Which approach best ensures you avoid hitting the quick during nail trimming?

• A. Trim in large increments
• B. Cut across nails straight down
• C. Observe the quick and cut at a slight angle
• D. Use dull clippers

Answer: (C)

Focusing on control and feedback from the nail itself. By watching where the quick ends and trimming with a slight angle along the nail’s curve, you create a safe margin and reduce the chance of nicking the quick. The quick is living tissue inside the nail, and a straight, deep cut or cutting in large chunks makes it easy to overshoot. Angling the cut helps you follow the nail’s shape and stop before reaching the quick, which is especially important when the quick isn’t easily visible in darker nails. If the quick isn’t obvious, take tiny amounts and continue to angle your cut, using the observed boundary as your guide.