CA Cosmetology cheat sheet
CA Cosmetology · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Health and Safety
Disinfection requires cleaning first, then immersion in an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for the label's contact time.
Porous items such as cotton, tissues, and wooden sticks cannot be disinfected and must be discarded after one use.
Sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfection kills most pathogens but not necessarily spores.
After a blood or body-fluid spill: stop service, don gloves, absorb, clean with soap and water, disinfect, and discard contaminated porous items.
Handwashing with soap and water is required before and after each client; gloves are an additional barrier, not a substitute.
Keep Safety Data Sheets accessible for every chemical product and follow label directions for ventilation and PPE.
Whirlpool foot spas must be drained, cleaned, and disinfected after each client according to board rules and manufacturer instructions.
Use GFCI-protected outlets near water and inspect cords for damage before use.
Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious under universal precautions.
Laws and Regulations
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licenses cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, and electrologists.
A California cosmetology license permits hair, skin, and nail services; a barber license is limited to hair and beard services.
Licensed establishments must post the establishment license and individual licenses in a conspicuous place.
Licenses are renewed biennially; practicing with an expired license is prohibited.
Unlicensed practice is a misdemeanor and may result in fines, citations, or criminal penalties.
Board representatives may inspect licensed establishments during business hours to enforce health and safety rules.
A licensee may be disciplined for unsanitary practices, scope violations, or unlicensed activity.
Establishment licenses are location-specific and are not transferable to another address.
Services
Aniline-derivative hair dyes require a patch test 24 to 48 hours before application.
A strand test predicts processing time and result before a full chemical service.
Oxidative color developer volumes: 10 volume lifts 1 level, 20 lifts 2, 30 lifts 3, 40 lifts 4.
Law of color: red, yellow, and blue are primary; orange, green, and violet are secondary; complementary colors neutralize.
Haircut elevation: 0 degrees blunt, 45 degrees graduated, 90 degrees uniform layer, 180 degrees long layer.
During a relaxer retouch, apply product to new growth only to avoid overprocessing previously relaxed hair.
A neutralizer stops relaxer action by lowering pH and restoring the hair's acid mantle.
Proper acrylic ratio of monomer to polymer prevents lifting and breakage; too wet weakens, too dry is brittle.
Waxing is contraindicated over irritated skin and for clients using isotretinoin or blood thinners unless cleared by a physician.