Assam ASSEB HSLC NSQF 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 sector

The industry covering hair care, skin care, nail services, makeup, and spa or wellness treatments delivered by trained professionals in salons, studios, spas, or mobile settings.

Personal services

Services performed directly on a client's body, such as facials, hair colouring, or manicures, which require stricter hygiene and consent standards than retail services.

NSQF

The National Skills Qualifications Framework, which describes levels of skill and competence so that vocational courses and job roles can be compared and recognised.

Hand hygiene duration

At least 20 seconds of scrubbing with soap, covering palms, backs of hands, between fingers and under nails, followed by rinsing and drying with a disposable towel.

Professional grooming baseline

Clean uniform, tied-back hair, short clean nails, closed-toe non-slip footwear, no strong perfume, and removal of jewellery that could trap dirt or scratch a client.

Skin type versus skin condition

Skin type (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive) is a lasting characteristic, while skin condition (dehydrated, acne-prone, pigmented) is temporary and can change.

Patch test

A small application of a product on the inner forearm or behind the ear, checked after 24 to 48 hours, to detect an allergic reaction before full use.

Facial contraindications

Conditions that make a facial unsafe, including open lesions, active infection, sunburn, recent chemical peel or waxing, eczema flare, and very sensitive or broken skin.

Hair cuticle

The outermost protective layer of the hair shaft, made of overlapping scale-like cells that control moisture loss and reflect light as shine.

Hair cortex

The main body of the hair shaft beneath the cuticle, containing keratin and melanin; chemical colouring and perming act mainly on this layer.

Hair porosity

How readily hair absorbs and retains moisture; high-porosity hair takes up product quickly and loses moisture fast, while low-porosity hair resists absorption.

Nail matrix

The tissue at the base of the nail beneath the cuticle that produces new nail plate cells; damage to it can permanently alter nail growth.

Nail plate

The visible hard layer of keratin covering the nail bed, which protects the sensitive tissue beneath and is the surface filed and polished during manicure.

Pedicure water temperature

A comfortable foot-bath temperature of roughly 37 to 40 degrees Celsius, with fresh water used for each client and the basin disinfected afterwards.

Base coat function

A clear first layer applied to the natural nail that protects the plate from staining, improves polish adhesion, and helps the colour last longer.

Foundation shade matching

Testing foundation on the jawline and neck in natural light, rather than on the hand or wrist, so the shade blends with the face and neck.

Colour correction principle

Opposite colours on the colour wheel neutralise each other: green cancels redness, peach or orange cancels blue-purple, and yellow corrects mild discolouration.

Eyebrow mapping points

Three reference points: the brow start aligned with the inner eye corner, the arch aligned with the pupil, and the end aligned with the outer eye corner.

Sterilisation versus disinfection

Sterilisation destroys all microorganisms including spores, while disinfection reduces most pathogens on surfaces and tools but may not eliminate spores.

Single-use items

Tools and materials such as nail files, blades, and cotton that contact skin or body fluids and must be discarded after one client, never reused.

Chemical eye splash first aid

Flush the eye with clean running water for at least 15 minutes, keep the eyelid open, and seek medical advice immediately afterwards.

Burn first aid in salon

Cool the burn under running water for about 20 minutes, do not apply ice or burst blisters, cover loosely, and refer serious burns for medical care.

Informed consent

Explaining a procedure, its risks, expected results, and alternatives, and obtaining the client's agreement before the service begins.

Active listening

Fully concentrating on the client, then paraphrasing their request back to confirm understanding before any product or tool is used.

Complaint handling sequence

Listen without interrupting, apologise for the experience, investigate the facts, offer a remedy within salon policy, and follow up with the client.

Break-even point

The service volume at which total revenue equals total costs, calculated as fixed costs divided by the difference between price and variable cost per service.

Salon business plan

A written outline of location and rent, equipment and product costs, staff costs, pricing, target clients, and the break-even point for the business.

Freelance beauty professional

A self-employed therapist or artist who travels to clients, reducing fixed costs but requiring portable equipment and strict hygiene discipline in each setting.

Client record card

A confidential record of contact details, service history, products used, patch test results, and any adverse reactions, checked before each new service.

Sharps disposal

Placing blades, broken glass, and other sharp items into a rigid, labelled sharps container rather than general waste to prevent injury and infection.

Station reset

After each client, cleaning and disinfecting tools and surfaces, separating clean from used items, capping chemicals, and switching off heated appliances.

Service workflow

The standard order of prepare and sanitise, greet and consult, perform the service, check the result with the client, then clean and reset the station.