Skin and Hair Analysis, and Record Keeping
What this domain covers
This domain tests your ability to classify skin by type and condition, assess hair and scalp, and write findings a colleague could act on.
Skin: type versus condition
- Types (genetic, fixed): normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive.
- Conditions (temporary, treatable): dehydration, oiliness, acne, pigmentation, ageing, sensitivity reactions.
Analysis methods include visual inspection under a magnifying lamp, observing tightness after cleansing, blotting paper on the T-zone and cheeks, and a Wood's lamp to reveal dehydration and pigment patterns.
Hair and scalp
Judge texture (fine, medium, coarse), density, porosity, elasticity, curl pattern and scalp state. Record chemical history such as colour, bleach, relaxer or keratin and the date of the last service, because that dictates what is safe today.
Record keeping
Use a SOAP note: Subjective complaint, Objective observations and patch-test result, Assessment of type and condition, Plan with products, service, aftercare and next appointment. Sign and date every entry, store cards locked or password protected, and never overwrite an earlier entry; add a dated correction instead.
Worked example
Skin looks shiny on the forehead and nose but feels tight on the cheeks after cleansing. Assessment: combination skin with dehydration. Plan: gel cleanser, hyaluronic serum, light lotion, SPF 30. Reasoning: the shine is sebum in the T-zone while the tightness is water loss, so the plan must add water without adding oil.
Traps
- Labelling dehydration as a skin type.
- Writing normal with no measurements behind it.
- Sharing before-and-after photos without written consent.