Barber License Exam (NIC) flashcards

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

Standard precautions

A practice of treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and using gloves, barriers, and hand hygiene with every client, regardless of known health status.

Hospital disinfectant

An EPA-registered product that kills a broad spectrum of bacteria and is labeled for use on environmental surfaces; the label must also list virucidal and fungicidal claims for implement disinfection.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria. Some form spores that resist heat and disinfectants, so items contacting spores require sterilization rather than routine disinfection.

Sterilization

A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, on an object; required for implements that penetrate or contact broken skin.

Indirect transmission

Pathogen transfer from a contaminated object such as a comb, razor, or towel to a person. Cleaning and disinfecting implements between clients prevents this route.

Anagen phase

The active growth phase of the hair cycle, lasting several years. Most scalp hairs are in anagen at any given time, and the follicle is most vulnerable to chemical damage then.

Cuticle layer

The outermost layer of the hair shaft, made of overlapping scales that protect the cortex. Chemical services and heat lift or damage these scales, affecting porosity and shine.

Sebaceous glands

Glands attached to hair follicles that secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates hair and scalp. Overactivity contributes to oily scalp and can weigh down fine hair.

Hair porosity

The ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture, determined by cuticle condition. High porosity absorbs quickly and loses moisture fast; low porosity resists penetration and may need longer processing.

Telogen phase

The resting phase of the hair cycle, lasting about three months, ending when the hair sheds and a new follicle cycle begins. Normal daily shedding is roughly 50 to 100 hairs.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae

Inflammation caused by shaved hair re-entering the skin and growing inward, common in tightly curled beards. Avoid close against-the-grain shaving and refer persistent cases.

Razor angle

The angle between the razor blade and the skin, about 30 degrees for a shave. Too steep a blade angle scrapes skin and increases nicks and razor burn.

Furuncle

A bacterial infection of a hair follicle, appearing as a painful pus-filled bump. Do not shave over it; refer the client to a physician for treatment.

Shaving lather

A wet, warm preparation applied before shaving that softens the hair and reduces friction between blade and skin, lowering irritation and razor burn risk.

Elevation

The angle at which hair is held away from the head during cutting. Zero degrees builds weight, 45 degrees graduates, and 90 degrees or more creates layering.

Graduated form

A haircut built by cutting at increasing elevation, creating stacked layers that build weight at the perimeter and taper toward the crown.

Clipper guard sizes

Guards are numbered in eighths of an inch. A #1 guard leaves about 1/8 inch of hair, #2 about 1/4 inch, and #3 about 3/8 inch.

Cowlick

A growth pattern in which hair stands up or swirls in a direction that resists styling. It cannot be cut away and must be blended into the design.

Developer volume

A measure of hydrogen peroxide strength in hair color. Ten volume deposits, 20 lifts one to two levels, 30 lifts two to three, and 40 lifts three to four.

Law of color

Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue; secondary colors are orange, green, and violet. Complementary colors sit opposite each other and neutralize unwanted tone.

Patch test

A small application of color or lightener on skin, performed 24 to 48 hours before service, to detect an allergic reaction before full application.

Disulfide bond

A strong chemical bond between protein chains in hair. Relaxers and permanent waves break these bonds and reform them to change shape permanently.

No-lye relaxer

A hydroxide relaxer using calcium hydroxide, guanidine, or lithium instead of sodium hydroxide. It is not automatically gentler and still requires careful timing and neutralization.

Strand test

A test on a small section of the client's hair using the intended product to predict processing time, color outcome, and possible damage before full service.

Epidermis

The outermost, avascular layer of skin. It provides the primary barrier against water loss and infection and contains melanocytes that give skin its color.

Masseter muscle

A thick muscle of the jaw that closes the mouth and assists chewing. It lies over the angle of the mandible, an area relevant to facial massage and shaving.

Facial nerve

Cranial nerve VII, which controls muscles of facial expression. Injury affects the ability to smile, close the eye, or raise the brow on that side.

Lunula

The pale, half-moon-shaped area at the base of the nail plate. It is the visible portion of the nail matrix, where new nail cells are produced.

Lymph nodes

Small structures that filter lymph fluid and house immune cells. Head and neck nodes include submental, submandibular, cervical, and occipital groups.

Scope of practice

The services a licensed barber is legally permitted to perform under state law. Performing services outside that scope can lead to fines or license discipline.

Safety Data Sheet

A document supplied by a chemical manufacturer that lists hazards, first aid, handling, and storage requirements. It must be accessible wherever the product is used.

Blood spill procedure

Put on gloves, absorb the spill with disposable material, clean the area, then disinfect with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant labeled for bloodborne pathogens, and discard waste properly.