Final answer:
All options (nail clippers, nail polish, cuticle pusher, nail file) are equipment used in nail services. To maintain safety, nail salons require appropriate licensing, regular inspections, and proper hygienic practices. Certain professional nail products can be harmful, and safer alternatives are available.
Step-by-step explanation:
None of the listed items (nail clippers, nail polish, cuticle pusher, nail file) are excluded from being classified as equipment used in nail services; they are all commonly used tools in the industry. Nail clippers are used to trim the nails, providing a clean shape before further detailing. Nail polish is applied for color and protection, while a cuticle pusher is used to manipulate and tidy the cuticles without cutting them, as this could lead to infections. A nail file is utilized to shape and smooth the edges of the nails.
Licenses and inspections required for nail salons can vary, but typically, nail technicians must be licensed and salons should regularly pass health inspections to ensure they are following proper sanitary procedures. Hygienic practices in nail salons are critical to reduce the risk of transmitting infections, which includes sterilizing equipment, using disposable tools when possible, and maintaining clean workspaces.
Some professional nail products that may be potentially harmful to the human body include those containing formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate, which are known to be toxic at certain levels. Safer alternatives are products labeled as '3-free' or '5-free', indicating the absence of these substances. Cutting the cuticle during a manicure is generally advised against because the cuticle serves as a barrier to protect from infection. The part of the nail that you trim is called the nail plate, which is comprised of dead cells called keratin.