Cert III Hairdressing key terms

The legal and ethical responsibility of everyone in the salon to take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of themselves, colleagues and clients, including reporting hazards and following safe work procedures.

The process of spotting anything in the salon that could cause harm, such as a trailing cord, a wet floor or a faulty appliance, so it can be fixed or reported before an injury happens.

The steps taken to remove or reduce a hazard, applied in order of preference: eliminate the risk, substitute it, use engineering controls, then administrative controls and finally personal protective equipment.

Items worn to protect the worker from harm, such as disposable gloves, aprons, safety glasses and closed non-slip shoes, chosen for the task and used and removed correctly.

A document supplied with a chemical product that lists its hazards, safe handling and storage requirements, first aid measures and spill response, and which must be kept accessible in the workplace.

Using safe body mechanics, such as bending the knees and keeping loads close, when lifting, lowering, pushing or pulling objects like stock boxes or adjustable chairs to avoid musculoskeletal injury.

A work setup adjusted to suit the individual, including correct chair and basin height, good posture and anti-fatigue matting, to reduce strain on the back, neck, shoulders and wrists.

Routine infection-control practices applied to every client regardless of known health status, including hand hygiene, gloves, clean equipment and safe handling of blood and body fluids.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser at key moments, such as before and after each client and after removing gloves, to stop the spread of microorganisms.

The transfer of harmful microorganisms from one person, surface or tool to another, for example by reusing an uncleaned comb or sharing a towel between clients.

Using a chemical agent to destroy or reduce harmful microorganisms on tools and surfaces after cleaning, such as soaking implements in an approved disinfectant for the time stated on the label.

A process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on implements, typically using an autoclave, and is required for tools that may contact broken skin or blood.

Placing used razor blades, needles or broken glass into a rigid, labelled sharps container rather than general waste, to prevent puncture injuries and infection risk.

A small amount of colour or chemical product applied to the skin, usually behind the ear or inner elbow, and assessed after the manufacturer's stated time to check for an allergic reaction before a full service.

A condition or circumstance that makes a service unsafe or unsuitable, such as broken scalp skin, a known allergy or recent chemical damage, meaning the service should be modified, postponed or refused.

A confidential written history of each client's services, products, formulations, timing, patch test results and reactions, used to keep future treatments consistent, safe and informed.

A structured conversation at the start of a service in which the stylist asks questions, listens to the client's needs and lifestyle, examines the hair and scalp, and agrees on a plan and expected outcome.

Fully concentrating on what a client says, using eye contact, nods and clarifying questions, then reflecting the meaning back so the client feels heard and misunderstandings are avoided.

A question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, such as asking what the client dislikes about their current hair, used to gather detailed information during consultation.

A scale from 0 to 14 measuring acidity or alkalinity, where 7 is neutral; hair and skin are mildly acidic, and many salon chemicals are alkaline and can swell the hair shaft.

The tough outer covering of the hair made of overlapping scale-like cells that protects the inner structure; it lifts in alkaline conditions and is smoothed by acidic products.

The middle and thickest layer of the hair, made of long protein chains that give strength, elasticity and colour, and where colour molecules and curl re-forming take place.

A shampoo or conditioner formulated near the hair's natural mildly acidic pH, which helps close the cuticle, reduce tangling and preserve colour and shine.

A close examination of the scalp for redness, flaking, oiliness, lesions or sensitivity before a treatment, so the correct product is chosen and any condition needing referral is identified.

Controlled hand movements used during shampooing and scalp treatments, such as effleurage, petrissage and friction, applied with correct pressure to relax the client and stimulate circulation.

Adjusting the basin water to a comfortable warm temperature and testing it before it reaches the client, to protect the scalp from burns or chill and to keep products working effectively.

The angle at which hair is held away from the head when cutting; lifting hair to 90 degrees or more creates layers and volume, while lower projection builds weight and length.

Dividing the hair into clean, controlled subsections with clips before cutting, colouring or styling, so each area is worked evenly and the result is balanced and predictable.

The first cut strand that sets the length and shape all other sections are matched to, ensuring an even result across the whole head.

A cut made straight across the hair ends with no elevation, producing a solid, heavy edge and a strong one-length shape.

A liquid that activates colour or lightener and opens the cuticle, available in different strengths that control how much lift or deposit occurs during a colour service.

The amount of natural or artificial colour removed from the hair to make it lighter, measured in levels and achieved with lighteners or high-lift colour and the correct developer strength.

A small sample of the client's hair treated with the intended product and timing before the full service, to check the result, processing speed and any adverse reaction.

A strong chemical link between protein chains in the hair cortex that gives the fibre its shape; waving lotion breaks these bonds and the neutraliser re-forms them in the new curl pattern.

The second chemical step in a perm that stops the waving action and rebuilds the disulphide bonds in their new curled position, locking the shape into the hair.

A strongly alkaline product used to straighten curly or tightly coiled hair by breaking the bonds in the cortex, requiring careful timing, smoothing and thorough rinsing.

The period a chemical product is left on the hair to complete its action, set by the manufacturer and affected by hair porosity and condition, and must be monitored rather than guessed.

The ability of the hair to absorb and hold moisture, ranging from resistant to overly porous; porous hair takes colour and chemicals quickly and can process faster than expected.

Drying and shaping hair with a dryer and brush using controlled heat, tension and airflow direction, working from the scalp outward to smooth the cuticle and build the desired finish.

A cylindrical brush used with a blow dryer to add volume, bend or curl, chosen in a size that matches the section and the desired amount of movement.

A bowl-shaped attachment fitted to a hair dryer that spreads the airflow, reducing direct force so curls and waves dry without being blown apart or frizzed.

A product applied before heat styling that coats the hair to reduce damage from dryers, straighteners and curling irons, and the practice of keeping tools at a safe temperature.

Reducing the salon's environmental impact through measures such as measuring product accurately, recycling packaging, saving water and energy, and choosing refillable or low-impact products.

Sorting salon waste into correct streams, such as general, recycling, chemical and sharps, so hazardous items are handled safely and recyclable materials are not sent to landfill.

Understanding what each salon product does, its active ingredients, correct dilution or mixing, hair type suitability and any safety warnings, so it is recommended and used correctly.

Cooperating with colleagues by sharing workload, giving clear handovers, respecting roles and raising concerns politely, so services run smoothly and clients receive consistent care.

The limits that keep the stylist-client and stylist-colleague relationship respectful and appropriate, covering confidentiality, personal disclosure, social media contact and avoiding favouritism or gossip.

Keeping skills and knowledge up to date through training, reading product updates, attending workshops and following current regulations, so services meet present standards and trends.