A manicurist or nail technician is a person whose occupation is to style and shape a person's nails. This is achieved using a combination of decorating nails with coloured

varnish Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain. It usually has a yellowish shade from the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmented as desired, and is sold commercially in variou ...

, transfers, gems or glitter. Basic treatments include

manicures A manicure is a mostly cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands performed at home or in a nail salon. A manicure usually consists of filing and shaping the ''free edge'' of nails, pushing and clipping (with a cuticle pusher a ...

and pedicures, as well as cleaning and filing nails and applying overlays or extensions. Nail technicians can also paint designs onto nails with an

airbrush An airbrush is a small, air-operated tool that atomizes and sprays various media, most often paint but also ink and dye, and foundation. Spray painting developed from the airbrush and is considered to employ a type of airbrush. History ...

, by hand, using a stencil or stamping. A nail technician will often complete a consultation with the client to check for any signs of skin problems, deformities or

nail disease A nail disease or onychosis is a disease or deformity of the nail. Although the nail is a structure produced by the skin and is a skin appendage, nail diseases have a distinct classification as they have their own signs and symptoms which may ...

before treatment and give clients advice about looking after their hands and nails, and recommend nail care products. Training to become a nail technician involves doing a professional course that normally takes at least a year to complete. Courses will more than likely cover anatomy and physiology of the nails, hands, arms, feet and legs, contraindications that may arise, identifying diseases and disorders, proper sanitation and sterilizing techniques, how to perform nail services safely, gel polish application, liquid and powder enhancements and hard gel enhancements. The work itself tends to take place in a

beauty salon A beauty salon or beauty parlor is an establishment dealing with cosmetic treatments for people. Other variations of this type of business include hair salons, spas, day spas, and medical spas. Beauty treatments Massage for the body is a ...

although some nail technicians will make house calls to clients. Once licensed, many nail technicians will keep their own regular client list. The basic equipment needed to carry out Nail services can be easily obtained. Specialist equipment will be needed for specific nail applications.

References

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