ITEC Beauty Specialist cheat sheet

Informed consent must be obtained before every treatment and recorded with the client's signature, date, and the specific treatment named; verbal consent alone is not defensible evidence.

A contract exists once offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations are present; a treatment booking and payment can therefore form a binding agreement.

Confidentiality is a duty under data-protection law: client records must be stored securely, disclosed only with consent or where required by law, and retained only as long as necessary.

Professional indemnity insurance covers claims of negligent treatment; it does not cover deliberate acts, and public liability covers injury to third parties on the premises.

Contraindications fall into absolute (treatment must not proceed) and relative (proceed only with medical advice or modification); pregnancy, anticoagulant therapy and active infection are common relative or absolute examples.

Scope of practice: a beauty specialist must refer suspected skin cancer, unexplained lesions, persistent redness or pigmented change to a medical practitioner rather than treat.

Record-keeping entries should be contemporaneous, legible, factual, dated and signed, and should describe what was observed and done rather than opinions about the client.

A complaints procedure should acknowledge the complaint promptly, investigate, respond in writing within a stated timescale, and record the outcome and any corrective action.

Hand hygiene: wash with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand rub when hands are visibly clean; hands must be cleaned before and after each client and after glove removal.

Gloves are single-use and non-powdered; they are changed between clients, after contact with blood or body fluids, and whenever torn.

Single-use items (cotton pads, spatulas, nail files for broken skin, wax spatulas, lash applicators) must be discarded after one client; reusable tools must be cleaned then disinfected or sterilised as appropriate.

Disinfection kills most pathogens on inanimate objects; sterilisation destroys all micro-organisms including spores and is required for items that breach skin.

Blood-borne pathogen spill procedure: wear gloves, absorb with disposable paper, clean with detergent, disinfect with an approved virucidal product, and dispose of waste as clinical or offensive waste.

Wax pots must be kept covered, temperature-controlled and never topped up with used wax; the working temperature of warm wax is typically 37-43 °C and hot wax higher, so test on the inner wrist.

Electrical equipment must be PAT-tested at intervals, and cables, plugs and housings inspected before use; water and electrical appliances must be kept separated.

Patch testing is required at least 24-48 hours before tinting, lash lift or adhesive services for new clients, and after any product change or reported reaction.

Epidermis layers, deepest to surface: stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum (palms and soles only), corneum; keratinocytes migrate outward over roughly 28 days.

Dermis contains collagen (tensile strength), elastin (recoil) and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid (hydration); fibroblasts produce these fibres.

Melanocytes in the basal layer produce melanin via tyrosinase; UV exposure upregulates melanogenesis, and tyrosinase inhibitors reduce pigment formation.

Skin functions: protection, thermoregulation, sensation, excretion, vitamin D synthesis and immune surveillance via Langerhans cells.

Arterial supply to the face comes mainly from the external carotid (facial artery) with contributions from the internal carotid (ophthalmic branches); venous drainage follows the facial and angular veins.

Lymph from the head and neck drains to cervical nodes; the superficial nodes include pre-auricular, parotid, submandibular and submental groups.

Hair growth cycle: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest), exogen (shedding); only anagen hair with a large bulb is reliably destroyed by waxing or electrolysis.

Nail plate is produced by the matrix; the lunula is the visible distal matrix, the cuticle (eponychium) seals the proximal nail fold, and the hyponychium seals the free edge.

Consultation order: medical history and medication, lifestyle, current product use, allergies and patch-test history, then visual and tactile skin analysis.

Skin type is classified by oil production and hydration (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive); skin condition describes a temporary or treatable state such as dehydration, pigmentation or acne.

Fitzpatrick phototype I-VI predicts UV response and guides waxing, laser, peel and tinting decisions; higher phototypes carry greater risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Lesion triage: the ABCD rule (asymmetry, border irregularity, colour variation, diameter over 6 mm) and evolving change are referral triggers, not treatment targets.

Facial mapping by zone identifies oiliness in the T-zone versus cheeks, and asymmetry or localised redness should be documented at baseline for later comparison.

Treatment plan components: objective agreed with the client, products and technique, number and frequency of sessions, home-care recommendations, cost, and review date.

Contraindication screening for peels and waxing includes isotretinoin use (commonly within 6 months), recent chemical peel, laser or dermabrasion, active herpes simplex and sunburn.

