Cert III Hairdressing flashcards

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

Hierarchy of control

Ranking of hazard controls from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering, administration, then personal protective equipment last.

Safety data sheet

Document supplied with hazardous chemicals listing hazards, first aid, handling, storage, PPE and disposal information; must be accessible in the salon.

RCD

Residual current device that cuts power when electrical leakage is detected, protecting workers from electric shock in wet salon environments.

Sterilisation

Process that destroys all microorganisms including spores, required for tools contaminated with blood or contacting broken skin.

Disinfection

Use of chemical agents to reduce pathogens on surfaces and tools; may not kill bacterial spores, so differs from sterilisation.

Standard precautions

Infection control approach treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using gloves and hygiene measures for every client.

Patch test

Small application of colour or chemical product to skin, assessed after 48 hours to detect allergic reaction before full service.

Hair porosity

Ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture; high porosity absorbs quickly but loses moisture, affecting chemical service timing and product choice.

Contraindication

Condition or circumstance making a service unsafe or inadvisable, such as open wounds, infection or known allergy, requiring referral or deferral.

Effleurage

Light, gliding massage stroke used in scalp treatments to relax muscles and improve circulation without irritating the scalp.

Clarifying shampoo

Shampoo that removes product buildup and minerals; used before chemical services but can strip colour if overused.

Cuticle

Outer protective layer of the hair shaft; when smooth it reflects light, when raised hair feels rough and appears dull.

Elevation

Angle at which hair is held from the head during cutting; determines the amount of graduation, layering or length retained.

Guideline

First cut section establishing the reference length from which subsequent sections are measured for balance and consistency.

Point cutting

Cutting technique using scissor tips into the ends to soften a line, reduce weight and create texture without changing overall length.

Cross-checking

Combing hair in the opposite direction to the cut to reveal uneven lengths or missed sections before finishing the style.

Underlying pigment

Natural warmth exposed when hair is lightened, ranging from red to yellow, which must be neutralised or accounted for in colour formulation.

Developer volume

Strength of hydrogen peroxide determining lift and deposit; 10 volume deposits, 20 lifts one level, 30 lifts two to three levels.

Strand test

Test on a small hair section to predict colour or chemical result, processing time and hair reaction before full application.

Grey coverage

Formulation approach using natural series shades to cover unpigmented hair, often requiring full grey formula and adequate processing time.

Neutraliser

Product applied after rinsing waving lotion that rebuilds disulfide bonds and sets the new curl shape permanently.

Rod size

Diameter of perm rod controlling curl tightness; smaller rods produce tighter curls and larger rods produce looser waves.

Relaxer

Strong alkaline or ammonium thioglycolate product that straightens curly hair by breaking and reforming disulfide bonds.

Diffuser

Blow-dryer attachment that spreads airflow over a wider area to dry curls gently and reduce frizz and disturbance.

Backcombing

Teasing hair toward the scalp with a comb to create volume and support in up-styling before smoothing the surface.

Thermal protection

Product applied before heat styling that coats hair to reduce moisture loss and damage from dryers and irons.

Stock rotation

Practice of using oldest stock first and checking expiry dates to prevent waste and ensure product effectiveness.

Chemical waste disposal

Correct method of disposing of leftover colour, bleach and chemical products according to safety data sheets and local regulations, never down drains.

Service cost

Total charge for a service calculated from product use, staff time, overheads and profit margin to ensure salon viability.

Scope of practice

Range of services a hairdresser is trained and legally permitted to perform, with referral to medical or specialist professionals beyond it.

Confidentiality

Professional obligation to keep client personal and service information private, storing records securely and sharing only with consent.

Continuing professional development

Ongoing training and learning that maintains and updates skills, product knowledge and industry currency throughout a career.