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.

D

TERM	DEFINITION
Dabbing / Longbrush	Instead of stroking the polish with the end of the brush as usual, this involves touching the entire length of the brush to the nail so that a long strip of glitter is left behind.
Dappen Dish	Container used during an individual service to hold small amounts of product.
Day Spa	Services provided for the purpose of improving beauty and relaxation such as massage, nail care, skin care services, and more.
Dead Sea Salts	Salt and other mineral deposits extracted from the Dead Sea, used in treating various skin conditions.
Deal Sheet	A brochure issued by distributors to salon professionals with specials and discounts.
Decal	Any decorative pattern or image printed on plastic, paper OR ceramic material that can be transferred to nails as nail art.
Decant	To gradually pour nail polish from one bigger container with sediment into another smaller OR mini sized bottle.
Decontamination	Removal of germs from an area, object, or person.
Defatting	The chemical dissolving of fats, from the skin, on contact with defatting agents.
Dehydrate	Nails are dehydrated in order to prevent the growth of germs and increase adhesion capabilities.
Dehydration	Dehydration refers to removal of moisture. Nails are dehydrated in order to prevent the growth of germs and increase adhesion capabilities.
Dehydrator	Material used to remove moisture from nails.
Delamination	Delamination is separation of a coating from another surface, in case of nails it describes separation of enhancement from the natural nail.
Depilatory	Cosmetic preparation that is used to remove hair from the skin.
Dermabrasion	It is an exfoliating technique that uses wire brushes or similar tools to remove the outer layers of skin.
Dermatitis	Dermatitis is a skin reaction usually in the form of itchy, blistered, dry and cracked skin caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it.
Dermatologist	A doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails.
Dermatophyte	Dermatophytes are fungi that are cause skin disease such as athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch infections.
Dermis	Skin layer beneath the epidermis, this is the thickest layer of the skin.
Desairology	The state-licensed practice of caring for hair and nails of decedents in a funeral home before burial by cosmetologists or barber stylists.
Design Acrylics	Design Acrylics is another term for colored acrylics.
Destash	To sell or trade existing nail crafting supplies OR polishes by someone from their stash.
Destination Spa	A resort centered on a spa, such as a mineral spa which also includes other activities such as physical fitness, wellness education and healthy cuisine.
Detailer Brush	A nail brush for drawing nail art, especially for drawing fine lines, flowers and embellishing.
Diabetes	A metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar.
Diabetic Clients	Someone suffering from diabetes, special care needs to be taken for such clients in nail salons.
Diamond Bit	Abrasive piece which is attached to the end of electric file. It is used for grinding the nail down and usually consists of a steel shank with a diamond.
Diamond Dust	Dust leftover after cutting diamonds because of its hardness, diamond dust is used in nail strengthening products and some nail polishes.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)	Dibutyl phthalate is ingredient used in nail polishes as a plasticizer that prevents nail polishes from becoming brittle.
Diffusion	Movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration such as colored dye spreading out in water.
Discolored Nail	A condition in which nails appear white, yellow, or green, it is usually caused by infections, poor blood circulation OR any other health disorder.
Disinfectable	The ability of a non-living surface to be cleaned of microorganisms.
Disinfectant	Substance that is used to kills germs and other microorganisms on non-living surfaces. Such as tools used in nail salons.
Disinfection	Procedure of killing germs and other microorganisms on non living surfaces.
DISO	Acronym for Desperately In Search Of, usually used for certain hard to find or rare items.
Disposable	Items that are used in nail salons and are usually thrown out after single use, such as paper cups etc.
Distal Edge of Nail	The portion of the nail farthest from the area of the cuticle.
Distributor	Someone who is procuring products from the manufacturer and marketing and selling it to the end user.
Diversion	The practice of diverting products intended to be sold to salon only to other customers such as grocery stores.
Double Load	When two or more than two colors are added to the brush so as to create a unique nail art.
Double Stamping	Using the standard form of nail art stamping but layering 2 designs on top of each other.
Drag	When brushing polish over an area that has already been polished, drag takes place, literally pulling the first polish coating away, leaving the application messy.
Drill	Drill refers to electric file usually used in nail salons.
Dry Manicure	It refers to technique of manicure where no soaking is required. Creams, lotions and other hydrating ingredients are used to moisturize the skin.
Duochrome	A nail polish which shows different colors when seen from different angles for example duochrome polishes might show green from right and red from left.
Dupe	Exact copy of the original polish that was recreated by another brand.
Dusty Hunting/Bin Diving	Bin diving and dusty hunting is searching for hard to find nail polishes in bargain bins.
Dyshidrosis	Dyshidrosis is skin rash which causes small, fluid-filled blisters on palms and sides of fingers

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