Allergy testing for hair colour or lash adhesive follows the manufacturer's instructions, typically a small amount on the inner elbow or behind the ear 24-48 hours before treatment.

Cleansing should use a pH-appropriate surfactant system; the skin surface pH is about 4.5-5.5, and high-pH soaps disrupt the acid mantle and barrier lipids.

Exfoliation types: mechanical (scrubs, brushes), enzymatic (papain, bromelain) and chemical (AHA such as glycolic and lactic acid, BHA salicylic acid); AHAs are water-soluble, BHA is lipid-soluble and penetrates pores.

Humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea) attract water; emollients (oils, fatty alcohols) soften and fill gaps; occlusives (petrolatum, dimethicone) reduce transepidermal water loss.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E neutralise free radicals; vitamin C also inhibits tyrosinase and supports collagen synthesis, and is stabilised at low pH.

Retinoids accelerate keratinocyte turnover and stimulate collagen; they cause photosensitivity, so daily broad-spectrum SPF is mandatory and waxing is contraindicated during use.

Massage movements in a facial: effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and vibration; direction generally follows lymphatic drainage toward the cervical nodes with light pressure.

A professional facial sequence is typically cleanse, analyse, exfoliate, steam or warm compress, extract (only where appropriate), massage, mask, tone and moisturise with SPF.

Product selection rule: match the active ingredient to the identified condition, check for known allergens and interactions (for example retinoid plus AHA causing irritation), and start at low strength.

Swedish massage strokes: effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular), tapotement (percussion) and vibration; each has a defined direction and pressure.

Massage effects include increased local blood flow, reduced muscle tone, stimulation of lymph flow and gate-control modulation of pain perception.

Contraindications to massage include fever, acute infection, recent fracture, deep vein thrombosis, uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy complications and active cancer without medical clearance.

Lymphatic drainage uses light, rhythmic, directional strokes following lymph vessel pathways toward regional nodes; it is not deep-tissue work.

Body wraps and masks act by occlusion and hydration; heat-retaining wraps raise skin temperature and are contraindicated in cardiovascular disease and claustrophobia.

Body scrub exfoliants (salt, sugar, jojoba beads) are chosen by particle size and client sensitivity; salt on broken skin causes stinging and is avoided after shaving or waxing.

Pressure scale in massage is agreed with the client and reassessed during treatment; numbness, tingling or sharp pain is a signal to reduce pressure immediately.

Aftercare for body treatments includes hydration, avoidance of heat and tight clothing for several hours, and reporting any unexpected reaction.

Hair must be at least about 5 mm long (roughly 3-4 weeks of growth) for wax to grip; shaved or very short hair will not be removed effectively.

Wax types: warm (strip) wax applied thinly and removed with fabric strips, and hot (film) wax applied thicker and removed without strips; hot wax suits coarse and sensitive areas.

Wax is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed against it, holding skin taut; the strip is pulled back parallel to the skin, not upward.

Contraindications include isotretinoin, anticoagulants, active infection, recent skin peeling or laser, varicose veins over the area, moles (avoid or work around) and sunburn.

Threading uses a twisted cotton thread to trap and lift hair; it suits the brows and upper lip and is a suitable option for clients using retinoids where waxing is contraindicated.

Depilatory creams break disulfide bonds in keratin with thioglycolate; a patch test is required and the product must not be left beyond the stated time.

Post-wax care: no heat, sun, chlorinated pools, tight clothing or fragranced products for 24 hours; soothe with a calming lotion and advise avoiding exfoliation for 24-48 hours.

Ingrown hair prevention includes regular gentle exfoliation after 48 hours and moisturising; persistent ingrown hairs or folliculitis should be referred.

Eyelash tint patch test: a small amount of tint mixed as for treatment applied to the inner elbow or behind the ear 24-48 hours before; a positive reaction cancels treatment.

Tinting contraindications include blepharitis, conjunctivitis, styes, recent eye surgery, contact lens wear during treatment (remove lenses), and known para-phenylenediamine allergy.

Lash and brow tint is applied to lashes with eyes closed and protective pads or shields in place; excess is removed with damp cotton, and the eye is rinsed if product enters.

Lash lift (perming) uses a reducing agent to break disulfide bonds and a neutraliser to reform them; the curl is set by the silicone shield size, not by the strength of the solution.

Lash extension adhesives are cyanoacrylate-based; they cure with moisture, must be used in a well-ventilated area, and the client's eyes must remain closed throughout.

