AK Cosmetology study plan
AK Cosmetology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Hair Care and Hairdressing & Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety
Map the Domain 1 blueprint into a one-page checklist of haircutting, styling, and wet-hair service subtopics
Define each sanitation term (cleaning, disinfection, sterilization) in your own words and match it to one tool or surface in a salon
Practice labeling the head into sections and subsections on paper until you can do it without a reference
Write out the tool list for a basic haircut and state the required sanitation step between clients for each
Your checkpoint
A two-page reference sheet: sanitation vocabulary table plus a labeled head-sectioning diagram
Hair Care and Hairdressing & Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders of Hair and Skin
Explain the layers of the hair shaft and follicle and connect each layer to a service behavior (e.g., why overlapping color matters)
Compare the four basic haircutting elevations and describe the result of each on a drawn figure
Identify the phases of hair growth and match each to a practical implication for chemical services
Self-quiz on hair growth and structure terms until you score 90% or better
Your checkpoint
A scored 25-question self-quiz on hair structure and growth with corrections written for every missed item
Hair Care and Hairdressing & Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety
Sequence a full shampoo, condition, and blow-dry service in writing, including client consultation and draping steps
List at least ten safety hazards in a salon and write the control for each
Demonstrate (or verbally rehearse) proper hand-washing, glove use, and tool disinfection in order
Compare the correct disinfectant type and contact time for implements, linens, and work surfaces
Your checkpoint
A written step-by-step service protocol for shampoo and blow-dry that embeds sanitation at every stage
Chemical Services (Permanent Waving, Relaxing, Coloring)
Diagram the permanent wave process from wrapping to neutralization and label what each chemical step does to the hair
Differentiate relaxer types and state the safety check performed before each
Explain the color wheel and predict the outcome of at least five color-correction scenarios
Identify the signs of a scalp or skin reaction during a chemical service and state the required response
Your checkpoint
A chemical services comparison chart covering waving, relaxing, and coloring with process steps and key safety checks
Chemical Services (Permanent Waving, Relaxing, Coloring) & Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety
Rehearse the client consultation and patch-test conversation for a first-time color client
Write the correct mixing, application, and timing sequence for a single-process color and a virgin relaxer
List the required protective equipment and ventilation practices for each chemical service
Explain how to handle a chemical spill, burn, or eye exposure, step by step
Your checkpoint
A one-page emergency and safety card for chemical services, written from memory and checked against your notes
Nail Care and Services & Skin Care and Esthetics
Outline the nail structure and match each part to a service implication (e.g., cuticle care, filing direction)
Sequence a basic manicure, pedicure, and artificial-nail service with sanitation between each step
Identify common nail and skin disorders and state which require referral rather than service
Describe the layers of the skin and the basic facial steps, including product selection by skin type
Your checkpoint
A side-by-side reference for nail and skin services listing structure, steps, and referral conditions
Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders of Hair and Skin & Nail Care and Services & Skin Care and Esthetics
Build a flashcard set of at least 40 anatomy and disorder terms and drill until recall is 90% or better
Match each disorder on your flashcard set to a contraindication or service restriction
Practice distinguishing contagious from non-contagious conditions in ten short scenarios
Review skin and nail anatomy diagrams until you can redraw the key labels from memory
Your checkpoint
A completed flashcard set with a recorded drill score of 90% or better
Alaska Laws, Rules, and Professional Ethics & Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety & Hair Care and Hairdressing & Chemical Services (Permanent Waving, Relaxing, Coloring)
Summarize Alaska licensing, sanitation, and scope-of-practice rules in your own outline
Apply the ethics and professional-conduct standards to five short workplace scenarios
Complete two timed mixed-domain practice sets and log every missed item by domain
Re-drill your weakest domain until the missed-item count drops by at least half
Your checkpoint
A timed 100-question mixed practice exam with a domain-by-domain error log and a written remediation list
Milestones
Week 2: Score 90% or better on the hair structure and growth self-quiz and have a labeled head-sectioning diagram on file
Week 4: Explain the permanent wave, relaxer, and color processes aloud from memory without notes, and pass a 20-question chemical services quiz at 85% or better
Week 6: Complete the nail and skin reference sheet and correctly classify ten disorder scenarios as serviceable or referral
Week 8: Score 80% or better on the timed 100-question mixed practice exam with no single domain below 70%