Punjab PSEB Matric NSQF Beauty and Wellness key terms

The daily habits a beauty worker follows to keep the body clean and free of odour and infection, such as bathing, hand washing, oral care and wearing freshly laundered clothes.

The overall neat and professional appearance of a worker, covering clean uniform, tidy hair, trimmed nails, fresh breath, light deodorant and minimal jewellery.

The transfer of germs from one person, tool or surface to another, for example when an unwashed brush carries bacteria from one client's scalp to the next.

A process that destroys all micro-organisms, including spores, on metal tools such as scissors and extractors, usually done with an autoclave or hot-air oven.

Using a chemical solution to reduce harmful germs on tools and surfaces to a safe level; weaker than sterilisation and used for combs, bowls and workstations.

Routine cleaning that lowers the number of germs on hands, floors and surfaces to a safe public-health level, usually by washing with soap or detergent and water.

A product such as a disposable razor, emery board, waxing strip or nail file that is used on one client only and then thrown away to prevent cross-infection.

A short structured talk before a service in which the worker asks about the client's needs, allergies, medical history and expectations, then agrees on a treatment plan.

Any condition, medicine or allergy that makes a treatment unsafe or unwise, such as broken skin, pregnancy, diabetes or recent cosmetic surgery.

A small amount of product applied to the inner forearm or behind the ear and left for 24 to 48 hours to check for an allergic reaction before full use.

A client's clear agreement to a service after being told what it involves, its benefits, risks, cost and alternatives, given without pressure.

Keeping a client's personal details, health information and treatment records private and sharing them only with the client's permission or when the law requires.

The expected manners of a salon worker: greeting clients politely, listening without interrupting, keeping appointments, avoiding gossip, and not eating or using a phone at the workstation.

Giving full attention to a speaker, noting both words and body language, and repeating back the key points to confirm that the message was understood correctly.

Messages sent without words through posture, eye contact, facial expression, tone, touch and the distance kept from a client.

The thin outer layer of the skin, made of cells that are constantly renewed; it forms the body's first barrier against water loss, germs and injury.

The thicker layer under the epidermis that holds collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

The outermost part of the epidermis, made of flat dead cells rich in keratin, which protects the skin and is the layer that cleansers and exfoliants act on.

The brown pigment produced by cells called melanocytes that gives skin and hair their colour and helps shield deeper skin layers from ultraviolet radiation.

A small gland in the dermis, usually attached to a hair follicle, that releases sebum to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair.

The pocket-shaped structure in the dermis from which a hair grows; it contains the root, the hair bulb and a blood supply that feeds the hair.

The repeating pattern of growth, resting and shedding that every hair follows, with anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (rest and fall) phases.

How easily a strand takes in and holds moisture, judged by how quickly it absorbs water or product; low, medium and high porosity need different care.

The thickness of an individual strand, described as fine, medium or coarse, which affects how much product is needed and how long a service lasts.

The hard, visible part of the nail made of keratin that rests on the nail bed and protects the sensitive tip of the finger or toe.

The pinkish skin layer beneath the nail plate, packed with blood vessels and nerves, which supplies the plate with moisture and nourishment.

The thin band of skin at the base of the nail plate that seals the gap between skin and nail, helping to keep bacteria out of the nail unit.

The usual condition of a person's skin, classed as normal, dry, oily or combination, which decides which cleansers and moisturisers are suitable.

Removing make-up, sebum, sweat and dirt from the skin with a suitable cleanser, using gentle upward and outward strokes, as the first step of any facial.

Removing dead cells from the skin's surface with a scrub or a mild acid, which leaves skin smoother and brighter and helps later products absorb better.

A multi-step skin treatment that usually includes cleansing, exfoliation, massage, extraction if needed, a mask and moisturiser, chosen to suit the client's skin type.

Drying and shaping hair with a hand-held dryer and a brush, working section by section to build volume, smooth the cuticle or turn the ends under.

Dividing hair into clean, controlled parts with clips before cutting, colouring or styling so that each area is worked evenly and nothing is missed.

A spray or serum applied to hair before using dryers, straighteners or curling tongs to reduce heat damage and keep the hair shaft smooth.

A hand and nail service that covers shaping, cuticle care, massage of the hand and arm, and applying polish or a clear protective coat.

A foot and nail treatment that includes soaking, reducing hard skin, shaping nails, cuticle care, massage and polish, with extra care for clients with diabetes.

The rules that explain how colours mix and relate, including the colour wheel and complementary pairs, used to choose make-up shades and correct uneven tones.

Selecting a base shade and undertone that blend with the client's neck and jawline, tested in natural light, so the face does not look patchy or grey.

Starting and running one's own beauty business, which involves spotting a market need, planning finances, pricing services, marketing and managing legal duties.

Promoting a salon or freelance service online through social media posts, search listings, review sites, messaging apps and a simple website or booking page.

Protecting clients' personal and health information stored on phones, computers or booking apps, including using passwords and never posting client photos without permission.

Maintaining dated client cards and registers that note services given, products used, patch-test results, consent and payments, for safety and business follow-up.