Isolation is the core lash-extension skill: one natural lash is isolated and one extension attached, with no extension bridging two lashes.

Lash extension aftercare: avoid water, steam, sauna and oil-based products for 24-48 hours, and brush lashes daily; infills are typically required every 2-3 weeks.

Brow mapping uses three reference points: the start at the inner corner aligned with the side of the nose, the arch aligned with the outer iris, and the tail aligned with the outer corner.

Nail plate structure: matrix (growth), lunula (visible matrix), nail bed, nail folds, cuticle (eponychium) and hyponychium; the free edge has no nerve supply.

Nail growth averages about 3 mm per month for fingernails and about 1 mm per month for toenails; complete replacement of a fingernail takes roughly 4-6 months.

Nail shapes: square, squoval, oval, almond, round and coffin/ballerina; shape is chosen by nail bed proportion and client lifestyle.

Cuticle work removes non-living tissue only; the living eponychium must not be cut, and nippers are used only on hangnails or clearly non-living tissue.

Contraindications to pedicure include diabetes with neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, fungal infection and open lesions; these require medical clearance or referral.

Fungal nail infection signs: thickening, discolouration, crumbling, separation from the nail bed; it is not treated in the salon and must be referred.

Gel polish removal requires soaking in acetone-based remover for 10-15 minutes or filing the top coat and wrapping; forceful removal damages the nail plate.

Pedicure tools and footbaths must be cleaned and disinfected between clients; footbaths with filters require flushing and disinfection of the system.

Colour theory for corrective makeup: complementary colours neutralise (green cancels redness, peach or orange cancels blue-grey, yellow cancels purple), and adjacent colours blend.

Undertone classification is warm (yellow, golden, peachy), cool (pink, blue, red) and neutral; foundation is matched to the jawline in natural light, not the hand.

Face shapes and contouring: oval is the balanced reference; round is lengthened with vertical shading, square softened at the corners, heart balanced at the forehead and jaw, long shortened with horizontal shading.

Foundation formulations: water-based for oily skin, oil-based for dry skin, silicone-based for smoothing and longevity; coverage ranges from sheer to full.

Concealer placement: peach correctors for under-eye blue, green for redness, and a shade one step lighter than foundation for highlighting the high points.

Eye shadow placement follows the socket line and the brow bone; blending is done with a clean brush in small circular motions, and darker shades recede while lighter shades advance.

Setting and finishing: translucent powder sets cream products, fixing spray reduces transfer, and SPF in the base or a separate sunscreen is required for daytime looks.

Hygiene in makeup: products are dispensed onto a palette, brushes are cleaned and disinfected between clients, mascara and liquid liners are single-use applicators, and lip and eye products are never shared directly.

Informed consent must be obtained before every treatment and recorded with the client's signature, date and the specific treatment named; verbal consent alone is not defensible evidence.

Confidentiality is a duty under data-protection law: records must be stored securely, disclosed only with consent or where required by law, and kept no longer than necessary.

Professional indemnity insurance covers claims of negligent treatment; public liability covers injury to third parties on the premises.

Contraindications are absolute (treatment must not proceed) or relative (proceed only with medical advice or modification); pregnancy and anticoagulant therapy are common examples.

Scope of practice: suspected skin cancer, unexplained lesions or persistent pigmented change must be referred to a medical practitioner rather than treated.

Records must be contemporaneous, legible, factual, dated and signed, describing what was observed and done rather than opinions about the client.

A complaints procedure should acknowledge promptly, investigate, respond in writing within a stated timescale, and record the outcome and corrective action.

Hands are washed with soap and water or cleaned with alcohol-based hand rub before and after each client and after glove removal.

Gloves are single-use and non-powdered, changed between clients, after contact with blood or body fluids, and whenever torn.

Single-use items (cotton pads, spatulas, wax spatulas, lash applicators) are discarded after one client; reusable tools are cleaned then disinfected or sterilised.

Disinfection kills most pathogens on inanimate objects; sterilisation destroys all micro-organisms including spores and is required for items that breach skin.

Blood-borne pathogen spill: wear gloves, absorb with disposable paper, clean with detergent, disinfect with an approved virucidal product, and dispose of waste correctly.

Wax pots stay covered and temperature-controlled and are never topped up with used wax; warm wax is typically 37-43 °C and is tested on the inner wrist.

