Cert III Hairdressing cheat sheet

WHS duty of care: employer must provide safe workplace, training and PPE; worker must follow procedures and report hazards.

Hazard hierarchy of control order: eliminate, substitute, isolate, engineer, administrate, then PPE last.

Chemical spills: contain with absorbent, ventilate, avoid water on acid spills, dispose per safety data sheet (SDS).

SDS must be accessible for every hazardous product; Section 2 lists hazards, Section 4 first aid, Section 8 PPE.

Electrical: test-and-tag portable equipment, RCD protection on circuits, no water near power points, report frayed cords.

Manual handling: keep load close, bend knees, avoid twisting, team-lift heavy stock, height-adjustable basin chairs.

Emergency: know fire exits, extinguisher types (CO2 for electrical), first-aid kit location, emergency numbers.

Incident reporting: record in register, notify regulator for serious incidents, worker consultation on WHS changes.

Sterilisation kills all microorganisms; disinfection reduces pathogens but may not kill spores; sanitising lowers count.

Tools contacting broken skin or blood require sterilisation (autoclave or hospital-grade chemical); single-use items discarded.

Standard precautions apply to all clients: treat all blood and body fluids as infectious regardless of appearance.

Hand washing: wet, soap, scrub 20 seconds including wrists and between fingers, rinse, dry with disposable towel.

Capes, towels and gowns laundered after each client at minimum 60°C; soiled linen bagged separately.

Clippers and scissors disinfected between clients; blades oiled after immersion; combs cleaned of hair first.

Blood exposure: wear gloves, clean wound, cover, disinfect tools and surfaces, document and seek medical advice.

Salon surfaces: workstations, basins and trolleys cleaned at end of each service; waste bins lidded and emptied daily.

Consultation sequence: greet, gather personal details, discuss hair history, analyse hair and scalp, agree plan, confirm cost, record.

Hair analysis factors: density, texture, porosity, elasticity, condition, scalp type, previous chemical services.

Patch test required 48 hours before colour or lightener on new clients; record result and date on client card.

Contraindications: open wounds, scalp infection, recent chemical burn, known allergy, pregnancy caution for some chemicals.

Communication: open questions, active listening, paraphrasing to confirm understanding, avoid jargon, check consent.

Service plan records desired outcome, products, timings, developer strengths, cost, aftercare and review date.

Cross-infection risk questions: recent head lice, ringworm, cold sores, skin conditions - defer service if infectious.

Client records kept confidential; disclose only with consent or legal requirement.

Water temperature 37-40°C; too hot strips oils and aggravates scalp; too cold reduces cleansing.

Shampoo selection: clarifying for buildup, moisturising for dry hair, medicated for dandruff, sulphate-free for coloured hair.

Massage movements: effleurage, petrissage, tapotement; avoid vigorous massage on inflamed or broken scalp.

Conditioner applied mid-lengths to ends, avoiding scalp; rinse thoroughly to prevent buildup and limpness.

Deep treatment timing follows manufacturer instructions; heat cap increases penetration; rinse cool to close cuticle.

Scalp treatments: identify dry, oily, dandruff or sensitive scalp; medicated products require manufacturer contact time.

Towel dry by blotting and pressing, not rubbing, to reduce friction and cuticle damage.

Contraindications: recent chemical burn, ringworm, lice, open lesions - refer to medical professional.

Cutting angles: 0° one length, 45° graduated, 90° uniform layer, 180° long layer; elevation determines shape.

Tension control: consistent sectioning and even tension prevent uneven lines; check balance across both sides.

Sectioning: centre part, horizontal and vertical sections, subsection width no wider than blade length.

Blunt cut creates weight line; point cutting softens; notching and slithering reduce bulk; texturising adds movement.

Men's cutting: clipper-over-comb for blending, taper at nape, guideline set then work upward and across.

Scissor-over-comb and freehand clipper work require guard lengths; check against client's desired length.

