How to Determine Toenail Type – Step-by-Step Guide from MONLIS School

Determining the toenail type is a fundamental step for every professional pedicure. Only by identifying the correct nail type can suitable care products, tools, and techniques be selected. At the MONLIS School in Munich, the leading academy for manicure and pedicure, students learn why this knowledge is essential for their daily work. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to properly determine the toenail type.

Why Is Determining Toenail Type Important?

Toenails differ significantly from fingernails – they grow more slowly, bear heavier loads, and often show structural variations. Improper handling can lead to issues such as brittleness, thickening, ingrown nails, or discoloration. By analyzing toenail type correctly, you can:

prevent unnecessary damage,
create personalized care plans,
maintain healthy and well-groomed nails in the long term.

Step-by-Step Guide to Determining Toenail Type

1. Visual Analysis

Start by carefully observing the toenails. Look at:

Shape: round, oval, rectangular, or irregular.
Color: healthy nails are pink to slightly translucent; discolorations indicate stress or potential health issues.
Thickness: thin, normal, or significantly thickened.

2. Check the Structure

Feel the nail surface:

Smooth nails: generally healthy and easy to care for.
Ridges or uneven surfaces: may indicate deficiencies or improper care.
Brittleness: often linked to lack of moisture or tight shoes.

3. Assess Growth Speed

Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails – around 1 to 1.5 mm per month. Check whether the growth is even or irregular.

4. Examine Surrounding Skin and Nail Bed

The surrounding skin provides important clues:

Healthy cuticle: soft, elastic, without cracks.
Thickened skin or calluses: often caused by pressure or unsuitable footwear.
Signs of ingrowth: redness, pain, or swelling on the nail edges.

5. Classify Nail Types

Based on your observations, toenails can be grouped into:

Normal nails: smooth, even, with no abnormalities.
Thin nails: brittle, sensitive, needing strengthening care.
Thick nails: resilient but prone to pressure and ingrowth.
Ridged nails: with visible vertical or horizontal lines, requiring gentle care.
Problematic nails: severely discolored, thickened, or deformed – professional or medical attention may be necessary.

Professional Tips from MONLIS School Munich

Choose tailored care products: Strengthening polishes for thin nails, specialized files and treatments for thick nails.
Use the right tools: Each nail type requires specific instruments. At MONLIS School, students learn how to handle them professionally.
Correct cutting technique: Toenails should never be cut too short and always kept straight to avoid ingrown nails.
Regular analysis: Nail condition changes with lifestyle, nutrition, and external influences – regular checks are essential.
Hygiene is key: Clean, safe work practices protect against infections and ensure optimal results.

Determining toenail type is the foundation of a safe and effective pedicure. By distinguishing between thin, thick, or problematic nails, professionals can provide personalized care and deliver the best results.

At the MONLIS School in Munich, you don’t just learn the theory – you practice it step by step. This ensures you become a confident pedicure specialist equipped with both knowledge and hands-on experience.

Determining the toenail type is a fundamental step for every professional pedicure. Only by identifying the correct nail type can suitable care products, tools, and techniques be selected. At the MONLIS School in Munich, the leading academy for manicure and pedicure, students learn why this knowledge is essential for their daily work. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to properly determine the toenail type.

Why Is Determining Toenail Type Important?

Toenails differ significantly from fingernails – they grow more slowly, bear heavier loads, and often show structural variations. Improper handling can lead to issues such as brittleness, thickening, ingrown nails, or discoloration. By analyzing toenail type correctly, you can:

prevent unnecessary damage,
create personalized care plans,
maintain healthy and well-groomed nails in the long term.

Step-by-Step Guide to Determining Toenail Type

1. Visual Analysis

Start by carefully observing the toenails. Look at:

Shape: round, oval, rectangular, or irregular.
Color: healthy nails are pink to slightly translucent; discolorations indicate stress or potential health issues.
Thickness: thin, normal, or significantly thickened.

2. Check the Structure

Feel the nail surface:

Smooth nails: generally healthy and easy to care for.
Ridges or uneven surfaces: may indicate deficiencies or improper care.
Brittleness: often linked to lack of moisture or tight shoes.

3. Assess Growth Speed

Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails – around 1 to 1.5 mm per month. Check whether the growth is even or irregular.

4. Examine Surrounding Skin and Nail Bed

The surrounding skin provides important clues:

Healthy cuticle: soft, elastic, without cracks.
Thickened skin or calluses: often caused by pressure or unsuitable footwear.
Signs of ingrowth: redness, pain, or swelling on the nail edges.

5. Classify Nail Types

Based on your observations, toenails can be grouped into:

Normal nails: smooth, even, with no abnormalities.
Thin nails: brittle, sensitive, needing strengthening care.
Thick nails: resilient but prone to pressure and ingrowth.
Ridged nails: with visible vertical or horizontal lines, requiring gentle care.
Problematic nails: severely discolored, thickened, or deformed – professional or medical attention may be necessary.

Professional Tips from MONLIS School Munich

Choose tailored care products: Strengthening polishes for thin nails, specialized files and treatments for thick nails.
Use the right tools: Each nail type requires specific instruments. At MONLIS School, students learn how to handle them professionally.
Correct cutting technique: Toenails should never be cut too short and always kept straight to avoid ingrown nails.
Regular analysis: Nail condition changes with lifestyle, nutrition, and external influences – regular checks are essential.
Hygiene is key: Clean, safe work practices protect against infections and ensure optimal results.

Determining toenail type is the foundation of a safe and effective pedicure. By distinguishing between thin, thick, or problematic nails, professionals can provide personalized care and deliver the best results.

At the MONLIS School in Munich, you don’t just learn the theory – you practice it step by step. This ensures you become a confident pedicure specialist equipped with both knowledge and hands-on experience.

