Cert III Barbering cheat sheet

Hand hygiene: wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after each client, and between glove changes.

Disinfect vs sterilise: disinfection reduces pathogens on surfaces and tools; sterilisation destroys all microorganisms including spores and is required only for items that breach skin.

Blood and body fluid spills: wear gloves, absorb with disposable towel, clean with detergent, then disinfect with a TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant; place waste in a sealed bag.

Single-use items include razor blades, neck strips, wax spatulas and disposable gloves; multi-use items must be cleaned then disinfected between clients.

Implements that contact broken skin or blood must be cleaned, then sterilised (autoclave or heat/chemical method) before reuse.

Electrical equipment must be tested and tagged, and cords kept away from water and floor traffic; damaged cords are removed from service immediately.

Chemicals: store in labelled original containers, keep Safety Data Sheets accessible, and use gloves plus adequate ventilation when mixing colour or bleach.

Australian WHS legislation is model-based: PCBUs must consult workers, manage risk using the hierarchy of control, and record and report notifiable incidents.

Consultation sequence: greet, establish purpose, ask open questions, analyse hair and scalp, confirm plan, obtain consent, then perform service.

Hair growth phases: anagen (active growth, 2-6 years), catagen (transition, about 2 weeks), telogen (resting/shedding, about 3 months).

Hair density is classified as sparse, medium or thick; texture as fine, medium or coarse; porosity as low, normal or high.

Patch test rule: any new oxidative (peroxide-based) colour or lightener requires a patch test 48 hours before application.

Contraindications to chemical services include a positive patch test, recent reaction, broken or infected scalp, and henna or metallic salt history.

Scalp conditions to refer: persistent flaking with redness, weeping or crusting, sudden hair loss, ringworm-like patches, and unexplained itch.

Hair porosity check: high-porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly and loses it quickly; low-porosity hair resists moisture and may need longer processing.

Record keeping: document products, strengths, timings, developer volumes, client reactions and outcomes so future services are reproducible.

Water temperature for shampooing is approximately 37-40°C; hot water strips sebum and can aggravate scalp conditions.

Shampoo surfactants lift oil and debris; the lather is massaged with fingertips, never nails, in a circular motion over the scalp.

Conditioner is applied mid-length to ends, not the scalp, unless a scalp-specific product is indicated; rinse thoroughly to avoid build-up.

Massage movements: effleurage (light gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (light tapping); each increases circulation and relaxation.

Shampoo selection: clarifying for product build-up, moisturising for dry hair, medicated only when labelled for the specific scalp condition.

High-porosity or chemically treated hair benefits from a protein or moisture treatment; low-porosity hair needs lighter, water-based products.

Towel drying: blot rather than rub to reduce cuticle friction and mechanical damage; wrap and press to absorb water.

Contraindication: do not massage a scalp with active infection, open lesions or unexplained inflammation; refer to a medical practitioner.

Guard numbering: a #1 guard leaves about 3 mm, #2 about 6 mm, #3 about 10 mm, #4 about 13 mm; the blade itself cuts to skin level.

Clipper-over-comb: comb holds hair at the desired length while the clipper travels across the comb teeth, working against the growth direction.

Scissor-over-comb: hair is combed up and cut above the comb; used for blending and for lengths too long for clippers.

Sectioning: divide the head into nape, sides, top and crown; work from the perimeter inward and check balance by cross-checking.

Blending rule: cut from longer to shorter; the transition zone between clipper and scissor work should show no visible step or line.

Taper and fade: a taper leaves length at the nape and sides; a fade shortens progressively, with skin fades finishing at the skin.

Clipper maintenance: brush out hair after each use, oil blades regularly, and check blade alignment; blunt or hot blades cause pulling and irritation.

Cutting wet versus dry: wet cutting gives precise control of length; dry cutting is used for clipper work and for checking the finished shape.

Beard growth directions vary by region: neck hair grows downward, cheek hair outward and downward, moustache hair downward and outward.

Neckline rule: place the neckline about one to two finger-widths above the Adam's apple, following a natural curve, not a straight line.

Cheek line: follow the natural beard line; a common guide is a point level with the top of the ear, curved toward the moustache.

Trim against the direction of hair growth for a closer, more even result; finish with the grain for a softer edge.

Beard length is set by guard size or comb attachment, then blended from the jawline into the sideburns and up toward the cheeks.

Moustache: trim above the upper lip line, keep the philtrum clear, and check symmetry from the front and both sides.

