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Punjab PSEB Senior Secondary NSQF Beauty and Wellness study materials
Punjab PSEB Senior Secondary NSQF Beauty and Wellness study resources

Punjab PSEB Senior Secondary NSQF Beauty and Wellness practice questions

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Question 1Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

In the NSQF Beauty and Wellness course, which sector does the qualification primarily prepare a student to work in?

  1. Automobile repair services
  2. Beauty and personal care services Correct answer.
  3. Building construction trades
  4. Food processing and packaging

Explanation

The Beauty and Wellness qualification belongs to the beauty and personal care services sector, covering salons, spas and grooming services. Its job roles such as hair stylist, beautician and spa therapist all fall within this service sector.

Question 2Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

A client with an open cut on the scalp arrives for a hair wash. What is the most appropriate professional response?

  1. Carry out the wash quickly to reduce contact time
  2. Proceed with the wash but use cold water only
  3. Postpone the service and advise the client to get the cut treated Correct answer.
  4. Continue the service and cover the cut with shampoo lather

Explanation

Open wounds are a contra-indication for water-based salon services because water, shampoo and massage can introduce infection and irritate the tissue. The safe professional action is to defer the service and refer the client for basic first aid or medical care.

Question 3Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Which of these is the correct order for the basic steps of a standard facial service?

  1. Moisturising, cleansing, exfoliation, toning
  2. Massage, cleansing, toning, moisturising
  3. Cleansing, exfoliation, massage, mask, moisturising Correct answer.
  4. Mask, cleansing, massage, toning

Explanation

A professional facial moves from cleansing the skin, to exfoliating dead cells, then massage to stimulate circulation, a mask for treatment, and finally moisturiser to seal in hydration. Cleansing must come first so later products can penetrate, and moisturiser comes last.

Question 4Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Why is a patch test recommended before applying a chemical hair colour or dye to a new client?

  1. To detect a possible allergic reaction to the dye ingredients Correct answer.
  2. To check whether the client likes the chosen shade
  3. To measure how long the colour will last on the hair
  4. To confirm the client's hair is long enough for colouring

Explanation

A patch test places a small amount of product on the skin to detect sensitivity or allergy, especially to ingredients such as PPD found in oxidative dyes. It protects the client from a severe reaction during the full service and is a standard salon safety practice.

Question 5Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

A beautician notices that a client's skin is red, warm and itchy after a waxing service. What should the professional do first?

  1. Recommend another waxing session the next day
  2. Cover the area with a heavy foundation
  3. Apply a strong exfoliating scrub to the area
  4. Stop the service, soothe the area and record the reaction Correct answer.

Explanation

Redness, warmth and itching are signs of irritation or a possible allergic reaction, so the service should stop and the skin should be soothed with cool compresses or a calming product. The reaction must be recorded and the client advised to seek medical help if it worsens.

Question 6Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Which personal quality is most directly shown when a salon professional listens carefully to a client's concerns and repeats them back before starting a service?

  1. Time management
  2. Active listening Correct answer.
  3. Product knowledge
  4. Inventory control

Explanation

Active listening means giving full attention, then confirming understanding by summarising what the client said. Repeating the client's concerns back shows this skill and reduces the risk of a misunderstood service request.

Question 7Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

What is the main purpose of the consultation step before a beauty service?

  1. To test the client's knowledge of beauty products
  2. To upsell the most expensive products in the salon
  3. To finish the service faster by skipping later steps
  4. To record the client's needs, history and expectations and plan a safe service Correct answer.

Explanation

Consultation gathers information about the client's needs, allergies, medical history and expectations so the professional can plan a suitable and safe service. It also builds trust and gives a written record for future visits.

Question 8Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

A salon worker must lift a heavy box of shampoo bottles from the floor. Which technique best reduces the risk of back injury?

  1. Lift quickly with straight arms and lean forward
  2. Bend the waist, keep legs straight and twist while lifting
  3. Hold the box at arm's length and turn the upper body
  4. Bend the knees, keep the back straight and hold the load close to the body Correct answer.

Explanation

Safe manual handling uses the leg muscles, keeps the back straight and holds the load close to the body to reduce strain on the spine. Twisting and bending at the waist are common causes of back injury in salons.

Question 9Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Which of these is an example of a single-use item in a salon that should be discarded after one client?