Electrical equipment must be PAT-tested at intervals, and cables, plugs and housings inspected before use; water and electrical appliances are kept separated.

Patch tests are required 24-48 hours before tinting, lash lift or adhesive services for new clients and after any product change or reported reaction.

Epidermis layers, deepest to surface: stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum (palms and soles only), corneum; keratinocytes migrate outward over about 28 days.

Dermis contains collagen (tensile strength), elastin (recoil) and glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid (hydration), produced by fibroblasts.

Melanocytes in the basal layer produce melanin via tyrosinase; UV upregulates melanogenesis, and tyrosinase inhibitors reduce pigment formation.

Skin functions: protection, thermoregulation, sensation, excretion, vitamin D synthesis and immune surveillance via Langerhans cells.

Arterial supply to the face comes mainly from the external carotid (facial artery) with internal carotid (ophthalmic) contributions; venous drainage follows facial and angular veins.

Lymph from the head and neck drains to cervical nodes, including pre-auricular, parotid, submandibular and submental groups.

Hair growth cycle: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest), exogen (shedding); only anagen hair with a large bulb is reliably destroyed by waxing or electrolysis.

The nail plate is produced by the matrix; the lunula is visible distal matrix, the eponychium seals the proximal fold, and the hyponychium seals the free edge.

Consultation order: medical history and medication, lifestyle, current products, allergies and patch-test history, then visual and tactile skin analysis.

Skin type is classified by oil production and hydration (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive); skin condition describes a temporary or treatable state.

Fitzpatrick phototype I-VI predicts UV response and guides waxing, peel and tinting decisions; higher phototypes risk post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Lesion triage uses the ABCD rule (asymmetry, border, colour, diameter over 6 mm) plus evolving change; these are referral triggers, not treatment targets.

Facial mapping by zone identifies T-zone oiliness versus cheeks, and asymmetry or localised redness is documented at baseline for comparison.

A treatment plan states the agreed objective, products and technique, number and frequency of sessions, home care, cost and review date.

Contraindication screening for peels and waxing includes isotretinoin use, recent peel, laser or dermabrasion, active herpes simplex and sunburn.

Allergy testing for hair colour or lash adhesive follows manufacturer instructions, typically on the inner elbow or behind the ear 24-48 hours before treatment.

Skin surface pH is about 4.5-5.5; high-pH soaps disrupt the acid mantle and barrier lipids, so pH-appropriate cleansers are preferred.

Exfoliation types: mechanical (scrubs, brushes), enzymatic (papain, bromelain) and chemical (AHA glycolic and lactic acid, BHA salicylic acid); BHA is lipid-soluble and penetrates pores.

Humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea) attract water; emollients (oils, fatty alcohols) soften and fill gaps; occlusives (petrolatum, dimethicone) reduce transepidermal water loss.

Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E neutralise free radicals; vitamin C also inhibits tyrosinase and supports collagen and is stabilised at low pH.

Retinoids accelerate keratinocyte turnover and stimulate collagen; they cause photosensitivity, so daily broad-spectrum SPF is mandatory and waxing is contraindicated during use.

Facial massage movements are effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and vibration, generally directed toward the cervical nodes with light pressure.

A professional facial sequence is cleanse, analyse, exfoliate, steam or warm compress, extract where appropriate, massage, mask, tone, moisturise and apply SPF.

Product selection matches the active ingredient to the identified condition, checks allergens and interactions (retinoid plus AHA), and starts at low strength.

Swedish massage strokes: effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular), tapotement (percussion) and vibration, each with a defined direction and pressure.

Massage effects include increased local blood flow, reduced muscle tone, stimulation of lymph flow and gate-control modulation of pain perception.

Contraindications to massage include fever, acute infection, recent fracture, deep vein thrombosis, uncontrolled hypertension and active cancer without medical clearance.

Lymphatic drainage uses light, rhythmic, directional strokes following lymph vessel pathways toward regional nodes; it is not deep-tissue work.

Body wraps act by occlusion and hydration; heat-retaining wraps raise skin temperature and are contraindicated in cardiovascular disease and claustrophobia.

Body scrub exfoliants (salt, sugar, jojoba beads) are chosen by particle size and sensitivity; salt on broken skin stings and is avoided after shaving or waxing.

Pressure is agreed with the client and reassessed during treatment; numbness, tingling or sharp pain is a signal to reduce pressure immediately.

