FL Esthetician cheat sheet
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Florida Cosmetology Law, Rules, and Regulations
Florida Statute Chapter 477 governs cosmetology; the Board of Cosmetology (DBPR) adopts rules in Chapter 61G5, Florida Administrative Code.
A facial specialist license requires a 260-hour board-approved program and a passing score on the written and practical exams.
Licenses renew every two years; renewal requires 16 hours of continuing education, including 2 hours on HIV/AIDS and 1 hour on communicable diseases.
Facials, skin care, waxing, makeup, and eyelash extensions are within the facial specialist scope; chemical peels and laser treatments are outside it.
A salon must hold a current establishment license and display it publicly; a licensed specialist may not practice in an unlicensed facility.
Board rules require a minimum of one sink with hot and cold running water in each work area, plus approved hand-washing supplies.
Disciplinary actions range from reprimand and fine to suspension or revocation; practicing without a license is a criminal offense.
Client records must be retained per board rule and made available on request; failure to keep records is a violation.
A facial specialist may not diagnose skin disease or prescribe medication; suspicious lesions must be referred to a physician.
Sanitation, Sterilization, and Infection Control
Sanitize means to reduce microorganisms to a safe level; disinfect means to destroy pathogens on non-living surfaces; sterilize means to destroy all microorganisms including spores.
Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after each client, after restroom use, and after removing gloves.
Single-use items (wax strips, spatulas, cotton, gloves) must be discarded after one client and never reused.
Implements that contact skin or blood must be cleaned, then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant at the labeled contact time.
Porous items that cannot be disinfected (buffers, pumice stones, wooden spatulas) are single-use only.
Wax pots must be covered when not in use; double-dipping a spatula into the pot contaminates the wax and is prohibited.
Blood or body-fluid spills are cleaned with gloves, then disinfected; contaminated waste goes in a closed container.
Sterilization (autoclave) is required only for items that penetrate skin; most facial tools require disinfection, not sterilization.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin
Epidermis layers from deep to superficial: stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum (palms/soles), corneum.
Keratinocytes are produced in the stratum basale and migrate outward over about 28 days in young adult skin.
The dermis contains collagen (strength), elastin (elasticity), and glycosaminoglycans (hydration); it houses nerves, vessels, and glands.
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, are largest on the face and scalp, and are activated by androgens.
Eccrine sweat glands regulate temperature and are distributed over most of the body; apocrine glands are in axillae and groin.
Melanocytes in the basal layer produce melanin, which protects against UV and determines skin color.
Skin functions include protection, sensation, thermoregulation, excretion, secretion, and vitamin D synthesis.
Aging reduces collagen and elastin, thins the epidermis, and slows cell turnover, increasing sensitivity and healing time.
Skin Analysis and Skin Types
Fitzpatrick phototypes I–VI classify sun response: I always burns/never tans; VI deeply pigmented, rarely burns.
Skin types: normal, dry (alipidic), oily, combination, and sensitive; type is determined by sebum and hydration, not by age.
T-zone oiliness with normal cheeks indicates combination skin; treat zones separately.
Analysis sequence: cleanse, observe under magnification, palpate, assess hydration and oiliness, note lesions and contraindications.
Dehydrated skin lacks water and may show fine lines; oily skin may still be dehydrated.
Sensitive skin shows reactivity, erythema, or stinging; patch-test products and avoid strong exfoliants.
Document findings, products used, and client response in the client record before treatment begins.
Refer any suspicious mole, changing lesion, or persistent sore to a physician; do not attempt to treat it.
Facial Treatments and Product Selection
Standard facial sequence: consultation and analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, extractions (if indicated), massage, mask, moisturizer, sun protection.
Cleansers: foaming for oily skin, cream or milky for dry/sensitive, gel for combination.
Exfoliants: physical (scrubs, brushes) and chemical (AHA, BHA, enzymes); choose based on skin type and sensitivity.
Masks: clay for oily skin, hydrating gel or cream for dry skin, calming formulas for sensitive skin.
Massage improves circulation and relaxation; avoid over areas of active inflammation, infection, or recent cosmetic procedures.
Moisturizers contain humectants (bind water), emollients (soften), and occlusives (prevent water loss).
Sunscreen SPF 30+ broad-spectrum is the final step of every daytime facial.
Contraindications to facials include open lesions, active infection, recent surgery, and known product allergy.
Hair Removal and Waxing
Waxing removes hair from the follicle; results last 3–6 weeks depending on hair growth cycle.
Hair grows in cycles: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest); waxing is most effective in anagen.
Hard wax is applied thick and removed without strips; soft wax requires strips and is used on larger areas.
Test wax temperature on the inner wrist before application; wax should never be hot enough to burn.
Never wax over inflamed, broken, sunburned, or recently treated skin, or over moles and varicose veins.
Contraindications include isotretinoin use within 6 months, blood thinners, diabetes with poor healing, and active infection.
Apply wax in the direction of hair growth and remove against it; hold skin taut to reduce discomfort.
Post-wax care: soothe with cold compress, avoid heat, sun, and tight clothing for 24 hours, and recommend exfoliation after 48 hours.
Double-dipping is prohibited; use a fresh spatula for each application.
Makeup Application and Eyebrow/Lash Services
Color theory: complementary colors neutralize; green cancels redness, peach/orange cancels blue undertones.
Foundation shade should match the jawline and be tested in natural light.
Eyebrow shaping follows the golden ratio: brow begins at the inner corner, arches at the iris, ends at the outer corner.
Eyelash extensions require a patch test 24–48 hours before first application and a licensed professional.
Lash adhesive contains cyanoacrylate; keep eyes closed during application and avoid glue contact with skin.
Sanitize brushes between clients; disposable applicators are single-use only.
Contraindications for lash extensions include eye infections, allergies to adhesive, and recent eye surgery.
Remove makeup gently with appropriate cleanser; never tug or pull the delicate eye area.
Chemistry, Ingredients, and Product Safety
pH scale 0–14: skin surface pH is about 4.5–5.5 (slightly acidic); products outside this range may irritate.
AHAs (glycolic, lactic) exfoliate the surface; BHAs (salicylic acid) penetrate pores and suit oily/acne-prone skin.
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid; concentrations above 2% in OTC products increase irritation risk.
Surfactants clean by lowering surface tension; they can strip skin if too harsh.
Preservatives prevent microbial growth; parabens and phenoxyethanol are common and regulated.
Fragrance and essential oils are common sensitizers; patch-test on sensitive clients.
Sun protection: SPF measures UVB protection; broad-spectrum also covers UVA.
Read labels for active ingredients and expiration dates; discard expired or separated products.
Client Safety, Contraindications, and First Aid
Contraindications include active infection, open lesions, recent surgery, pregnancy (for certain ingredients), and allergies.
Patch test 24–48 hours before first use of a new product, especially dyes, adhesives, and acids.
First aid for chemical burn: flush with cool water for 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, and seek medical help.
For allergic reaction: stop treatment, remove product, apply cool compress, and refer to physician if breathing difficulty occurs.
Keep a first-aid kit with gloves, antiseptic, bandages, and emergency numbers in the treatment area.
Client consent and health history forms must be completed before service and updated at each visit.
Do not treat a client with a communicable disease; refer to a physician and follow board rules.
Document all incidents and adverse reactions in the client record.