Karnataka II PUC Beauty and Wellness (KSEAB) cheat sheet

Beauty and wellness services divide into hair, skin, nail, and makeup categories; each has distinct tools, products, and safety rules.

Skin is the body's largest organ; its three layers are epidermis (outer, avascular), dermis (nerves, glands, vessels), and subcutaneous (fat, insulation).

The acid mantle is a slightly acidic film (about pH 4.5-5.5) on skin that limits bacterial growth and retains moisture.

Hair has three layers: cuticle (outer protective scales), cortex (bulk, pigment, strength), and medulla (central core, often absent in fine hair).

Nail anatomy: nail plate, nail bed, matrix (growth site), cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, and lunula (visible matrix).

Wellness covers physical, mental, and social wellbeing; salon services support grooming, relaxation, and self-esteem rather than medical treatment.

Cosmetology is the study and practice of beauty treatment; a salon professional's scope excludes diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Growth phases of hair: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest); normal shedding is roughly 50-100 hairs daily.

Confidentiality rule: client health details, personal information, and service records are not shared without consent.

Scope-of-practice rule: refer clients with suspected skin, scalp, or nail disease to a qualified medical professional instead of treating it.

Informed consent: explain the service, products, possible reactions, and cost before beginning work.

Honesty rule: never claim a product cures a condition; describe benefits accurately and state realistic outcomes.

Professional boundaries: avoid personal or financial relationships that could compromise fair treatment of clients.

Punctuality and record-keeping are ethical duties; service notes should record products used, timings, and any reactions.

Non-discrimination: services are offered regardless of caste, religion, gender, disability, or appearance, within safety limits.

Advertising ethics: before-and-after images require client permission, and edited or misleading claims are not permitted.

Sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfection kills most pathogens on surfaces but not spores.

Sanitizing lowers microbial count to a safe public-health level; it is the minimum standard for tools between clients.

Single-use items (razor blades, emery boards, cotton, wooden spatulas) are discarded after one client and never reused.

Implements contacting blood or broken skin are cleaned, then disinfected with an approved hospital-grade product at label dilution and contact time.

Hand hygiene: wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after each client; alcohol sanitizer is a fallback.

Electrical safety: keep cords away from water, use properly earthed sockets, and never touch equipment with wet hands.

Chemical safety: store acids, bleaches, and peroxides in labeled, closed containers away from heat and direct sunlight.

First aid for chemical splash in the eye: flush with clean running water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical help.

Waste segregation: sharps in puncture-proof containers, chemical waste separately, and general waste in covered bins.

Skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive; skin conditions (dehydration, acne, pigmentation) are not the same as types.

Cleansing removes surface dirt and sebum; toning restores pH; exfoliation removes dead corneocytes; moisturizer reduces transepidermal water loss.

Facial sequence: consultation, cleansing, exfoliation, steaming (optional), extraction (trained staff only), massage, mask, moisturizer, sun protection.

Patch testing a new product on the inner forearm or behind the ear for 24-48 hours reduces allergy risk.

Massage movements follow upward and outward direction along muscle fibers; avoid pressure over bones, eyes, and inflamed areas.

Contraindications for facial: open wounds, active herpes, severe sunburn, recent chemical peel, and uncontrolled skin infection.

Clay masks suit oily skin; hydrating gel or cream masks suit dry and sensitive skin; peel-off masks are avoided on sensitive skin.

Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is the final step of a daytime facial; SPF indicates UVB protection, PA or broad-spectrum indicates UVA.

Hair is mostly keratin protein; the cortex's disulfide bonds determine curl, strength, and response to chemical services.

Shampoo selection follows scalp condition: oily scalps need clarifying formulas, dry scalps need mild sulfate-free formulas.

Conditioner is applied to mid-lengths and ends, not the scalp, to avoid weighing hair down and clogging follicles.

Hair porosity affects product absorption: high-porosity hair absorbs and loses moisture quickly and needs protein or sealing treatments.

Scalp massage increases local circulation; it is avoided over inflamed, broken, or infected scalp areas.

Hot oil and deep-conditioning treatments work by heat-assisted penetration; follow manufacturer timing to avoid over-processing.

Dandruff is a scalp condition; persistent scaling, redness, or sores require medical referral, not salon treatment.

Wet hair stretches more and breaks easily; detangle from ends upward with a wide-tooth comb.

Cutting angles: 0 degrees gives a blunt one-length line; 45 degrees gives graduation; 90 degrees gives uniform layers; 180 degrees gives long layers.

Elevation is the angle at which hair is held from the head; it controls where weight and volume sit in the finished shape.

Sectioning divides hair into controlled panels (four or five sections) so each subsection is cut with the same tension.

Tension rule: hold hair consistently taut; uneven tension produces uneven lines and an unbalanced result.

Blunt cutting creates a solid weight line; point cutting and slide cutting soften ends and reduce bulk.

Texturizing thins or blends weight; over-texturizing removes bulk needed for styling support.

Blow-dry styling: rough-dry to about 80% dry, then use a nozzle and round brush, directing airflow from root to tip for smoothness.