  1. A disposable nail file Correct answer.
  2. A metal tail comb
  3. A ceramic mixing bowl
  4. A stainless steel cutting comb

Explanation

Single-use items are designed to be used once and then thrown away, such as disposable nail files, emery boards and wooden spatulas. Reusable metal or ceramic tools are cleaned and disinfected between clients instead.

Question 10Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

In a salon, what is the difference between cleaning and disinfection?

  1. Cleaning kills all germs while disinfection only removes dust
  2. They are exactly the same process with different names
  3. Cleaning removes visible dirt while disinfection reduces or kills many germs on surfaces Correct answer.
  4. Disinfection is only done on floors and cleaning only on tools

Explanation

Cleaning physically removes dirt, oils and residues, while disinfection uses chemicals to reduce or kill many micro-organisms on surfaces and tools. Cleaning usually comes first because dirt can prevent disinfectants from working properly.

Question 11Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Which of these best describes the role of a spa therapist within the beauty and wellness sector?

  1. Providing treatments such as massage and body therapies for relaxation and wellbeing Correct answer.
  2. Preparing food for clients in the spa café
  3. Selling insurance policies to clients
  4. Repairing salon electrical equipment

Explanation

A spa therapist delivers treatments such as massage, body wraps and relaxation therapies aimed at wellbeing. The role requires knowledge of anatomy basics, hygiene and client care rather than catering, repairs or insurance.

Question 12Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

A client with diabetes books a pedicure and has a small wound on the toe. How should the professional proceed?

  1. Perform the pedicure but avoid using any tools
  2. Apply antiseptic and continue with the full pedicure
  3. Refuse the service and refer the client to a doctor Correct answer.
  4. Soak the foot longer to soften the wound

Explanation

Clients with diabetes heal slowly and are at high risk of infection, so any wound on the foot is a reason to avoid pedicure services and refer to a medical professional. This protects the client from serious complications.

Question 13Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Which statement correctly explains why a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should be kept for salon chemicals?

  1. It provides information on hazards, safe handling and first aid for the chemical Correct answer.
  2. It gives the price list for the products in stock
  3. It records the client's appointment history
  4. It lists the staff duty roster for the week

Explanation

An MSDS, now often called an SDS, gives information on a chemical's hazards, safe handling, storage and emergency first-aid measures. Keeping it available helps staff respond correctly to spills or exposure.

Question 14Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

A new stylist wants to know why tools are disinfected between every client. Which explanation is most accurate?

  1. To make the tools look shiny for the next client
  2. To prevent the transfer of micro-organisms from one client to another Correct answer.
  3. To make the tools easier to hold
  4. To reduce the cost of buying new tools

Explanation

Disinfection between clients breaks the chain of cross-infection by reducing micro-organisms on tools such as combs and scissors. This protects both clients and staff from conditions such as fungal infections and lice.

Question 15Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

A client requests a service that the professional is not trained to perform safely. What is the most professional action?

  1. Persuade the client to buy a product instead
  2. Explain the limitation and refer the client to a qualified colleague Correct answer.
  3. Attempt the service and learn from any mistakes
  4. Perform a simplified version without telling the client

Explanation

Working within one's scope of competence is a core professional and legal duty; attempting an unfamiliar service risks harm and liability. The correct action is to be honest, explain the limitation and refer the client to someone qualified.

Question 16Introduction to Beauty and Wellness Industry

Which of these best explains the purpose of maintaining client records in a beauty salon?

  1. To advertise the client's name on the salon noticeboard
  2. To replace the need for a consultation on repeat visits
  3. To share the client's personal details with other businesses
  4. To track service history, allergies and preferences for safe future services Correct answer.

Explanation

Client records hold treatment history, allergies, reactions and preferences so future services can be planned safely and consistently. They are confidential and should be shared only with the client's consent, and they support rather than replace consultation.

Question 17Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

In a PSEB NSQF beauty salon, why must a therapist wash their hands with soap and water before and after every client service?

  1. To soften the skin so that massage movements glide more easily
  2. To improve the fragrance of the products used during the service
  3. To remove transient microorganisms and prevent cross-contamination between clients Correct answer.
  4. To comply with a rule that applies only to medical clinics

Explanation

Hand hygiene removes transient microorganisms picked up from surfaces and previous clients, which is the main route of cross-contamination in a salon. Washing before and after each service protects both the client and the therapist and is a basic infection-control requirement in beauty practice.

