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NAIL TERM GLOSSARY A

NAIL TERM GLOSSARY

Our nail term glossary is a resource provided to our customers which offers simple definitions for various terms used in reference to nail care.

Please feel free to peruse our glossary for any terms you wish to define.

A

TERM

DEFINITION

Abrasive

Abrasives are tools used to roughen, shape, polish, or remove the surface of artificial and natural nails

ABS Plastic

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) monomer is a common thermoplastic polymer used for making plastic nail tips.

Abyssinian Oil

Abyssinian oil is an oil produced from the Crambe Abyssinica crop, widely used in nail industry for its cuticle-smoothing erucic acid.

Accelerator

Accelerator (in chemistry), a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction.

Accreditation

Action or process of officially recognizing someone as being qualified to perform a particular activity.

Acetone

Acetone is a clear and highly flammable liquid used as a solvent, to break down and remove nail polish.

Acid

A substance having a pH of less than 7.0 (neutral).

Acid Primer

An acid-based primer that is used to stick acrylic and gel products to natural nail plate.

Acid-Based

Primers with methacrylic acid.

Acid-Free

Primers without any acid.

Acrylates

Acrylates are used as adhesives to stick artificial nails mold to the natural nail plate.

Acrylic

Acrylic is mixture of liquid monomer and powdered polymer, which is given the desired shape before it hardens. It is used to add strength, length, and thickness to the nail.

Acrylic Brush

A brush used to apply acrylic nails.

Acrylic Dip Powder

Nail service in which adhesive is applied on nails and are quickly dipped into acrylic color powder, coating the entire nail bed.

Activator

Chemical used to accelerate a reaction.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a therapy used to relieve symptoms from many common disorders by exerting pressure to specific body points.

Acute Effects

Serious symptoms that develop due to short-term exposure to toxic chemicals or substances

Acute Exposure

Refers to single or multiple exposures to toxic chemicals or substances within 24-hour period or less

Add-On Services

A related treatment, or treatments that can be added to a nail care service in a salon.

Adhesive

Substances used to stick two surfaces OR acrylic nails to your natural nail plate.

Aesthetics Also known as Esthetic, is the application of various techniques and products to the outermost layer of skin to beautify it

Agnails

A sore or inflammation affecting a fingernail or toenail or within close proximity.

Air Purification

The process of removing contaminants from the air.

Airbrush

Airbrushing is a nail art in which liquids are sprayed on nail tip using an atomizer powered by compressed air

Airbrushing Nail art applied using an airbrush gun.

Alkaline

A substance having a pH greater than 7.0 (neutral)

Allergen

Any substance which causes allergic reactions such as sneezing, irritation, rash, et cetera, when eaten, inhaled or other when other bodily contact is made.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction, generally in form of itchy rash. It is an allergic reaction caused by direct contact with a substance.

Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions are sensitivities to allergens. Common allergic symptoms include inflammation, rash, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. Allergic reactions can vary in severity from mild to life threatening depending on the sensitivity of the individual.

Allergy

Allergy is a damaging reaction by the human immune system, to foreign substances to which the individual’s immune system has become hypersensitive to. Allergies vary from individual to individual and vary from mild reactions to life threatening.

Almond Oil

Almond oil is extracted from the seed of the almond fruit. It is rich in vitamin A, B, D and E and is found in many hair and nail treatments

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel is derived from leaves of aloe plants. Because of its moisturizing, healing and antimicrobial properties it is widely used in skin treatments

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder that leads to patchy hair loss

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) are chemical compounds that occur naturally and are used in cosmetic products to exfoliate and cleanse the skin

American Manicure

The American Manicure is a simple nail paint pattern with cream colored base and off-white tip

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds or building blocks that combine to form proteins.

Angular Brush

The bristles of angular brush are cut at a slant, it is usually used by nail professionals to create precise nail designs

Anonychia

A condition that affects the fingernails and toenails, characterized particularly by missing fingernails and toenails.

Anti-Inflammatory

Substance used to decrease inflammation.

Antibacterial

Antibiotic or substance with anti-bacterial properties used against bacteria which may destroy or render them harmless.

Antifungal

Medicines used to treat fungal infections.

Antimicrobial

Medicines or Topical substances used to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth.

Antioxidant

Substances which can slow OR prevent cell damage by free radicals. Common examples are vitamin E & vitamin C

Antiseptic

Substances used to stop OR slow down the growth of microorganisms.

Appliques

Appliques is self-adhering ornamental nail work OR nail decals

Apprenticeship

A system for training a new generation of nail practitioners while working with a professional already licensed in nail care

Argan Oil

Argan oil is derived from the kernels of the argan tree. It is highly moisturizing and can be found in moisturizers for hair, skin and nails.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils as a healing treatment to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit

Aromatic

Containing aroma, typically appealing and pleasant scents.

Arthritis

Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness.

Athlete's Foot

A common fungal infection that affects the feet. Generally affecting the skin between the toes. This is a form of Ringworm.

Autoclave

A machine that uses steam under pressure to kill harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses & fungi.

Avulsion

A surgical or non-surgical procedure in which part OR all of a nail is removed from the nail bed.

Ayurveda

Ancient Indian medical system, which is based on ancient writings that rely on a “natural” and holistic approach to physical and mental health.

Azulene

Azulene is extracted from chamomile flower. It is isomer of naphthalene and used as herbal and skin treatment because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

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INDEX...