Cross-checking: comb hair in opposite direction to reveal missed lengths before finishing.

Dry cutting and point cutting on dry hair allow visual checking of shape and weight distribution.

Colour wheel: opposite colours neutralise; blue cancels orange, violet cancels yellow, green cancels red.

Developer strengths: 10 vol (3%) deposit, 20 vol (6%) deposit/one level lift, 30 vol (9%) two-three levels, 40 vol (12%) maximum lift.

Natural level 1-10 scale; underlying pigment at each level: level 1 red-brown, level 5 red-orange, level 7 orange, level 9 yellow.

Patch test 48 hours before service; strand test for unknown hair history or high-lift work.

Lightening: apply to mid-lengths and ends first, roots last due to heat; do not exceed manufacturer processing time.

Toning after lightening uses low-volume developer to deposit and neutralise unwanted warmth.

Grey coverage: use natural series, allow 100% grey formula; resistant grey may need pre-softening.

Strand test and record formula: brand, shade, developer, ratio, timing, result - essential for repeat services.

Perm process: pre-test, wind, saturate with waving lotion, process, rinse, blot, neutralise, rinse, condition.

Winding tension and rod size determine curl: smaller rods tighter curl, larger rods looser wave; even tension prevents spotting.

Processing time depends on hair porosity and product strength; check curl development every few minutes.

Neutraliser rebuilds disulfide bonds; must fully saturate each rod and remain per manufacturer time.

Relaxers and straighteners: base scalp, apply to new growth first, avoid overlapping, do not exceed timing.

Contraindications: hair with metallic salts, recent bleach, damaged or broken hair, scalp abrasions.

Strand test and patch test mandatory; record product, strength, timing and result.

Aftercare: wait 48-72 hours before shampooing, use sulphate-free products, avoid heat styling immediately.

Blow-drying: rough dry to 80% then section and direct airflow from root to tip to smooth cuticle.

Nozzle concentrates airflow for smoothing; diffuser disperses heat for curls and reduces frizz.

Heat protection products reduce thermal damage; keep dryer moving to prevent hot spots and burns.

Styling products: mousse for volume, gel for hold, wax for texture, serum for shine, hairspray for finish.

Setting techniques: rollers for volume and curl, pin curls for soft waves, hot tools for defined curl.

Up-styling: section, backcomb for volume, secure with pins, balance shape against face shape.

Finishing check: balance, symmetry, client satisfaction, product recommendation and photograph with consent.

Clean tools and sanitise hot tools between clients; check cords and heat settings before use.

Stock control: rotate stock, check expiry dates, record usage, reorder at minimum levels; store chemicals away from heat.

Product dilution and ratio accuracy affect results and safety; measure with supplied scoops or scales, never estimate.

Sustainability: refill and bulk purchase, recycle packaging, reduce water and energy use, dispose chemicals correctly.

Waste segregation: chemical waste, general waste and recycling separated; never pour chemicals down drains.

Retail sales: recommend based on hair analysis, explain benefits, record purchase for follow-up.

Appointment scheduling: allow processing time, buffer for consultation, record client preferences.

Financial basics: service cost includes product, time, overheads and profit margin.

Equipment maintenance: clean and service tools, replace blades and cords when worn, log maintenance.

Professional boundaries: maintain confidentiality, avoid personal social media contact, respect client autonomy.

Team communication: handover notes, clear task allocation, respectful feedback, escalate concerns to supervisor.

Industry bodies and regulation: state/territory health regulations, fair trading, privacy principles, code of conduct.

Continuing professional development: attend training, update skills, follow new product information and SDS.

Grievance and complaint handling: listen, acknowledge, investigate, resolve and record outcome.

Scope of practice: refer medical scalp conditions, allergic reactions and complex colour corrections to qualified professionals.

Client confidentiality: store records securely, share only with consent, retain per legal requirements.

Workplace rights: fair pay, safe conditions, no discrimination or harassment, right to refuse unsafe work.