. The characteristics
of healthy nails are smooth, shiny,
and translucent pink. Its surface is
smooth, curved, and unspotted,
without any hollows or wavy ridges.
Normally, nails replace
themselves every four months
and grow more quickly in
summer than in winter. The
nail grows fastest on the
middle finger and slowest on
the thumb.
The entire nail structure
consists of the parts of the
actual nail and structures
of skin beneath and
surrounding the nail.
Below is the diagram of the nail and its structure.

The actual nail consists of the nail body, nail root, and free edge.
Nail body or Plate - is the main part or
plate of nail that is attached to the skin
at the tip of the finger.
Nail root - is where the nail growth
begins. It is embedded underneath the
skin at the base of the nail.
Free edge - is the end of the nail that
extends beyond the fingertip
Structure Beneath the Nail
The structures beneath the nail include
the nail bed. matrix, and lunula.
Nail Bed is the portion of skin beneath the
nail body that the nail plates rest upon. Its
is supplied with blood vessels that provide
the nourishment necessary for nail
growth. The nail bed also contains nerves.
Matrix (May-triks) contains nerves together with lymph
and blood vessels that produce the nail cells and control
the rate of growth of the nails. It is located under the
nail root. The matrix is the very sensitive part of the nail
and if injured will produce nails with irregular growth
and disorders.
Note: Be careful not to apply excessive pressure to this
area during a manicure.
Lunula is the light-colored half-moon shape at the base
of the nail. This is where the matrix connects with the
nail bed.
Skin Surrounding the nail
The skin surrounding the nail includes the
cuticle, nail fold, nail grooves, nail wall, eponychium,
perionychium, and hyponychium.
Cuticle( KYOO-ti-kel) is the overlapping skin around the
nail. A normal cuticle should be loose and pliable.
Nail Fold Or Mantle (MAN-tel) is the deep fold or skin
at the base of the nail where the nail root is embedded.
Nail Grooves are slits or tracks in the nail bed at the
sides of the nail on which the nail grows.
Nail Wall is the skin on the sides of the nail
above the grooves.
Eponychium (ep-o-NIK-ee-um) is the thin line of
skin at the base of the nail that extends from
the nail wall to the nail plate.
Perionychium (PER-i-o-nikee-um) is the part of
the skin that surrounds the entire nail area.
Hyponychium (heye-poh-NIK-ee-um) is the part
of the skin under the free edge of the nail.
Draw the nail and its
st. ructure/parts
DRAW the different
shapes of the nail in
an oslo paper. Color it
with crayons.
Shapes of Nail
The shapes of your nail should conform to your fingertips. Below are the
different shapes of the nail:

Oval nail Square nail Round nail Squoval nail Pointed nail
1. Oval Nail
It is common among people with long,
perfect nail beds. It may be styled
slightly rounded at the base and slightly
pointed at the fingertips. Most often
this type of nail has a natural look and
looks very good in short-medium
length.
•2. Square nail
•It is created by allowing the
nail to grow out straight and
then filing the tip straight
across at right angles with the
rest of the nail plate.
•3. Round Nail
•This is ideal for shorter nails. The
nail is ideal to grow out at the sides
for approximately 1.5 mm and then
the tip is filed into a rounded shape.
This is a strong shape which is great
for those who keep their nails short.
•4. Squoval Nail
• The squoval nail is a square nail but
the softer edges of an oval.
•5. Pointed Nail
•A pointed nail is filed away at the sides
to a point at the tip; this shape is very
weak as the sides of the nail (which
provide the strength) are totally lost.
Activity. Familiarization
Directions: Look at the pictures below. How would you describe them? Do
you think they are healthy or suffering from diseases /disorders? Write your
reactions on a separate sheet of paper.
• Based on my observations
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_______________
Nail Diseases and Disorders
• Have you ever seen a person with nail disorder
or disease?
• Our bodies host a variety of microorganisms,
some of which are beneficial to us. These
microorganisms also
include bacteria and fungi. Fungal infections are
caused by microscopic plants that live on our skin
and on the dead tissue of our hair and nails. This
is called nail diseases.
 Nail diseases are conditions of both the
nail, and the surrounding skin which
result from bacterial, fungal, and viral
infections. Some conditions will show a
green, yellow, or black discoloration of
the nail, depending on the nature of the
infection. The main course of infection is
through damaged cuticles and broken
skin.
•Nail disorder, on the other hand is a
condition caused by injury to the nail or
disease or imbalance in the body.