Question 18Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A client arrives at a salon with an open cut on the forearm. What is the most appropriate professional action before starting a manicure?

  1. Proceed normally because a small cut poses no risk
  2. Cover the cut with a waterproof dressing and continue with extra care Correct answer.
  3. Apply nail polish directly over the cut to seal it
  4. Ask the client to sign a form and then ignore the cut

Explanation

An open lesion is a portal of entry for pathogens and a source of bloodborne exposure, so it must be covered with a waterproof dressing before service. The therapist then continues while avoiding contact with the dressing and maintaining hand hygiene.

Question 19Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Which practice correctly describes sanitising a work surface in a beauty treatment room?

  1. Wiping with a clean cloth dampened with plain water only
  2. Sweeping debris onto the floor and leaving it there
  3. Cleaning away visible soil and then applying a suitable disinfectant Correct answer.
  4. Spraying perfume over the surface to mask odours

Explanation

Effective surface hygiene requires cleaning to remove visible soil first, because organic matter reduces disinfectant action, followed by a suitable disinfectant. Water alone or fragrance does not reduce microbial load.

Question 20Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A therapist has a small cut on the finger. Which combination best protects the client and the therapist during a facial service?

  1. A waterproof dressing plus a glove on the affected hand Correct answer.
  2. Bare hands with frequent wiping on a towel
  3. A fabric plaster alone, replaced at the end of the day
  4. A cotton bandage that is left loose

Explanation

A waterproof dressing seals the lesion and a glove provides a barrier over it, preventing bloodborne pathogens from reaching the client and protecting the therapist. Fabric plasters and loose cotton bandages are not fluid-resistant barriers.

Question 21Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

According to professional ethics in beauty services, how should a therapist handle a client's personal information collected during consultation?

  1. Post it on the salon's public notice board
  2. Keep it confidential and use it only for the client's care Correct answer.
  3. Sell it to product companies for marketing
  4. Share it with other clients as an example of good service

Explanation

Client information such as health details, contact data and treatment records is confidential and must be used only for the client's care. Sharing or selling it without consent breaches professional ethics and privacy obligations.

Question 22Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Before performing a chemical hair treatment, what is the most important reason for carrying out a patch test?

  1. To check whether the client likes the product fragrance
  2. To calculate the final price of the service
  3. To detect a possible allergic reaction before full application Correct answer.
  4. To decide the length of the appointment

Explanation

A patch test exposes a small area of skin to the product to detect sensitisation or allergy before full application, reducing the risk of a severe reaction. It is a safety step, not a commercial or preference check.

Question 23Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A client with a known allergy to a specific hair dye ingredient requests that colour. What is the ethically correct response?

  1. Apply the product because the client has requested it
  2. Apply the product but reduce the processing time
  3. Decline that product and offer a suitable alternative after consultation Correct answer.
  4. Mix the product with water to weaken it

Explanation

The therapist must not knowingly apply a product to which the client is allergic, even on request, because the duty of care takes priority. The professional response is to explain the risk and offer a safe alternative after consultation.

Question 24Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

How should used razor blades and other sharp items be handled in a beauty salon?

  1. Wrapped in tissue and dropped into the general bin
  2. Left on the trolley for the next client
  3. Stored loose in a drawer with other tools
  4. Placed in a puncture-resistant sharps container after use Correct answer.

Explanation

Sharps must be disposed of immediately in a dedicated puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries and bloodborne exposure. General bins, trolleys and loose drawers create injury and contamination risks.

Question 25Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Which statement best explains why tools such as nail clippers and metal implements are cleaned before disinfection or sterilisation?

  1. Organic matter reduces the effectiveness of disinfectants and sterilants Correct answer.
  2. Cleaning makes the tools look shiny for the client
  3. Cleaning is required only for tools used on children
  4. Cleaning replaces the need for any further decontamination

Explanation

Visible soil and organic matter such as blood and skin residue can shield microorganisms and reduce the action of disinfectants and sterilants. Cleaning must therefore precede disinfection or sterilisation for the process to be effective.

Question 26Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A salon worker develops redness and itching on the hands after repeated contact with shampoos. What is the most appropriate first professional step?

