IA Esthetician flashcards

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

Stratum basale

Deepest epidermal layer where keratinocytes divide and melanocytes reside; new cells push older cells upward toward the surface, driving the roughly 28-day turnover cycle.

Acid mantle

Slightly acidic film on skin (about pH 4.5-5.5) formed by sebum, sweat, and corneum breakdown products; it supports barrier lipids and limits growth of harmful bacteria.

Fitzpatrick phototype

Six-level classification of skin response to ultraviolet light, from type I (always burns, never tans) to type VI (deeply pigmented, never burns); guides treatment risk and sun protection advice.

Transepidermal water loss

Movement of water vapor through the stratum corneum into the air; elevated values indicate barrier impairment, seen as tightness, flaking, and stinging after over-exfoliation or harsh products.

Closed comedo

Hair follicle blocked by keratin and sebum with the opening covered by skin, appearing as a small white bump; it differs from an open comedo (blackhead) and is not extracted if deep and inflamed.

Skin analysis

Systematic assessment of skin type, condition, hydration, oiliness, pore size, and lesions using observation and magnified light; findings determine products, treatment plan, and referral needs.

Effleurage

Gliding massage stroke applied with light to moderate pressure in the direction of lymph flow or muscle fibers; used to begin and end a facial massage and to apply product.

Extraction

Manual removal of a pustule or open comedo using gloved fingers or a comedone extractor after softening with steam; inflamed cysts and nodules are referred rather than squeezed.

Alpha hydroxy acid

Water-soluble exfoliant such as glycolic or lactic acid that loosens corneocyte bonds on the skin surface; increases sun sensitivity, so daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is required.

Salicylic acid

Lipid-soluble beta hydroxy acid that penetrates pores to exfoliate congested skin; avoided in clients with aspirin allergy and used cautiously on dry or sensitive skin.

Clay mask

Mask containing kaolin or bentonite that absorbs surface oil and temporarily tightens pores; best suited to oily and congested skin, with a moisturizer applied afterward.

Broad-spectrum SPF 30

Sunscreen labeled to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation with a sun protection factor of at least 30; applied as the final daytime step and reapplied every two hours outdoors.

Anagen phase

Active growth stage of the hair cycle when the follicle is deepest and the hair shaft is forming; waxing and laser hair reduction are most effective against hairs in this phase.

Telogen phase

Resting stage of the hair cycle before shedding; telogen hairs release easily, which is why regrowth timing after waxing varies between clients and body areas.

Hard wax

Resin-based wax applied in a thick layer and removed without a fabric strip once firm; used on sensitive or coarse areas such as the face, underarms, and bikini line.

Soft wax

Thinly applied wax removed with a fabric strip pressed over it; strip is pulled against the direction of hair growth while the opposite hand holds the skin taut.

Double-dipping

Reinserting a used wax spatula into the wax pot after contact with a client's skin; prohibited because it contaminates the pot, so single-use spatulas are required.

Paradoxical hypertrichosis

Increased hair growth near an area treated with certain hair-removal methods, reported with some waxing and laser regimens; document findings and adjust the treatment plan.

Folliculitis

Inflammation or infection of hair follicles presenting as tender red papules or pustules; active cases are a contraindication to waxing because the service can spread infection and worsen irritation.

Iowa Board of Barbering

State board within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing that licenses barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technologists, and electrologists and enforces Iowa rules.

License display requirement

Iowa rules require a licensee to keep the current license displayed at the work station or in a conspicuous place in the establishment, available for inspection.

Establishment license

Separate license required for a shop offering barbering or cosmetology services; the shop must meet equipment, sanitation, and facility standards and report ownership or location changes.

Scope of practice

Legally defined services a licensee may perform; for Iowa estheticians this covers skin care, waxing, tweezing, and makeup, while medical procedures remain with licensed medical professionals.

Board inspection authority

Iowa board inspectors may enter a licensed establishment during business hours without prior notice to check sanitation, equipment, licenses, and compliance with board rules.

Disinfection

Use of an EPA-registered hospital-grade product on cleaned hard surfaces to kill most pathogenic microorganisms; the labeled contact time must be observed for effectiveness.

Sterilization

Process that destroys all microorganisms including bacterial spores, typically by autoclave steam under pressure; required for items that penetrate skin or contact blood.

Single-use item

Porous or disposable supply such as cotton, gauze, wooden applicators, or wax strips that contacts skin once and is discarded; it cannot be cleaned or disinfected for reuse.

Contact time

Number of minutes a disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to achieve its labeled kill claim; wiping it dry early reduces effectiveness and violates manufacturer directions.

Hand hygiene

Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after client contact and after glove removal; sanitizer is used only when hands are not visibly soiled.

Informed consent

Client's documented agreement to a service after being told the procedure, expected results, risks, contraindications, and alternatives; updated when the treatment plan changes.

Patch test

Small application of a product on a discreet area, read after 24-48 hours, to detect allergic or irritant reaction before full use; results are recorded in the client record.

Safety data sheet

Manufacturer document listing a product's hazards, first-aid measures, handling, and storage requirements; kept accessible in the workplace for every chemical product used.