• As a nail technician, it is very important
for you to learn how to recognize the
symptoms of nail disorders so you can
make a responsible decision about
whether you should perform a service on
your client.
The golden rule is that, if the nail
or skin to be worked on is
infected, inflamed, broken, or
swollen, a manicurist/pedicurist
should not render his/her service
to the client, instead refer
him/her to a dermatologist.
 An inflammation is red and sore. An
infection will have evidence of pus.
Broken skin or nail tissue is a cut or tear
that exposes deeper layers of these
structures. Raised or swollen skin appears
fatter than normal skin and rise above the
normal level.
Onychosis is a technical term applied to
nail disease.
The following are the nail disorders that can be serviced by
a nail technician.
Bruised Nail - A condition in which a clot of blood forms
under the nail plate caused by injury to the nail bed. Give
gentle manicure. May need to refer to a medical practitioner
Discolored Nail
A condition in which the nails turn a variety of colors including yellow, blue,
blue-grey, green, red & purple. It is caused by poor blood circulation, heart
condition, or topical or oral medication. Application of colored nail polish can
hide this condition.
Eggshell Nail - Nail plate is thin, white, and curved over the free edge.
The condition is caused by improper diet, internal disease,
medication, or nervous disorders. Give gentle manicure; do not use
pressure with a metal pusher at the base of the nail.
Hangnails - A condition which the cuticle around the nails
splits. It is caused by dry cuticles or cuticles that have been
cut too close to the nail. This condition can be improved by
softening the cuticles with oil and trimming the cuticles with
nippers. Hangnails are also called agnail. Give gentle
manicure with emphasis on cuticle work.
Leukonychia - A condition in which spots appear
on the nails. It is caused by air bubbles, a bruise,
or other injury to the nail.
Onychatrophia or atrophy of the nail - The wasting away of
the nail, causing it to lose its lustre and become smaller. The
nail can also shed completely. This condition is mainly caused
by injury or disease. Manicure gently, if the condition is not
severe.
Onychauxis or Hypertrophy - An overgrowth of the nail
caused by internal imbalance, local infection, or
heredity.
• Onychocryptosis (Ingrown Nails) - The nail grows into the
sides of the flesh and may cause infection. Incorrect
trimming and shaping of nails are often responsible for
ingrown nails. Do not manicure or pedicure, if infection is
present. Refer to medical practitioner.
Onychorrexis - It is a split or brittle nails, caused by
injury to the finger or exposure to harsh chemicals. You
may give oil manicures to improve the condition.
Nevus - A brown or black stain on the nail caused by a
pigmented mole that occurs in the nail. Application of
colored polish can hide this disorder.
Onychopagy ( Bitten Nails) - A medical term for
nails that have been bitten enough to become
deformed. Regular manicure may help to stop nail
biting.
Pterygium - Common condition of the forward growth
of the cuticle. The cuticle sticks to the nail and, if not
treated, will grow over the nail to the free edge. Do not
attempt to remove the wing of skin as it is quite
possible that there is no nail plate growth under the
wing.
Onycholysis - A condition in which the nail loosens from
the nail bed, beginning usually at the free edge and
continuing to the lunula, but does not come off. If
possible, keep the nail short to avoid the free edge
“catching” on things and resulting in further
separation. Refer to a medical practitioner, if it is
permanent.
The following are nail diseases that cannot be serviced by a
nail technician or manicurist:
Mold - A fungus infection of the nail that is usually caused
when moisture seeps between an artificial nail and the free
edge. Molds starts with a yellow - green color and darkens to
black if not treated by a doctor.
Onychia - An inflammation in the nail where
the tissue at the base of the nail may be red
and swollen and pus may form.
Onychogryposis - A condition in which the nail
curvature is increased and enlarged. The nail becomes
thicker and curves, sometimes extending over the tip
of the finger and toe. This condition results in
inflammation and pain if the nail grows into the skin.
Onychomycosis ( tinea unguium) - An infectious
disease caused by a fungus (vegetable parasite). A
common form is whitish patches that can be scraped
off the surfaces.
Onychoptosis- It is the periodic shedding of one or more nails either in the
whole or in part. It can occur during or after certain diseases of the body, such
as syphilis, as a result of a fever and system upsets, as a reaction to prescription
drugs, or a result of trauma.
Paronychia - A bacterial inflammation of the tissue
around the nail. The symptoms are redness, swelling
and tenderness of the tissue surrounding the nail.
Pyogenic Granuloma - Severe inflammation of the nail
in which a lump of red tissue grows up from the nail
bed to the nail plate.