Determining the toenail type is a fundamental step for every professional pedicure. Only by identifying the correct nail type can suitable care products, tools, and techniques be selected. At the MONLIS School in Munich, the leading academy for manicure and pedicure, students learn why this knowledge is essential for their daily work. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to properly determine the toenail type.

Why Is Determining Toenail Type Important?

Toenails differ significantly from fingernails – they grow more slowly, bear heavier loads, and often show structural variations. Improper handling can lead to issues such as brittleness, thickening, ingrown nails, or discoloration. By analyzing toenail type correctly, you can:

prevent unnecessary damage,
create personalized care plans,
maintain healthy and well-groomed nails in the long term.

Step-by-Step Guide to Determining Toenail Type

1. Visual Analysis

Start by carefully observing the toenails. Look at:

Shape: round, oval, rectangular, or irregular.
Color: healthy nails are pink to slightly translucent; discolorations indicate stress or potential health issues.
Thickness: thin, normal, or significantly thickened.

2. Check the Structure

Feel the nail surface:

Smooth nails: generally healthy and easy to care for.
Ridges or uneven surfaces: may indicate deficiencies or improper care.
Brittleness: often linked to lack of moisture or tight shoes.

3. Assess Growth Speed

Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails – around 1 to 1.5 mm per month. Check whether the growth is even or irregular.

4. Examine Surrounding Skin and Nail Bed

The surrounding skin provides important clues:

Healthy cuticle: soft, elastic, without cracks.
Thickened skin or calluses: often caused by pressure or unsuitable footwear.
Signs of ingrowth: redness, pain, or swelling on the nail edges.

5. Classify Nail Types

Based on your observations, toenails can be grouped into:

Normal nails: smooth, even, with no abnormalities.
Thin nails: brittle, sensitive, needing strengthening care.
Thick nails: resilient but prone to pressure and ingrowth.
Ridged nails: with visible vertical or horizontal lines, requiring gentle care.
Problematic nails: severely discolored, thickened, or deformed – professional or medical attention may be necessary.

Professional Tips from MONLIS School Munich

Choose tailored care products: Strengthening polishes for thin nails, specialized files and treatments for thick nails.
Use the right tools: Each nail type requires specific instruments. At MONLIS School, students learn how to handle them professionally.
Correct cutting technique: Toenails should never be cut too short and always kept straight to avoid ingrown nails.
Regular analysis: Nail condition changes with lifestyle, nutrition, and external influences – regular checks are essential.
Hygiene is key: Clean, safe work practices protect against infections and ensure optimal results.

Determining toenail type is the foundation of a safe and effective pedicure. By distinguishing between thin, thick, or problematic nails, professionals can provide personalized care and deliver the best results.

At the MONLIS School in Munich, you don’t just learn the theory – you practice it step by step. This ensures you become a confident pedicure specialist equipped with both knowledge and hands-on experience.

Determining the toenail type is a fundamental step for every professional pedicure. Only by identifying the correct nail type can suitable care products, tools, and techniques be selected. At the MONLIS School in Munich, the leading academy for manicure and pedicure, students learn why this knowledge is essential for their daily work. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to properly determine the toenail type.

Why Is Determining Toenail Type Important?

Toenails differ significantly from fingernails – they grow more slowly, bear heavier loads, and often show structural variations. Improper handling can lead to issues such as brittleness, thickening, ingrown nails, or discoloration. By analyzing toenail type correctly, you can:

prevent unnecessary damage,
create personalized care plans,
maintain healthy and well-groomed nails in the long term.

Step-by-Step Guide to Determining Toenail Type

1. Visual Analysis

Start by carefully observing the toenails. Look at:

Shape: round, oval, rectangular, or irregular.
Color: healthy nails are pink to slightly translucent; discolorations indicate stress or potential health issues.
Thickness: thin, normal, or significantly thickened.

2. Check the Structure

Feel the nail surface:

Smooth nails: generally healthy and easy to care for.
Ridges or uneven surfaces: may indicate deficiencies or improper care.
Brittleness: often linked to lack of moisture or tight shoes.

3. Assess Growth Speed

Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails – around 1 to 1.5 mm per month. Check whether the growth is even or irregular.

4. Examine Surrounding Skin and Nail Bed

The surrounding skin provides important clues:

Healthy cuticle: soft, elastic, without cracks.
Thickened skin or calluses: often caused by pressure or unsuitable footwear.
Signs of ingrowth: redness, pain, or swelling on the nail edges.

5. Classify Nail Types

Based on your observations, toenails can be grouped into:

Normal nails: smooth, even, with no abnormalities.
Thin nails: brittle, sensitive, needing strengthening care.
Thick nails: resilient but prone to pressure and ingrowth.
Ridged nails: with visible vertical or horizontal lines, requiring gentle care.
Problematic nails: severely discolored, thickened, or deformed – professional or medical attention may be necessary.

Professional Tips from MONLIS School Munich

Choose tailored care products: Strengthening polishes for thin nails, specialized files and treatments for thick nails.
Use the right tools: Each nail type requires specific instruments. At MONLIS School, students learn how to handle them professionally.
Correct cutting technique: Toenails should never be cut too short and always kept straight to avoid ingrown nails.
Regular analysis: Nail condition changes with lifestyle, nutrition, and external influences – regular checks are essential.
Hygiene is key: Clean, safe work practices protect against infections and ensure optimal results.

Determining toenail type is the foundation of a safe and effective pedicure. By distinguishing between thin, thick, or problematic nails, professionals can provide personalized care and deliver the best results.

At the MONLIS School in Munich, you don’t just learn the theory – you practice it step by step. This ensures you become a confident pedicure specialist equipped with both knowledge and hands-on experience.