3. Foundational knowledge

Now that you have a solid grasp of the basics, we can now begin to unpack all of the essential theory components you will need as a nail technician. Some of the information in this module may be a refresher for you, and other sections could be a totally new learning experience! Before we can begin practising and refining our nail enhancement skills, we must understand why we do things a certain way. Gorgeous nails do not just happen by chance – there are many factors that sit behind achieving the perfect nails for our clients. As a skilled nail technician, you will need to have a thorough knowledge of:

  • Layers of the skin
  • Anatomy and physiology of nails
  • Factors impacting nail growth
  • pH levels
  • Contraindications and when to refuse service
  • Patch testing
  • Safe working practices
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Cuticle
  • Colour theory
  • Hand file techniques
  • E-file usage
  • Chemistry of Nail Products

As you can see from the broad range of knowledge areas above, our job is not as simple as filing a nail and applying some polish! In this module, you will learn all of the theoretical concepts and principles that underpin what we do day in and day out as nail technicians. As you work through each lesson in this module, be sure to take plenty of notes so you can refer back to them later.

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