LCA Hair and Beauty flashcards

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

Disinfection versus sterilisation

Disinfection reduces pathogens on surfaces but may not destroy spores. Sterilisation destroys all microorganisms including spores, and is required for items that breach skin.

COSHH assessment

A legal requirement to assess risks from hazardous substances such as peroxide, bleach, acetone and monomer, and to record safe handling, storage and emergency measures.

Patch test timing

An allergy test applied to skin 48 hours before oxidative colour, and repeated after a long gap, a brand change or a previous reaction.

Informed consent

The client agrees to a service after being told what it involves, the products used, the risks, the cost and the alternatives, and the agreement is recorded.

Stationary guide

A section of hair cut first and used as a fixed reference length for all following sections, so the final shape stays even.

Over-direction

Cutting hair away from its natural fall position so length builds up in the direction of the pull, creating graduation or length increase.

Developer strength

The percentage of hydrogen peroxide in the developer, from 3% to 12%, which controls how much lift and deposit the colour delivers.

Pre-pigmentation

Applying warm tones to lightened hair before a darker target shade so the final colour does not appear green, grey or hollow.

Disulphide bond

A strong chemical bond between keratin fibres in the cortex, broken by relaxers and perms and reformed by neutraliser or oxidation.

Fitzpatrick scale

A six-point classification of skin response to ultraviolet light, used to judge burning risk and suitability for waxing, peels and light treatments.

Double cleanse

A facial cleansing method using an oil-based cleanser first to remove make-up and sunscreen, then a water-based cleanser for sweat and debris.

Nail matrix

The living tissue at the base of the nail that produces new plate cells; damage here causes permanent ridges or thinning of the nail.

Paronychia

Inflammation or infection of the skin around the nail, often bacterial or fungal, which is a contraindication for manicure until treated.

Anagen phase

The active growth stage of the hair cycle, lasting two to seven years, when hair is best removed by waxing because the root is fully formed.

Hot wax removal

Film wax is applied against the direction of hair growth, allowed to set, then removed without a strip, lifting coarse hair from sensitive areas.

Par level

The minimum stock quantity that triggers a reorder, set so the salon does not run out before the next delivery arrives.

Lifetime value

The total revenue a client generates over the whole relationship, calculated from average ticket, visit frequency and years of loyalty.

Stratum corneum

The outermost skin layer of flattened keratinised cells and lipids that forms the barrier controlling water loss and ingredient penetration.

Hydrogen bond

A weak bond in hair broken by water and heat, allowing temporary styling; it reforms as hair dries and cools, setting the shape.

FIFO stock rotation

First in, first out: older stock is used before newer stock so products do not expire on the shelf and waste is reduced.

Contraindication

A condition, medication or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or inadvisable, requiring deferral, modification or medical referral.

Graduation at 45 degrees

Cutting hair at 45 degrees elevation from a fixed guide builds a stacked, graduated line with weight at the perimeter and length increasing upward.

Neutralisation step

The process after relaxing or perming that reforms disulphide bonds and lowers pH, stopping the chemical action and fixing the new shape.

Skin undertone

The underlying warm, cool or neutral cast of the skin, assessed before surface colour, which determines which make-up shades harmonise.

Onycholysis

Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, which is a contraindication for nail enhancements until the cause is identified and treated.

Telogen phase

The resting stage of the hair cycle, lasting about three months, ending when the old hair sheds and a new anagen hair begins to grow.

Strip wax direction

Wax is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed against it while the skin is held taut, reducing breakage and discomfort.

Chair utilisation

The percentage of available working hours a styling chair is actually earning, used to judge staffing and booking efficiency.

Emulsion

A stable mixture of oil and water held together by an emulsifier; oil-in-water is light, water-in-oil is richer and more occlusive.

Hair cuticle

The outer layer of overlapping scales on a hair shaft; when smooth it reflects light, when raised the hair feels rough and looks dull.

Clinical waste

Waste contaminated with blood or body fluids, such as used blades or wax strips, which must be segregated and collected under a licensed contract.

Reflective listening

Restating the client's meaning in your own words to confirm understanding before agreeing a service plan or recommending retail products.