During a pedicure, which area should not be pushed back?

• A. Cuticle
• B. Eponychium
• C. Lunula
• D. Matrix

Answer: (B)

The area to avoid pushing back is the living tissue that protects the nail base. The eponychium sits at the base of the nail and acts as a barrier for the matrix, so pushing it back can cause trauma, bleeding, and infection. In contrast, the dead skin referred to as the cuticle around the nail plate can be gently pushed back to expose the nail for shaping. The lunula is simply the visible part of the nail matrix and isn’t something you push back, since the growth area lies beneath. So, never push back the eponychium; it’s the tissue you protect during a pedicure.