Aftercare for body treatments includes hydration, avoiding heat and tight clothing for several hours, and reporting any unexpected reaction.

Hair must be at least about 5 mm long (roughly 3-4 weeks of growth) for wax to grip; shaved or very short hair will not be removed effectively.

Warm (strip) wax is applied thinly and removed with fabric strips; hot (film) wax is applied thicker and removed without strips and suits coarse or sensitive areas.

Wax is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed against it, holding skin taut; the strip is pulled back parallel to the skin, not upward.

Contraindications include isotretinoin, anticoagulants, active infection, recent peel or laser, varicose veins over the area, moles and sunburn.

Threading uses a twisted cotton thread to trap and lift hair; it suits brows and upper lip and is an option where waxing is contraindicated.

Depilatory creams break disulfide bonds in keratin with thioglycolate; a patch test is required and the product must not be left beyond the stated time.

Post-wax care: no heat, sun, chlorinated pools, tight clothing or fragranced products for 24 hours, and no exfoliation for 24-48 hours.

Ingrown hair prevention includes gentle exfoliation after 48 hours and moisturising; persistent ingrown hairs or folliculitis are referred.

Eyelash tint patch test: tint mixed as for treatment is applied to the inner elbow or behind the ear 24-48 hours before; a positive reaction cancels treatment.

Tinting contraindications include blepharitis, conjunctivitis, styes, recent eye surgery, contact lenses during treatment, and known para-phenylenediamine allergy.

Lash and brow tint is applied with eyes closed and protective pads or shields in place; excess is removed with damp cotton and the eye rinsed if product enters.

Lash lift (perming) uses a reducing agent to break disulfide bonds and a neutraliser to reform them; the curl is set by the silicone shield size, not solution strength.

Lash extension adhesives are cyanoacrylate-based, cure with moisture, require good ventilation, and the client's eyes stay closed throughout.

Isolation is the core lash-extension skill: one natural lash is isolated and one extension attached, with no extension bridging two lashes.

Lash extension aftercare: avoid water, steam, sauna and oil-based products for 24-48 hours, brush daily, and expect infills every 2-3 weeks.

Brow mapping uses three reference points: the start aligned with the side of the nose, the arch with the outer iris, and the tail with the outer corner.

Nail plate structure: matrix (growth), lunula (visible matrix), nail bed, nail folds, cuticle (eponychium) and hyponychium; the free edge has no nerve supply.

Nail growth averages about 3 mm per month for fingernails and about 1 mm per month for toenails; a fingernail replaces in roughly 4-6 months.

Nail shapes include square, squoval, oval, almond, round and coffin/ballerina, chosen by nail bed proportion and client lifestyle.

Cuticle work removes non-living tissue only; the living eponychium must not be cut, and nippers are used only on hangnails or clearly non-living tissue.

Contraindications to pedicure include diabetes with neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, fungal infection and open lesions; these require clearance or referral.

Fungal nail infection signs are thickening, discolouration, crumbling and separation from the nail bed; it is not treated in the salon and is referred.

Gel polish removal requires soaking in acetone-based remover for 10-15 minutes or wrapping; forceful removal damages the nail plate.

Pedicure tools and footbaths must be cleaned and disinfected between clients; footbaths with filters require flushing and disinfection of the system.

Complementary colours neutralise: green cancels redness, peach or orange cancels blue-grey, yellow cancels purple; adjacent colours blend.

Undertones are warm (yellow, golden, peachy), cool (pink, blue, red) and neutral; foundation is matched to the jawline in natural light, not the hand.

Face shapes: oval is the balanced reference; round is lengthened with vertical shading, square softened at the corners, heart balanced at forehead and jaw, long shortened with horizontal shading.

Foundation formulations: water-based for oily skin, oil-based for dry skin, silicone-based for smoothing and longevity; coverage ranges from sheer to full.

Concealer placement: peach correctors for under-eye blue, green for redness, and a shade one step lighter than foundation for highlighting high points.

Eye shadow placement follows the socket line and brow bone; darker shades recede and lighter shades advance, and blending uses a clean brush.

Setting and finishing: translucent powder sets cream products, fixing spray reduces transfer, and SPF is required for daytime looks.

Makeup hygiene: products are dispensed onto a palette, brushes are cleaned and disinfected between clients, mascara and liquid liners use single-use applicators, and lip and eye products are never shared directly.