TERM	DEFINITION
Abrasive	Abrasives are tools used to roughen, shape, polish, or remove the surface of artificial and natural nails

ABS Plastic	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) monomer is a common thermoplastic polymer used for making plastic nail tips.

Abyssinian Oil	Abyssinian oil is an oil produced from the Crambe Abyssinica crop, widely used in nail industry for its cuticle-smoothing erucic acid.

Accelerator	Accelerator (in chemistry), a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction.

Accreditation	Action or process of officially recognizing someone as being qualified to perform a particular activity.

Acetone	Acetone is a clear and highly flammable liquid used as a solvent, to break down and remove nail polish.

Acid	A substance having a pH of less than 7.0 (neutral).

Acid Primer	An acid-based primer that is used to stick acrylic and gel products to natural nail plate.

Acid-Based	Primers with methacrylic acid.

Acid-Free	Primers without any acid.

Acrylates	Acrylates are used as adhesives to stick artificial nails mold to the natural nail plate.

Acrylic	Acrylic is mixture of liquid monomer and powdered polymer, which is given the desired shape before it hardens. It is used to add strength, length, and thickness to the nail.

Acrylic Brush	A brush used to apply acrylic nails.

Acrylic Dip Powder	Nail service in which adhesive is applied on nails and are quickly dipped into acrylic color powder, coating the entire nail bed.

Activator	Chemical used to accelerate a reaction.

Acupressure	Acupressure is a therapy used to relieve symptoms from many common disorders by exerting pressure to specific body points.

Acute Effects	Serious symptoms that develop due to short-term exposure to toxic chemicals or substances

Acute Exposure	Refers to single or multiple exposures to toxic chemicals or substances within 24-hour period or less

Add-On Services	A related treatment, or treatments that can be added to a nail care service in a salon.

Adhesive	Substances used to stick two surfaces OR acrylic nails to your natural nail plate.

Aesthetics	Also known as Esthetic, is the application of various techniques and products to the outermost layer of skin to beautify it

Agnails	A sore or inflammation affecting a fingernail or toenail or within close proximity.

Air Purification	The process of removing contaminants from the air.

Airbrush	Airbrushing is a nail art in which liquids are sprayed on nail tip using an atomizer powered by compressed air

Airbrushing	Nail art applied using an airbrush gun.

Alkaline	A substance having a pH greater than 7.0 (neutral)

Allergen	Any substance which causes allergic reactions such as sneezing, irritation, rash, et cetera, when eaten, inhaled or other when other bodily contact is made.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis	Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction, generally in form of itchy rash. It is an allergic reaction caused by direct contact with a substance.

Allergic Reaction	Allergic reactions are sensitivities to allergens. Common allergic symptoms include inflammation, rash, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. Allergic reactions can vary in severity from mild to life threatening depending on the sensitivity of the individual.

Allergy	Allergy is a damaging reaction by the human immune system, to foreign substances to which the individual’s immune system has become hypersensitive to. Allergies vary from individual to individual and vary from mild reactions to life threatening.

Almond Oil	Almond oil is extracted from the seed of the almond fruit. It is rich in vitamin A, B, D and E and is found in many hair and nail treatments

Aloe Vera	Aloe vera gel is derived from leaves of aloe plants. Because of its moisturizing, healing and antimicrobial properties it is widely used in skin treatments

Alopecia Areata	Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder that leads to patchy hair loss

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)	Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) are chemical compounds that occur naturally and are used in cosmetic products to exfoliate and cleanse the skin

American Manicure	The American Manicure is a simple nail paint pattern with cream colored base and off-white tip

Amino Acids	Amino acids are organic compounds or building blocks that combine to form proteins.

Angular Brush	The bristles of angular brush are cut at a slant, it is usually used by nail professionals to create precise nail designs

Anonychia	A condition that affects the fingernails and toenails, characterized particularly by missing fingernails and toenails.

Anti-Inflammatory	Substance used to decrease inflammation.

Antibacterial	Antibiotic or substance with anti-bacterial properties used against bacteria which may destroy or render them harmless.

Antifungal	Medicines used to treat fungal infections.

Antimicrobial	Medicines or Topical substances used to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth.

Antioxidant	Substances which can slow OR prevent cell damage by free radicals. Common examples are vitamin E & vitamin C

Antiseptic	Substances used to stop OR slow down the growth of microorganisms.

Appliques	Appliques is self-adhering ornamental nail work OR nail decals

Apprenticeship	A system for training a new generation of nail practitioners while working with a professional already licensed in nail care

Argan Oil	Argan oil is derived from the kernels of the argan tree. It is highly moisturizing and can be found in moisturizers for hair, skin and nails.

Aromatherapy	Aromatherapy uses essential oils as a healing treatment to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit

Aromatic	Containing aroma, typically appealing and pleasant scents.

Arthritis	Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness.

Athlete's Foot	A common fungal infection that affects the feet. Generally affecting the skin between the toes. This is a form of Ringworm.

Autoclave	A machine that uses steam under pressure to kill harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses & fungi.

Avulsion	A surgical or non-surgical procedure in which part OR all of a nail is removed from the nail bed.

Ayurveda	Ancient Indian medical system, which is based on ancient writings that rely on a “natural” and holistic approach to physical and mental health.

Azulene	Azulene is extracted from chamomile flower. It is isomer of naphthalene and used as herbal and skin treatment because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.