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.

O

TERM	DEFINITION
Occupational Dermatitis	Occupational Dermatitis is a type of skin disorder or eczema (dry and irritated skin) caused by the working environment.
Odorless Acrylics	Acrylics that produce little to no discernable scent.
Oligomer	Oligomers are monomers used in UV gels. They provide shininess & rigidity to UV gels.
Ombre	Nail art in which different nail polishes are used on all five fingers, usually from darker to lighter or vice-versa.
Onychalgia	Medical term used for having pain in one's nails.
Onychatrophia	Shrinking and falling of nails usually after trauma or fever.
Onychauxis	Medical term for thickening or overgrowth of the nail.
Onychauxis (Or Hypertrophy)	Medical term for thickening or overgrowth of the nail. Onychauxis should not be ignored.
Onychectomy	Surgical excision of a nail.
Onychia	Inflammation in the nail which leads to pus and falling of the nail. It is usually caused by a nail injury.
Onychitis	Medical term for inflammation of the nail bed.
Onychocryptosis	Medical term for ingrown nail.
Onychocryptosis (Ingrown Nails)	Medical term for ingrown nail usually caused by tight shoes, high heels and improper trimming of the nails.
Onychodystrophy	Onychodystrophy is a medical term for abnormalities in the nail.
Onychogryphosis	Onychogryphosis is a nail disorder in which one side of the nail grows faster than the other and curves into the skin, making it painful.
Onychoheterotopia	A rare condition in which nail grows outside the nail unit.
Onychoincurvatum	Medical term that refers to incurvated nail.
Onycholysis	Medical term that refers to painless separation of the nail from the nail bed, usually starting from the tip of the nail.
Onychomalacia	Abnormal softness of nails.
Onychomycosis	Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail, resulting in brittle and discolored nails.
Onychopathy	Any disease of the nails.
Onychophagia (Onychophagy)	Onychophagia or Onychophagy refers to the oral compulsive habit of biting someone's own nails. It affects health of nails as well as personal health.
Onychophosis	Onychophosis is spread of skin down the side of the nails.
Onychoptosis	Medical term that refers to painless separation of the nail from the nail bed, usually starting from the tip of the nail.
Onychorrhexis	Onychorrhexis is a nail disease characterized by brittleness, vertical ridges or breakage of finger or toenails.
Onychoschizia	Onychoschizia causes horizontal nail splitting, usually because of harsh dishwashing liquids or nutritional deficiencies.
Onychosis	Any disease of the nails.
Onychotillomania	Self-induced picking or pulling of nails.
Onyx	A stone; or a Greek term for the nail.
Orange Stick	A wooden stick usually made of orangewood with pointed end. It is used to clean nails and remove cuticles.
Organic	Compounds containing the element carbon.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)	OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a United States governmental agency that ensures safe and healthful working conditions for workers.
Osmosis	Movement of liquids through a permeable membrane from high liquid concentration to low liquid concentration.
OTC (Over The Counter)	Medicines or topical treatments that can be purchased without a prescription from a Doctor or other medical professional.
Overexposure	Prolonged exposure to something harmful.
Overlay	To cover the surface of natural nail by adding gels, or fiber.
Oxidation	Oxidation is gain of oxygen and loss of electrons.
Ozone	Ozone (O3) is a pale blue natural gas consisting of three oxygen atoms. Known for a pungent odor, it has powerful oxidizing propertied. Formed when Oxygen (O2) is subjected to electrical discharges or Ultra-Violet light.

GLOSSARY NAVIGATION