AK Barber flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Sterilization

The complete destruction of all microbial life, including bacterial spores, usually achieved with an autoclave. It is required for items that contact broken skin or blood.

Disinfection

The process of killing most pathogenic microorganisms on nonporous surfaces using an EPA-registered product at its labeled dilution and contact time.

Standard precautions

Infection-control practice that treats all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, requiring gloves and barriers for every client regardless of known health status.

Single-use items

Porous or disposable implements such as razor blades, neck strips, and cotton that cannot be disinfected and must be discarded after one client.

Hard water

Water containing dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals that reduce lather, leave soap scum, and can dull color or shampoo results.

pH scale

A 0-14 measure of hydrogen ion concentration; 7 is neutral, below 7 acidic, above 7 alkaline. The scale is logarithmic, so each unit is a tenfold change.

Effleurage

A gliding, light massage movement used during shampooing to spread product and relax the scalp without dragging or pulling the hair.

Elevation

The angle at which hair is held away from the head during cutting; 0 degrees builds weight, 90 degrees is uniform, and 180 degrees removes weight.

Graduation

A cutting technique where hair is elevated between 0 and 90 degrees so length stacks and weight builds toward the perimeter of the shape.

Cross-checking

Verifying a haircut by combing and cutting the hair at a 90-degree angle from the opposite parting to confirm balance and symmetry.

Reference points

Anatomical landmarks such as the parietal ridge, occipital bone, apex, and nape that guide sectioning, balance, and consistent haircut results.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae

Razor bumps caused by tightly curled hair re-entering the skin after shaving, producing inflammation; a shave-free or single-pass technique is preferred.

Styptic powder

A coagulant applied to a small shaving nick to stop minor bleeding; contaminated blades are discarded and never reused on another client.

Neckline placement

The line where a beard ends on the neck, typically set just above the Adam's apple or along the natural jaw line for a balanced shape.

Developer volume

The strength of hydrogen peroxide used in color; 10 volume deposits, 20 lifts one to two levels, and 30 or 40 lifts more with greater scalp risk.

Complementary colors

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as violet and yellow or blue and orange, used to neutralize unwanted tones in hair color.

Patch test

A small application of color product to the skin, usually 24 to 48 hours before service, to detect an allergic reaction before full application.

Strand test

A test on a small section of hair to predict how color or lightener will process and to determine timing before the full service.

Disulfide bonds

Strong chemical bonds between sulfur atoms in the cortex that give hair its shape; permanent waves and relaxers break and reform them.

Neutralizer

An oxidizing solution applied after a permanent wave to rebuild disulfide bonds, restore the hair's shape, and lower the pH of the hair.

Test curl

A check during permanent waving in which a rod is unwound slightly to confirm the desired wave pattern has formed before rinsing.

Cortex

The middle layer of the hair, containing melanin pigment and the disulfide bonds that determine strength, elasticity, and curl.

Anagen phase

The active growth phase of the hair cycle, during which cells in the follicle divide and new hair is produced.

Sebaceous gland

A gland attached to the hair follicle that secretes sebum, which lubricates the hair and skin and helps retain moisture.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, a thin protective barrier that contains no blood vessels and continually renews itself.

Surfactant

A molecule with a water-loving head and oil-loving tail that lowers surface tension and allows water to lift oil and debris from hair.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction that adds oxygen or removes electrons; in hair color, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes melanin and develops the color molecules.

Ammonia

An alkaline agent in permanent color that swells the cuticle and raises pH so pigment can enter the cortex; it causes the product's odor.

Emulsion

A mixture of two liquids that do not normally combine, such as oil and water, held together by an emulsifying agent.

Sharps container

A puncture-resistant, labeled container used to dispose of single-use razor blades and other sharp items that could carry bloodborne pathogens.

Clipper maintenance

Regular cleaning of hair debris from blades, oiling the cutting head, and disinfecting the tool between clients to keep it running safely.

Alaska barber license

A credential issued by the state Board of Barbers and Hairdressers after completing an approved training program and passing written and practical exams.