Skin and Hair Analysis
Skin and hair analysis: observe, ask, confirm
This domain tests recognition of skin types, scalp and hair conditions, and the questions that support a safe recommendation. Expect questions on T-zone shine, dehydration, porosity and contraindications.
Core rules
- Analyse clean skin in good natural or magnifying light. Ask about cleansing routine, medication, sensitivity, sun exposure and changes over time.
- Skin types: normal (balanced), dry (tight, flaky, small pores), oily (shine, enlarged pores, comedones), combination (oily T-zone, dry cheeks) and sensitive (redness, stinging, reacts easily).
- Hair: note texture (fine, medium or coarse), density, porosity (how quickly hair absorbs water), elasticity, scalp condition (dry, oily, flaky or inflamed) and curl pattern.
- High-porosity hair absorbs and loses moisture quickly; low-porosity hair resists water and can feel product-heavy.
- Redness, swelling, hives or unexplained lesions are referral points, not analysis findings to treat.
Worked example
A client has shine across the forehead and nose, tight cheeks in winter, and visible pores on the nose. This is combination skin with dehydration, not simply oily skin. Recommend a gentle non-stripping cleanser, light gel moisturiser on the T-zone, a richer cream on cheeks, and daily SPF. Reasoning: treating the whole face as oily would worsen cheek tightness; treating it as dry would leave the T-zone congested.
Traps
- Analysing over make-up.
- Calling surface shine oily without checking tightness.
- Using a single question to decide hair porosity.
- Treating inflamed or broken skin.