Assam ASSEB HS Skill Subject Beauty and Wellness flashcards

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

Beauty and wellness segments

The sector includes hair care, skin care, nail services, makeup, spa and massage, and wellness retail; each segment has distinct tools, training and service standards.

Organized vs unorganized sector

Organized salons are registered, taxed and follow written safety systems; unorganized providers operate informally, so clients and workers may lack insurance, regulated training and documented hygiene.

Entry-level salon roles

Common starting jobs are shampoo assistant, salon assistant and junior stylist; these roles build client handling, hygiene and basic service skills before advanced technical specialization.

Scope of practice

The limit of what a beauty professional may legally and safely do; it excludes diagnosing or treating medical skin, hair or nail disease, which requires referral to a qualified doctor.

Informed consent

A client's voluntary agreement after being told the service, products, risks, alternatives and costs; it must be documented before colour, chemical or invasive nail services.

Professional boundary

The limit that protects the worker-client relationship, covering confidentiality, physical contact, personal disclosure and dual relationships; breaching it can harm trust and lead to disciplinary action.

Epidermis layers

From deepest to surface: basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum (palms and soles) and corneum; keratinocytes migrate upward and are shed from the corneum.

Hair shaft layers

The hair shaft has three layers: the cuticle, a protective outer scale layer; the cortex, which holds pigment and strength; and the medulla, a central core often absent in fine hair.

Nail matrix

The living tissue beneath the proximal nail fold that produces the nail plate; damage to the matrix causes permanent nail deformity, so it must never be cut or probed.

Cleaning vs disinfection

Cleaning removes soil with soap and water; disinfection kills most pathogens on surfaces using a chemical with correct contact time; sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores.

Autoclave settings

Standard steam sterilization is 121°C at 15 psi for 15–20 minutes, or 134°C for 3–4 minutes; items must be cleaned, pouched and dried before cycles.

Patch test timing

A small amount of colour or chemical is applied to the skin and assessed after 48 hours; a positive reaction (redness, swelling, itch) means the service must not proceed.

PPE in salon

Personal protective equipment includes disposable gloves, apron, mask and safety glasses; it protects the worker from chemicals, blood, fungi and splashes during services.

Hair growth cycle

Anagen is the 2–7 year growth phase; catagen is a 2–3 week transition; telogen is a 3-month resting phase; exogen is shedding. About 50–100 hairs shed daily is normal.

Developer volume conversion

Hydrogen peroxide strengths: 10 volume = 3%, 20 volume = 6%, 30 volume = 9%, 40 volume = 12%; higher volumes lift more but increase scalp irritation and damage risk.

Hair porosity

How readily hair absorbs and retains moisture; low porosity resists water and needs heat, medium is balanced, high porosity is damaged and absorbs fast but loses moisture quickly.

Fitzpatrick scale

A six-point classification of skin response to ultraviolet light, from type I (always burns, never tans) to type VI (never burns, deeply pigmented); it guides sun protection advice.

Skin analysis T-zone

The forehead, nose and chin form the T-zone, which is usually oilier; comparing it with cheeks identifies oily, dry, combination or normal skin and guides product choice.

Facial massage movements

Effleurage is gliding, petrissage is kneading, tapotement is tapping, friction is small circular pressure and vibration is rapid shaking; each has a specific purpose and contraindication.

Complementary color correction

Opposite colors on the color wheel neutralize each other: green reduces redness, peach or orange reduces blue-dark circles, purple reduces yellow sallowness, and yellow reduces purple bruising.

Foundation shade matching

Test foundation on the jawline in natural light, not on the hand; the correct shade blends invisibly with both face and neck and should be checked after it oxidizes.

Bridal makeup priority

Long-wear, photograph-friendly products and waterproof eye makeup matter most; the look must survive tears, heat, hugging and flash photography while matching the outfit and lighting.

Nail plate growth rate

Fingernails grow about 3 mm per month and take 3–6 months to replace; toenails grow slower at about 1 mm per month and take 12–18 months.

Cuticle care rule

The cuticle seals the nail plate; only push back softened, non-living cuticle and never cut live tissue, because cutting causes infection, ridges and paronychia.

Pedicure diabetes precaution

Clients with diabetes or poor circulation need a doctor's clearance, gentle filing, no sharp callus tools, warm-not-hot water and immediate referral for any cut or redness.

Break-even point

The number of services needed to cover total costs: fixed costs divided by (price per service minus variable cost per service). Above this point the salon makes profit.

Service recovery LEARN

Listen without interrupting, Empathize, Apologize sincerely, Resolve with a practical action, and Notify a manager or follow up; this turns a complaint into retained trust.

Active listening

Fully concentrating, nodding, paraphrasing and asking clarifying questions instead of planning a reply; it helps identify the client's real hair, skin or nail concern.

Pre-service safety check

Before starting, confirm consultation and consent, check for allergies and contraindications, sanitize hands and tools, arrange PPE and ensure the client is comfortably draped.

Aftercare advice

Post-service instructions that protect the result, such as avoiding heat or chlorine after colour, using SPF after facials, and moisturizing nails; give written advice and a contact for problems.

Portfolio evidence

A curated record of skills: CV, certificates, consented before-and-after photographs, case studies, reflective notes and service logs that show competence and professional growth.

Viva explanation

An oral assessment where the candidate explains what was done, why, which safety checks were applied and what aftercare was advised; clear terminology and honesty about errors earn marks.