Cosmetology (Cosmetology License) flashcards

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

EPA-registered hospital disinfectant

A product registered with the EPA that kills most pathogenic bacteria and is labeled tuberculocidal; required for implements that may contact blood or body fluids.

Cleaning before disinfection

Implements must be washed with soap and warm water to remove debris and residue first, because disinfectant cannot penetrate dirt, hair, or product buildup.

Porous items single use

Wooden sticks, emery boards, and cotton cannot be effectively disinfected because the solution cannot penetrate the surface, so they must be discarded after one client.

Universal precautions

Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, which requires gloves, eye protection, and hand washing for every client regardless of known health status.

90-degree elevation

Cutting hair perpendicular to the curve of the head, straight out from the scalp; this projection produces uniform layers and is common in layered cuts.

Blunt haircut

A one-length cut performed at zero elevation with no tension across the perimeter; it creates the heaviest solid line and maximum weight at the ends.

Traveling guideline

A movable first section of hair that is cut and then used as the length reference for each following section as the cut progresses through the head.

Cross-checking a haircut

Cutting a second time using partings perpendicular to the original sections to confirm balance, symmetry, and even length on both sides of the head.

20 volume developer

A 6% hydrogen peroxide solution that, mixed with permanent color, lifts approximately one level of natural pigment while depositing the artificial color.

Law of color

Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue; secondary colors come from mixing two primaries (orange, green, violet); tertiary colors mix a primary with a neighboring secondary.

Patch test

A small amount of aniline-derivative tint applied behind the ear or on the inner elbow 24-48 hours before the service to detect an allergic reaction.

Fillers in hair color

Product applied before depositing a darker shade over lightened hair to replace missing warm pigments and prevent muddy, green, or gray results.

On-base curl

A thermal or roller set in which the curl sits directly on its base, producing maximum volume with the tightest, longest-lasting curl at the scalp.

Round brush diameter rule

Smaller round brushes create more tension and tighter curl, while larger barrels smooth and add volume with less curl and should match the desired shape.

Diffuser blow-drying

An attachment that spreads airflow over a wider area to reduce disturbance of the curl pattern and minimize frizz when drying textured or curly hair.

Thioglycolate permanent wave

An alkaline wave using ammonium thioglycolate at about pH 9.0-9.6 that reduces disulfide bonds and requires a hydrogen peroxide neutralizer to rebuild them.

Test curl

A single rod wound and processed during a permanent wave to check curl formation before the whole head is saturated, preventing over- or under-processing.

Relaxer retouch application

Chemical relaxer applied only to new growth while avoiding previously relaxed hair, which is already straightened and would break if reprocessed during the same service.

Sodium hydroxide relaxer

A lye-based relaxer at pH 12-14 that straightens hair by breaking disulfide bonds; it is removed and neutralized with an acid-balanced shampoo.

Cationic conditioner action

Positively charged conditioning ingredients are attracted to negatively charged, damaged hair, smoothing the cuticle and reducing static, roughness, and friction.

Scalp massage movements

Effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping), and friction (rubbing) manipulate the scalp during shampooing to increase circulation and relaxation.

Fitzpatrick scale

A six-level classification of how skin responds to ultraviolet exposure, from type I (always burns, never tans) to type VI (deeply pigmented, rarely burns).

Wood's lamp analysis

A filtered ultraviolet lamp used in skin analysis to reveal conditions beneath the skin surface, while a magnifying lamp shows pores, texture, and pigmentation.

Facial contraindications

Open lesions, cold sores, boils, conjunctivitis, or contagious skin conditions mean the facial service must be refused or the area avoided and the client referred.

Nail matrix

The area of the nail where new cells are produced; damage or disease there causes ridges, thinning, or permanent deformity of the growing nail plate.

Nail plate acidity

The nail plate is slightly acidic, roughly pH 4.5-5.5, which helps resist bacteria and fungi and is supported by acid-balanced products and controlled moisture.

EMA versus MMA

Ethyl methacrylate is the accepted monomer for nail enhancements; methyl methacrylate is banned in most states because it causes severe allergic reactions and nail damage.

Hair growth cycles

Anagen is active growth lasting two to seven years, catagen is a short transition, and telogen is a resting phase of about three months before shedding.

Cuticle, cortex, medulla

The cuticle is the outer layer of overlapping scales, the cortex holds melanin and gives strength and elasticity, and the medulla is the core, often absent in fine hair.

Alopecia areata

A noncontagious autoimmune condition causing sudden patchy hair loss with smooth round bald spots; it is not treated by cosmetologists and the client is referred.

Safety Data Sheet

A 16-section OSHA-required document kept on file for each chemical product, listing hazards, first aid, handling, and disposal information for employee safety.

Scope of practice

The legally defined services a licensed cosmetologist may perform under state law; exceeding it, such as diagnosing skin disease, is a licensing violation.