Cosmetology · Manicure Services

Why avoid cutting the living skin (eponychium) around the nail?

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Correct answer

Cutting living tissue can cause pain, bleeding, and infection

A It is required
B Cutting living tissue can cause pain, bleeding, and infection
C It looks better cut
D It is faster to cut it

Why this is the answer

The cosmetologist should avoid cutting the living skin around the nail (the eponychium) because this tissue is part of the body's protective barrier; cutting it can cause pain and bleeding and create an opening for pathogens to enter, leading to infection. Only the non-living cuticle tissue on the nail plate is gently addressed, and even that conservatively. Protecting the living skin around the nail is an important manicure-safety and infection-prevention principle that the exam expects candidates to understand.

Source: Skin & Nails — Protecting Living Skin

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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.

New to this exam? Our Cosmetology exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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Why avoid cutting the living skin (eponychium) around the nail?

Why this is the answer

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About this topic: Manicure Services

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