Final answer:
A cotton ball is used to remove debris from the nail surface during a manicure. Cutting the cuticle is not recommended due to the risk of infection, and the nail plate consists of dead cells. Nail technicians should have proper training and be aware of chemicals in products.
Step-by-step explanation:
The item used to remove service debris from the nail surface during a manicure is a cotton ball. Nail technicians often use cotton balls in conjunction with nail polish remover to clean and prepare the nail bed before applying polish. It's important to note that cutting the cuticle during a manicure is not recommended because the cuticle serves as a protective barrier against infection. The part of the nail that is typically trimmed is the nail plate, which is composed of dead cells, similar to hair.
Professional nail technicians are required to have proper training and certification, which includes knowledge of safety practices and understanding the chemical composition of nail products. Ethanol and acetic acid, for example, react to form water and ethyl acetate, a solvent that contributes to the odor of some nail polish removers. Moreover, awareness of toxic chemicals like dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde, commonly found in nail products, is essential to ensure safe manicure and pedicure services.