QQI Level 5 Hairdressing flashcards

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

Cuticle layer

The outer protective layer of the hair shaft, made of overlapping scales that protect the cortex and control porosity. Damage to the cuticle causes dryness, dullness, and breakage.

Cortex

The middle and thickest layer of the hair shaft, containing keratin and melanin. It gives hair its strength, elasticity, and colour, and is where chemical changes occur.

Anagen phase

The active growth phase of the hair cycle, lasting two to seven years. About 80-90% of scalp hair is in anagen at any time.

Disulfide bond

A strong chemical bond between cysteine amino acids in the cortex. It is broken by reducing agents in perming and re-formed by oxidation during neutralising.

Porosity

The hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture, determined by the condition of the cuticle. High porosity absorbs quickly but loses moisture and needs gentle chemical processing.

Patch test

A skin test for allergy to colour or perm chemicals, applied to a small area 48 hours before the first application. A positive reaction contra-indicates the service.

Risk assessment

A documented process of identifying hazards in the salon, evaluating who may be harmed and how, and recording control measures. Required under health and safety legislation.

Disinfection

The use of a chemical agent to reduce micro-organisms on tools to a safe level. Tools are cleaned with detergent first, then disinfected after each client.

Contra-indication

A condition or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or inadvisable, such as a scalp infection, a positive patch test, or recent henna use. The service should be refused or referred.

Natural depth level

A scale from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde) used to describe the lightness or darkness of natural hair colour. It is identified before selecting a target shade.

Open question

A question that invites a detailed answer and cannot be answered with yes or no, e.g., 'What do you dislike about your hair?' Used to gather information during consultation.

Surfactant

A molecule with a water-loving head and an oil-loving tail that lifts sebum and dirt from hair so it can be rinsed away. The active ingredient in shampoo.

Deep conditioner

A treatment product that penetrates the cortex to restore moisture and protein in damaged or porous hair. Left on for the manufacturer's time, then rinsed.

Tinea capitis

A contagious fungal infection of the scalp (ringworm) causing scaling and hair loss. It must not be treated in the salon; the client is referred to a GP.

Graduation angle

The elevation at which hair is held during cutting. 0° gives one length, 45° graduation, 90° uniform layer, and 180° long graduation.

Blunt cut

A cut made with the scissors parallel to the subsection at zero elevation, creating a solid weight line and a strong perimeter.

Point cutting

A texturising technique where the scissor points are used to cut into the ends of a section, softening the line and reducing weight without creating a blunt edge.

Developer volume

The strength of hydrogen peroxide used in colouring, expressed as a percentage or volume. 3% (10 vol) deposits, 6% (20 vol) lifts one level, 9% (30 vol) lifts two to three levels.

Law of colour

The principle that underlying pigment exposed during lightening must be neutralised by its opposite colour on the colour wheel: red with green, orange with blue, yellow with violet.

Semi-permanent colour

A deposit-only colour that lasts about six to eight washes and cannot lighten natural pigment. It is used to tone, refresh, or add shine.

Test curl

A check during perming where a rod is unwound slightly to see whether the desired curl has formed. It determines when to rinse and neutralise.

Neutraliser

An oxidising product applied after rinsing perm lotion. It re-forms the disulfide bonds in their new shape, locking in the curl.

Perm rod size

The diameter of the rod determines the size of the curl: small rods give tight curls, large rods give loose waves. The rod should be no wider than the natural curl diameter.

Backcombing

A styling technique of pushing hair toward the scalp with a comb to create volume and support an upstyle. It should be done gently to avoid cuticle damage.

French pleat

An upstyle where the hair is sectioned, the crown backcombed, and the side sections rolled into a vertical roll secured with pins.

Kirby grip

A wavy hair pin used to secure upstyles. It is inserted with the wavy side down and the closed end toward the scalp for a secure hold.

Break-even point

The level of sales at which total revenue equals total costs, calculated as fixed costs divided by contribution per service (price minus variable cost).

GDPR

General Data Protection Regulation, which governs how client personal data is stored and used. Clients have the right to access their data and to have errors corrected.

LEARN model

A complaint-handling sequence: Listen, Empathise, Apologise, Resolve, Notify. It ensures the client feels heard and the issue is recorded and followed up.

Reflective journal

A logbook kept during work experience recording daily tasks, new skills, and feedback. It provides evidence for the QQI portfolio and supports professional development.

CPD

Continuing Professional Development: ongoing learning activities such as workshops and trade reading that maintain and update professional skills. Often recorded in hours or points.

Workplace induction

The first-day orientation covering fire exits, first aid, chemical storage, accident reporting, and salon protocols. It is a legal and insurance requirement for learners.