  1. Report it, review product contact and use gloves as advised Correct answer.
  2. Ignore it and continue working without change
  3. Apply a strong household bleach to the hands
  4. Share the client's towel to dry the hands

Explanation

Occupational skin reactions should be reported and the cause reviewed, with protective gloves and suitable products used as advised. Ignoring symptoms or applying harsh chemicals can worsen the condition.

Question 27Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

What is the correct way to store clean towels and linen in a salon?

  1. In a closed clean cupboard separate from soiled linen Correct answer.
  2. Hanging in the treatment room after use
  3. On the floor beside the washbasin
  4. In the same basket as used towels

Explanation

Clean linen must be stored in a closed clean area away from soiled items to prevent recontamination. Mixing clean and used linen or storing it on the floor defeats the purpose of laundering.

Question 28Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

During a manicure a therapist accidentally nicks the client's cuticle and blood appears. What is the correct immediate sequence of actions?

  1. Apply nail polish over the cut to hide it
  2. Stop, wear gloves, clean the wound, apply a dressing and disinfect the area Correct answer.
  3. Rinse the hand in the shared footbath
  4. Continue the manicure and wipe the blood with a dry tissue

Explanation

The service must stop, gloves must be worn, the wound cleaned and dressed, and any contaminated surfaces disinfected. This limits bloodborne exposure and prevents contamination of tools and the workspace.

Question 29Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A client discloses a contagious skin condition on the scalp before a hair service. What is the ethically and clinically correct action?

  1. Postpone the service and advise the client to seek medical advice Correct answer.
  2. Proceed because the service has already been booked
  3. Treat the area with a salon product and continue
  4. Ask another staff member to perform the service without informing them

Explanation

A contagious condition is a contraindication to service and may put other clients and staff at risk. The professional response is to postpone, explain kindly and advise the client to consult a medical practitioner.

Question 30Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Which statement correctly distinguishes disinfection from sterilisation in beauty practice?

  1. Disinfection and sterilisation are identical processes
  2. Disinfection destroys most pathogenic microorganisms, while sterilisation destroys all microorganisms including spores Correct answer.
  3. Sterilisation only removes visible dirt
  4. Disinfection always destroys bacterial spores

Explanation

Disinfection reduces most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces, whereas sterilisation destroys all microbial life including bacterial spores. This distinction determines which process is appropriate for a given tool.

Question 31Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A therapist is unsure whether a particular electrical facial device is safe for a client with a pacemaker. What is the most professional course of action?

  1. Use the device at the lowest setting without checking
  2. Use the device because it looks harmless
  3. Check the manufacturer's instructions and the client's medical advice before deciding Correct answer.
  4. Ask the client to decide alone

Explanation

Electrical devices can interfere with implanted medical equipment, so the therapist must consult the manufacturer's guidance and the client's medical advice before use. Deciding without information risks harm to the client.

Question 32Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Which action best demonstrates informed consent in a beauty service?

  1. Starting the service while the client is still reading
  2. Explaining the procedure, risks and alternatives and obtaining the client's agreement Correct answer.
  3. Performing extra treatments without discussion
  4. Assuming consent because the client booked online

Explanation

Informed consent means the client understands the procedure, its risks, benefits and alternatives and freely agrees before the service begins. Booking alone or silence does not constitute informed consent.

Question 33Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

What is the main reason for keeping a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for salon chemicals?

  1. To decorate the staff room wall
  2. To calculate staff salaries
  3. To provide information on hazards, safe handling and first aid Correct answer.
  4. To advertise the products to clients

Explanation

An SDS gives essential information on the hazards, safe handling, storage, protective measures and first aid for a chemical product. Staff must be able to consult it to work safely and respond to accidents.

Question 34Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

A client faints during a facial service. What is the most appropriate immediate response?

  1. Leave the client alone and finish other appointments
  2. Splash hot water on the client's face
  3. Stop the service, ensure a safe position, check breathing and call for help as needed Correct answer.
  4. Continue the massage to help the client relax

Explanation

The service must stop immediately and the client's safety and breathing must be checked, with help summoned according to the salon's emergency procedure. Continuing the service or leaving the client alone could worsen the situation.

Question 35Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Why should waxing be avoided over moles, broken skin or areas of active inflammation?

