PSI Texas State Board Nail Tech Practice Exam

To determine whether a nail enhancement product has cured properly, the characteristic of being hard and no longer tacky to the touch is key. When a nail enhancement product, such as acrylic or gel, has cured correctly, it undergoes a chemical transformation that makes it solid and firm. This hardness indicates that the polymers in the product have fully reacted and created a stable structure.

Additionally, when the product is no longer tacky, it shows that any remaining unreacted components or excess product that might cause stickiness has adequately reacted during the curing process. This ensures that the nails are ready for filing, shaping, and additional finishing touches without the risk of damage or issues related to incomplete curing.

The options related to the product being soft and sticky, having a strong chemical smell, or changing color do not indicate proper curing. Softness and stickiness suggest that the material has not set, while a strong smell often indicates ongoing reactions or volatile compounds being released. Color change can occur in some products but is not a reliable indicator of proper curing. Thus, the tactile feedback of hardness and lack of tackiness reliably indicates that the nail enhancement is ready and properly cured.