Beard products: beard oil softens and conditions skin and hair; beard balm adds hold and shape; both are applied sparingly to damp beard.

Contraindications: avoid close trimming over moles, skin tags or active folliculitis; refer persistent redness or pustules for medical review.

Shaving order: prepare with warm water and pre-shave, apply lather, shave with the grain first, re-lather, then shave across the grain if needed.

Blade angle for a safety razor is roughly 30 degrees to the skin; excess pressure causes razor burn and cuts.

Never shave against the grain on sensitive skin or over inflamed follicles; against-grain passes raise the risk of ingrown hairs.

Skin tension: hold skin taut with the free hand to flatten contours and reduce nicks on the jaw, chin and upper lip.

Post-shave: rinse with cool water, apply an alcohol-free aftershave or soothing balm; avoid alcohol-heavy products on irritated skin.

Single-use blades are discarded after use or when dull; never share razors, and disinfect razor handles between clients.

Waxing and epilation require a patch test and must not be performed over irritated, sunburnt or broken skin or over isotretinoin-affected skin.

Pseudofolliculitis (razor bumps) is managed by shaving with the grain, exfoliating, and avoiding close repeated passes on curly hair.

Developer volumes: 10 vol (3%) deposits tone, 20 vol (6%) lifts 1-2 levels, 30 vol (9%) lifts 2-3 levels, 40 vol (12%) lifts 3-4 levels.

Oxidative colour requires a patch test 48 hours before the service; record the result in the client's file.

Strand test determines processing time and outcome on the client's own hair before the full application.

Grey coverage: use a natural base shade at or near the target level; a 1:1 ratio of colour to developer is standard for permanent colour.

Lightening: apply to mid-lengths and ends last if the scalp is warm; heat accelerates lift, so monitor closely to avoid over-processing.

Toner neutralises unwanted warmth after lightening; choose the opposite on the colour wheel (blue for orange, violet for yellow).

Do not apply oxidative colour over henna or metallic salt products; the reaction can cause unpredictable colour and hair damage.

Safety: wear gloves, avoid skin contact, keep developer away from eyes, and never store mixed colour for reuse.

Stock control: use first-in-first-out rotation, track minimum stock levels, and record expiry dates on colour and chemical products.

Product function categories: shampoo (cleanse), conditioner (smooth and protect), treatment (repair or hydrate), styling (hold and shape), finishing (set and shine).

Shampoo pH is typically 4.5-5.5 to match hair and scalp; alkaline products open the cuticle and are used before chemical services.

Retail recommendation rule: match the product to the diagnosed hair or scalp need, explain the benefit, and never promise a medical outcome.

Booking and timing: allow extra time for colour, lightening and patch-test consults; record the service duration for accurate scheduling.

Point-of-sale: record the service, product and operator; reconcile cash and card takings at close of business.

Confidentiality: client records, contact details and health information are stored securely and not shared without consent.

Pricing: quote before the service begins and disclose additional charges for extra product or time before proceeding.

Open questions begin with what, how or why and gather information; closed questions confirm yes/no details such as timing or consent.

Active listening: paraphrase the client's words back, confirm understanding, and ask a clarifying question before starting the service.

Body language: face the client, maintain comfortable eye contact, keep arms uncrossed, and mirror a relaxed posture.

Service standard sequence: greeting within a set time, consultation, service, aftercare advice, rebooking invitation and farewell.

Complaint handling: listen without interrupting, acknowledge the concern, apologise for the experience, resolve or escalate, and follow up.

Teamwork: communicate handover details, respect allocated tasks, and escalate delays to the supervisor rather than to the client.

Confidentiality and privacy: do not discuss a client's information in the salon floor area or on social media.

Cultural safety: ask how the client prefers to be addressed and check before touching the head or face.

Waste segregation: place general waste, recyclables, chemical waste and sharps in separate labelled bins.

Colour and chemical waste must not be poured down the drain; follow local council and Safety Data Sheet disposal instructions.

Water efficiency: turn off taps between rinses, use low-flow shower heads, and use the minimum water needed for each service.

Energy efficiency: switch off clippers, dryers and lights when not in use, and maintain equipment so it runs efficiently.

Reduce single-use waste by choosing reusable capes and towels, and wash full loads rather than partial loads.

Hair waste can be diverted to recycling programs that collect clippings for absorption or composting rather than landfill.

Product dilution: measure concentrate accurately to avoid overuse, and buy refill sizes where available to reduce packaging.

Record keeping: track energy, water and waste volumes to identify where the salon can reduce consumption.