AK Esthetician key terms

The basic cleaning step that physically removes visible dirt, oil, and debris from tools, hands, or surfaces using soap and water before any deeper germ-killing step is performed.

The use of a chemical product registered to destroy most harmful microorganisms on nonporous implements and surfaces after they have been cleaned, without necessarily killing bacterial spores.

A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, usually by autoclave or other approved method; it exceeds disinfection but is not required for most routine esthetic tools.

A number assigned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirming that a disinfectant product has been reviewed and approved for the claims printed on its label.

A disinfectant meeting EPA standards for killing a broad range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, and the category generally required for esthetic implements in licensed settings.

The length of time an implement or surface must stay wet with disinfectant for the product to work as labeled; tools removed early are not considered properly disinfected.

A device that uses pressurized steam to sterilize metal implements and other heat-tolerant items, killing spores and all other microorganisms when operated correctly.

A safety practice of treating all blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious and using gloves, barriers, and hand hygiene with every client regardless of appearance.

An infection-control approach combining hand hygiene, gloves, and barriers with safe handling of sharps and contaminated items, applied to every client encounter to reduce transmission risk.

Barrier items worn by the practitioner, such as disposable gloves, eye protection, and aprons, that shield skin, eyes, and clothing from chemicals, blood, and other potentially infectious material.

A distinction between items that absorb liquids and cannot be reliably disinfected, such as wood or sponges, and smooth items like metal or glass that can be cleaned and disinfected properly.

A product or tool designed to be used on one client only and then discarded, such as a disposable spatula, cotton swab, or lancet, never reused or disinfected for another person.

The body system made up of skin, hair, nails, and associated glands that forms the protective outer covering and helps regulate temperature and sensation.

The outermost, thinnest layer of skin, built of stratified epithelial cells, which provides a waterproof barrier and contains no blood vessels.

The topmost layer of the epidermis, composed of flattened, keratin-filled dead cells that limit water loss and shield deeper tissue from injury and irritants.

The thicker middle layer of skin beneath the epidermis that holds collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and glands, giving skin strength and flexibility.

A fibrous protein in the dermis that gives skin its firmness and structural support; its breakdown over time contributes to sagging and fine lines.

A stretchy protein fiber in the dermis that lets skin spring back after being pulled or stretched; damage to it leads to looseness and wrinkles.

A sweat-producing gland located in the dermis that releases moisture to the skin surface through a pore and helps cool the body.

An oil-producing gland attached to a hair follicle that secretes sebum, which lubricates skin and hair and can contribute to clogged pores when overactive.

The oily substance released by sebaceous glands that coats the skin, retains moisture, and mixes with dead cells to form the basis of comedones.

Broad categories describing a client's baseline skin condition, commonly normal, dry, oily, and combination, used to choose appropriate cleansing and moisturizing products.

A temporary or treatable state of the skin such as dehydration, sensitivity, acne, or sun damage, which is evaluated separately from the client's permanent skin type.

The central area of the face covering the forehead, nose, and chin, which tends to be oilier than the cheeks and is a key observation in combination skin.

A clogged pore formed when sebum and dead skin cells block a follicle; it is called open when the surface darkens and closed when it stays covered by skin.

An inflammatory condition of the follicles marked by comedones, papules, or pustules; active inflamed lesions are generally avoided during facial treatments.

Skin that reacts with redness, stinging, or irritation to products or friction, often from over-exfoliation or harsh ingredients, and needs gentle, minimal product use.

Any condition, medication, or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or inadvisable for a client, requiring the service to be modified, postponed, or declined.

The intake conversation and record-keeping step before a service in which the practitioner reviews health history, medications, allergies, and goals to plan a safe treatment.

A small application of a product on a discreet area of skin, observed for a period before full use, to check whether a client will react to it.

The manual removal of comedones or built-up sebum from a pore using gentle pressure and covered fingers, performed only on suitable lesions after softening the skin.

The removal of dead surface cells by mechanical scrubbing or chemical agents to smooth texture and brighten the skin, always matched to the client's sensitivity level.

A treatment that applies an acid solution to loosen and remove outer skin layers, producing controlled exfoliation; strength and suitability depend on skin type and history.

The active growth stage of a hair follicle, when the hair is anchored deeply and is most successfully removed by waxing or other epilation methods.

The resting stage of the hair growth cycle, when the hair is loosely held and sheds naturally; waxing during this phase may remove hair less effectively.

Hair removal that takes the entire hair, including the root below the skin surface, such as waxing or tweezing, delaying regrowth longer than surface shaving.

Hair removal that cuts hair at or just below the skin surface without pulling the root, as with shaving or chemical depilatories, so regrowth appears sooner.

A condition or medication, such as isotretinoin use, recent chemical peel, or compromised skin, that makes waxing unsafe because it can tear or injure the skin.

Reinserting a waxing applicator that has touched a client's skin back into the wax pot, which can transfer microorganisms and is prohibited in sanitary practice.

A service that curls and lifts natural lashes by setting them around a silicone shield with a lifting solution, enhancing appearance without adding extensions.

A single synthetic lash bonded to an individual natural lash with adhesive to add length or fullness, requiring careful isolation and adhesive safety practices.

The study of how colors relate and neutralize one another, used in makeup to correct undertones, such as green to calm redness or peach to hide blue tones.

Selecting a base makeup shade and undertone that blend seamlessly with a client's skin at the jawline in natural light for a natural, even finish.

A scale from 0 to 14 measuring acidity and alkalinity, where 7 is neutral; skin is slightly acidic and products outside its range can disrupt the barrier.

The slightly acidic film of sebum and sweat on the skin surface that helps suppress harmful bacteria and maintain the barrier; alkaline products can disturb it.

A blend of two liquids that do not normally mix, such as oil and water, held together by an emulsifier; many lotions and creams are emulsions.

An ingredient that attracts and holds water, drawing moisture to the skin surface to improve hydration, as glycerin and hyaluronic acid do.

An ingredient that softens and smooths skin by filling gaps between surface cells, improving flexibility, as many oils and fatty alcohols do.

An ingredient that forms a seal on the skin surface to slow water loss, such as petrolatum or dimethicone, often used in barrier creams.

A client's clear agreement to a service after being told its benefits, risks, alternatives, and aftercare, documented in the client record before the treatment begins.

A confidential file holding intake forms, consent, treatment notes, products used, and reactions, kept secure and retained as required for legal and professional purposes.

The set of services and activities a licensee is legally trained and permitted to perform, beyond which they must refer the client to another professional.

The legal authorization to practice esthetics granted by a state after meeting required training, examination, and application standards, and renewed on schedule.

The Alaska regulatory body that licenses estheticians, sets sanitation and practice standards, and handles complaints and discipline within the state.