Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply, maintain and remove acrylic nails.
It requires the ability to consult with clients, select suitable products and techniques, and apply acrylic nail enhancement that includes overlays, refills, tips, and French. The acrylic nail enhancement service can be an individual service or form part of a series of services.
This unit applies to beauty therapists and nail technicians who work in beauty and nail salons, and spas. In this environment they may work in a team or autonomously. They have knowledge and skills across a range of nail products and application techniques.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Establish client priorities. | 1.1 Access and review client treatment plan if available. 1.2 Discuss treatment requirements with client. 1.3 Identify contraindications to acrylic nail services and refer client to appropriate professional as required. 1.4 Identify conditions and client characteristics relevant to acrylic nail services and discuss treatment and product effects with client. 1.5 Conduct patch test as required and record outcomes. 1.6 Design treatment plan, confirm with client and record. |
2. Prepare for acrylic nail service. | 2.1 Prepare treatment area, equipment and self. 2.3 Select products and equipment and personal protection equipment. 2.2 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during preparation and subsequent treatment process. |
3. Remove acrylic enhancements. | 3.1 Position self to minimise fatigue and risk of injury. 3.2 Buff or soak grown out, damaged, and chipped acrylic enhancements. 3.3 Remove acrylic enhancements as per treatment plan and manufacturer instructions. |
4. Apply, refill or repair acrylic nails. | 4.1 Shape and prepare nail plate for acrylic application. 4.2 Apply acrylic nail products according to manufacturer instructions and treatment plan. 4.3 Modify application technique and products as required. 4.4 Complete acrylic nail enhancements according to treatment plan and client’s needs. |
5. Review service. | 5.1 Seek client feedback, revise and record treatment plan. 5.2 Advise client of maintenance requirements. 5.3 Recommend aftercare, products, and future services. 5.4 Update treatment plan and rebook client as required. |
6. Clean service area. | 6.1 Remove used towels and clean surfaces and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 6.2 Restock equipment and products in preparation for next treatment. 6.3 Dispose of general waste to minimise negative environmental impacts according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
communicate, follow and adjust treatment plans and provide six safe and appropriate quality nail enhancements for clients which include the following acrylic enhancements services:
French acrylic on tips
French backfills
French, natural and clear tips
overlays
refills
removals
provide maintenance acrylic nail services for three of these clients that includes:
blend regrowth lines
correct side walls of extensions
rebalance stress curves
refine enhancements surfaces
repair damaged, chipped or broken acrylic
provide acrylic nail enhancements for these clients with:
structural integrity
smooth surface
suitability for client’s nail shape
with minimal damage to natural nails
design and record treatment plans and records for each client specifying details of:
adverse reactions
after-care advice
areas requiring special treatment
client feedback
colours used
contraindications
nails analysis
required services
treatment sequence
type of acrylic enhancement
treatment duration
remove acrylic products with minimal damage to natural nails
present self, according to organisational policy
comply with health and hygiene regulations and requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
state or territory and local health and hygiene regulations and requirements relevant to providing acrylic nail enhancement services
organisational policies and procedures relevant to providing acrylic nail enhancement services:
client record management
dust extraction
equipment use and maintenance
incident reporting
linen use and laundry procedures
methods of venting air
personal hygiene and presentation
presentation of treatment area
safe use of chemicals
use of personal protective equipment for client and operator:
dust masks
gloves
goggles
waste disposal
work health and safety
scope of practice as it applies to acrylic nail enhancements:
when to refer clients to other practitioners
importance of not stating a diagnosis of a contraindication
appearance and gross anatomy of skin and nails
growth, shape, and functions of nails
contraindications which prevent treatment or require referral to health practitioners and relationship to acrylic nail services:
allergic reactions
bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
bruising or swelling around nail
contraindications of products used in combination or with other services
damaged natural nails from ineffective application or removal of enhancements
abnormal skin around nail
appearance of skin and nail disorders and relationship to acrylic nail services
adverse effects of acrylic products and how to modify treatment or provide remedial action:
allergy to product
damage to natural nail due to poor application or removal technique
product discolouration
natural nail separation
product peeling
product reaction to temperature
pseudomonas (bacterial infection)
acrylic products properties, chemical components, and their effects on natural nails:
primers
acrylic nail removers
dehydrators
nail adhesives
monomers
polymers
various styles of tips
impact of chemicals in acrylic nail products and techniques to minimise over-exposure and/or injury
safe and environmentally effective methods of venting nail chemical fumes
data safety sheet requirements, location and use in salon
sustainable operating procedures for the conservation of product, water and power
aftercare advice, products and future services for the maintenance of acrylic nail enhancement.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a nail services environment; this can be:
a beauty industry workplace or
a simulated beauty workplace set up for the purpose of skills assessment, that provides services to paying members of the public.
Assessment must ensure access to:
paying clients, both new and regular, with different acrylic nail enhancement needs, who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business
hand washing facilities:
basin
hot and cold running water
liquid soap
single use towels or hand dryer
relevant workplace documentation:
blank client records
organisational policies and procedures relevant to the application of acrylic nail enhancements
manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets.
Assessment must ensure use of:
acrylic products from comprehensive professional range that include:
primers
acrylic nail remover
dehydrator
acrylic adhesive
monomers
polymers
various styles of tips
cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
client chair
equipment:
acrylic clippers
brushes for application of artificial nails and primer
buffers
cuticle pushers
dappen dishes
desk towels
hand rests
files
sculpting forms
manicure table with table lamp and mats
tip cutters
exhaust system to extract chemical fumes and dust
hand and nail sanitiser
operator chair
personal protective equipment:
disposable gloves
dust masks
safety glasses
treatment towels, cotton or disposable.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
complete acrylic nail enhancements within commercially realistic speed, timing and productivity
demonstrate competency in an environment reflective of real work situations
manage tasks and contingencies in the context of the job role.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors and:
hold a qualification as a nail technician or beauty therapist
have worked as a nail technician or beauty therapist for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Skill | Description |
Oral communication skills to: | use effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult with client, confirm requirements and monitor service outcomes. |
Reading skills to: | interpret and follow manufacturer instructions and safety data sheets for safe use of cleaning and treatment products and equipment. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate product quantities, time and price. |
Technology skills to: | use acrylic application tools use client software to update client notes, rebook client for future treatment, record stock data and product purchases. |
Sectors
Beauty
Competency Field
Nail Services