Cosmetology · Manicure Services

What is the correct way to care for the cuticle area during a manicure?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Gently push back/soften the cuticle without cutting living tissue, avoiding injury

A Ignore sanitation
B Cut deeply into living skin
C Tear the skin
D Gently push back/soften the cuticle without cutting living tissue, avoiding injury

Why this is the answer

During a manicure, the cuticle area should be cared for gently — softening and gently pushing back the non-living cuticle as appropriate — without cutting into the living skin (the eponychium) or aggressively removing tissue, because injuring this area can cause pain, bleeding, and open the door to infection. The living skin around the nail protects against pathogens entering. Conservative, careful cuticle work protects the client. Knowing to avoid cutting living tissue and to prevent injury is an important manicure-safety point on the exam.

Source: Skin & Nails — Cuticle Care

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About this topic: Manicure Services

Manicure questions cover the tools and products, the step-by-step basic manicure, massage, polish application and the sanitation of implements between clients. This is one of 10 Skin & Nails questions on manicure services, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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What is the correct way to care for the cuticle area during a manicure?

Why this is the answer

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About this topic: Manicure Services

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