LCA Hair and Beauty study guide
LCA Hair and Beauty · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The LCA Hair and Beauty qualification is a vocational credential for candidates preparing to work in hairdressing, beauty therapy, or a combined salon role. It suits school leavers entering the industry, career changers, and practising junior stylists or therapists who want formal recognition of practical skills alongside the theory that underpins safe salon work. The LCA Hair and Beauty study guide has 9 sections and about 2,210 words.
01Health, Safety and Hygiene in the Salon
Health, Safety and Hygiene in the Salon examines how legal duties become daily salon controls: risk assessment, COSHH, PPE, electrical safety, fire, waste and infection prevention. The exam favours practical decisions a junior stylist or therapist must make under pressure.
265 words, about 1 min02Client Consultation, Communication and Professional Ethics
Client Consultation, Communication and Professional Ethics tests whether you can gather valid information, obtain informed consent, protect confidentiality and recognise when to stop or refer. Use open questions first, then closed questions to confirm.
258 words, about 1 min03Hairdressing: Cutting, Styling and Finishing
Hairdressing: Cutting, Styling and Finishing tests geometry and control: sectioning, elevation, distribution, tension, guide lines, and finishing for the client's hair behaviour and lifestyle. Establish a clean baseline: consult, shampoo if needed, detangle, and check growth patterns, density, porosity and previous chemical damage.
241 words, about 1 min04Hairdressing: Colouring and Chemical Texture Services
Colouring and Chemical Texture Services tests the chemistry behind safe colour, bleach, perming and relaxing: colour theory, developer choice, patch and strand tests, application order, and neutralisation. Patch test colour products 48 hours before first use or after a gap, following the manufacturer; record the result.
256 words, about 1 min05Beauty Therapy: Skin Care, Facials and Make-up
Skin Care, Facials and Make-up tests skin assessment, product selection, cleansing and massage routines, mask choice, make-up colour matching and hygiene. Cleanse, tone and moisturise according to skin condition, not just type.
244 words, about 1 min06Beauty Therapy: Manicure, Pedicure and Nail Enhancements
Manicure, Pedicure and Nail Enhancements tests nail anatomy, safe preparation, shaping, cuticle care, polish, gel and acrylic application, and infection control. Identify nail plate, matrix, cuticle, eponychium and hyponychium.
232 words, about 1 min07Depilation, Waxing and Hair Removal
Depilation, Waxing and Hair Removal tests hair growth cycles, wax temperature, patch testing, direction of growth, contraindications and aftercare. Hair grows in anagen, catagen and telogen phases; waxing removes hair with the root, so regrowth timing varies.
247 words, about 1 min08Salon Business, Retail and Client Care
Salon Business, Retail and Client Care tests the commercial side of practice: costing, pricing, break-even, stock, retail, KPIs, GDPR and complaints. Separate fixed costs (rent, insurance, salaries) from variable costs (product, laundry, card fees).
229 words, about 1 min09Anatomy, Physiology and Cosmetic Science
Anatomy, Physiology and Cosmetic Science tests the structures and processes relevant to hair, skin and nails, plus formulation basics: pH, emulsions, surfactants, preservatives and active ingredients. Skin: epidermis (stratum corneum, keratinocytes), dermis (collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerves) and hypodermis.
238 words, about 1 min