Thermal tools: keep irons below about 180-200 degrees Celsius on fine or damaged hair and always use a heat protectant.

The hair color wheel: primary colors are red, yellow, and blue; secondary colors are orange, green, and violet; opposite colors neutralize.

Level system runs 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde); a color's number states depth first, then tone (for example 6.3 is dark blonde gold).

Hydrogen peroxide developer volumes: 10 vol (3%) deposits tone, 20 vol (6%) lifts 1-2 levels, 30 vol (9%) lifts 2-3, 40 vol (12%) lifts 3-4.

Strand test before any chemical service predicts timing, result, and possible damage; record the outcome.

Patch test 24-48 hours before color, especially with oxidative dyes containing PPD, to detect allergy.

Relaxers and permanent waves break and rebuild disulfide bonds; never overlap these services on the same hair section without assessment.

Chemical service contraindications: broken scalp, recent henna or metallic dye, pregnancy caution, and history of allergic reaction.

Neutralization: after a relaxer, an acidic shampoo lowers pH and stops the chemical action; rinsing must be thorough.

Manicure sequence: sanitize hands, shape nails, soak, push back cuticles gently, trim hangnails, massage, polish, and dry.

Nail filing: file in one direction with a fine-grit file; back-and-forth sawing on natural nails causes splitting.

Cuticle is living tissue; it is pushed back, not cut, except for loose dead skin, to prevent infection and ridges.

Nail plate shape: square, squoval, oval, round, and almond; shape is chosen to suit finger shape and nail strength.

Contraindications for nail services: paronychia, fungal infection, warts, open cuts, and inflamed skin around the nail.

Pedicure tools and basins are disinfected between clients; basins are lined or disinfected with an approved product at label dilution.

Gel polish removal uses acetone soak and gentle lifting; scraping or peeling damages the nail plate.

Ingrown toenail: do not cut into the corner; refer to a podiatrist or doctor if there is pain, swelling, or pus.

Foundation shade matching is done at the jawline in natural light; the shade should blend with the neck, not just the face.

Undertone categories are warm (yellow, golden), cool (pink, blue), and neutral; undertone differs from surface skin color.

Color correction: green neutralizes redness, peach or orange corrects blue or dark circles, purple corrects yellow dullness.

Face shapes (oval, round, square, heart, long) guide contour and highlight placement; contour recedes, highlight advances.

Makeup order: primer, foundation, concealer, powder, brows, eyes, blush, contour, lips, setting spray.

Hygiene: sharpen pencils before each use, wash brushes regularly, never double-dip mascara wands, and use disposable applicators.

Eyeshadow blending follows light-to-dark placement; dark shades sit in the crease and outer corner, light shades on the lid and brow bone.

Contraindications: avoid makeup over open lesions, active eye infection, or irritated skin; refer to a doctor if infection is suspected.

Service pricing must cover product cost, labor time, overhead, and profit margin; cost-plus and competitive pricing are common methods.

Break-even point is fixed costs divided by the contribution margin per service (price minus variable cost per service).

Retail vs professional product: retail stock is sold to clients for home use, professional stock is used in-salon only.

Appointment records, client cards, and service history support repeat business and safe product selection.

Inventory control: track usage per service, set reorder levels, and rotate stock so older products are used first.

GST registration thresholds and licensing rules follow current Indian law; check state and central requirements before advertising.

Marketing tools include referrals, social media before-and-after posts with consent, loyalty offers, and seasonal packages.

Salon layout separates reception, styling, skin, nail, and wash areas to control cross-contamination and client flow.

Consultation steps: greet, ask open questions, listen, analyze, recommend, confirm consent, and record the plan.

Open questions start with what, how, or describe; closed questions confirm yes/no details such as timing or allergies.

Active listening includes eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing, and not interrupting; it builds trust and reduces complaints.

Body language: keep an open posture, respect personal space, and match the client's tone without mirroring irritation.

Handling complaints: listen fully, apologize for the experience, state the remedy, and follow up; avoid arguing in front of other clients.

Entrepreneurship basics: identify a market need, prepare a business plan, estimate startup cost, and arrange finance and licenses.

Record-keeping and basic accounting (income, expenses, taxes) are legal duties for a salon owner.

Digital presence: consistent branding, service menus, price lists, and honest reviews support client acquisition.

Workstation setup: clean surface, sanitized tools laid in order of use, covered trolley, waste bin, and hand sanitizer within reach.

Client protection: gown or cape, neck strip, towel, and patch test where required before chemical or color services.

Gowning and draping order: towel around the neck, then cape over the towel, fastened without pinching the skin.

Tool handling: hold scissors with the thumb in the finger rest and cut with the tips; pass tools handle-first to another person.

Product measurement: follow label ratios exactly (for example color to developer 1:1 or 1:2 as specified); never guess.

Timing discipline: use a timer for color, relaxer, and bleach; over-processing causes irreversible damage.

Post-service steps: remove cape, check the result with the client, clean and disinfect tools, and record the service.

Workshop safety: keep aisles clear, store chemicals below eye level, and know the location of the first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.