Final answer:
Nail technicians can only push back the eponychium but should not cut it to avoid damage or infections. The hyponychium is the part furthest from the nail growth center, and nail plates are made of dead cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nail technicians are permitted to push back the eponychium, but they should not trim, reshape, or remove it. The eponychium, also known as the cuticle, is the nail fold that meets the proximal end of the nail body and protects the nail growth center from pathogens.
The part of the nail furthest from the nail growth center is the hyponychium, not the eponychium. Cutting the cuticle is a bad idea because it can lead to infections and damage to the nail growth. The part of the nail that you typically trim is called the free margin, which is the portion of the nail that extends beyond the distal end of the finger or toe. Additionally, the nail plate is composed of dead cells, similar to the outer layer of hair follicles.