  1. These areas always indicate the client is underage
  2. Waxing over them improves healing
  3. These areas are more vulnerable to injury and infection, so waxing is contraindicated Correct answer.
  4. Wax does not adhere to such skin at all

Explanation

Broken or inflamed skin and moles are more susceptible to injury and infection, and waxing could cause damage or mask a change in a mole. Such areas are therefore contraindications for waxing.

Question 36Professional Ethics, Hygiene, and Safety

Which behaviour reflects professional ethics when a client asks for a treatment that the therapist believes is unsuitable?

  1. Explain the concern respectfully and discuss a suitable alternative Correct answer.
  2. Refuse rudely and end the conversation
  3. Perform a different treatment secretly without telling the client
  4. Perform the treatment without comment to avoid disagreement

Explanation

Professional ethics require honest communication, respect for the client and a duty of care. The therapist should explain the concern and discuss alternatives rather than silently complying or acting without consent.

Question 37Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

Which layer of the skin contains the hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands?

  1. Stratum corneum
  2. Dermis Correct answer.
  3. Subcutaneous layer
  4. Epidermis

Explanation

The dermis is the middle layer of connective tissue and it houses the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, eccrine and apocrine sweat glands, and blood vessels. The epidermis is avascular epithelial tissue without these glands, and the subcutaneous layer is mainly fat. So the glands and follicles belong to the dermis.

Question 38Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

The cells that produce the pigment responsible for skin colour are called:

  1. Melanocytes Correct answer.
  2. Fibroblasts
  3. Keratinocytes
  4. Langerhans cells

Explanation

Melanocytes sit in the basal layer of the epidermis and produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour and helps protect it from ultraviolet radiation. Keratinocytes form the protective keratin layer, fibroblasts make collagen in the dermis, and Langerhans cells are immune cells.

Question 39Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

Which structure is the actively growing part of a nail?

  1. Nail matrix Correct answer.
  2. Nail plate
  3. Hyponychium
  4. Nail bed

Explanation

The nail matrix is the tissue at the base of the nail beneath the proximal nail fold where new nail cells are formed and pushed forward to create the nail plate. The nail plate is the finished hard product, the nail bed is the skin it rests on, and the hyponychium is the seal under the free edge.

Question 40Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

The hair follicle is anchored in the skin by which structure?

  1. Sebaceous gland
  2. Arrector pili muscle
  3. Hair bulb
  4. Dermal papilla Correct answer.

Explanation

The dermal papilla is a small cone of connective tissue and blood vessels that projects into the base of the hair bulb and supplies the follicle with nutrients. It is this papilla that anchors the follicle and feeds the actively dividing matrix cells. The arrector pili, sebaceous gland and hair bulb are separate structures.

Question 41Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

In which layer of the epidermis do cells divide to replace the skin's surface?

  1. Stratum basale Correct answer.
  2. Stratum lucidum
  3. Stratum granulosum
  4. Stratum corneum

Explanation

The stratum basale is the deepest single layer of the epidermis, and its cells divide by mitosis to produce new keratinocytes that move outward. The granulosum, lucidum and corneum are progressively higher layers where cells are maturing or already dead, so cell division does not occur there.

Question 42Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

Which substance gives hair and nails their strength and hardness?

  1. Melanin
  2. Keratin Correct answer.
  3. Elastin
  4. Collagen

Explanation

Keratin is a tough fibrous protein that fills the cells of hair, nails and the outer epidermis, giving them their hard, protective quality. Collagen and elastin provide strength and elasticity in the dermis, while melanin only provides colour.

Question 43Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

What is the main function of sebum in the skin?

  1. To produce vitamin D from sunlight
  2. To detect pressure and touch
  3. To lubricate skin and hair and help retain moisture Correct answer.
  4. To cool the body by evaporation

Explanation

Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that coats the skin and hair shaft, keeping them supple and forming a barrier that limits water loss. Cooling is the job of sweat, sensation is the job of nerve endings, and vitamin D synthesis happens in the epidermis under ultraviolet light.

Question 44Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

A client has very dry, flaky skin with a dull appearance. Which skin function is most likely to be impaired?

  1. Barrier protection and moisture retention Correct answer.
  2. Vitamin D synthesis
  3. Thermoregulation
  4. Sensory perception

Explanation

Dry, flaky, dull skin usually points to a weakened barrier in the stratum corneum, where lipids and sebum normally hold water in. When the barrier is compromised, water evaporates more easily and the surface becomes rough. Sensory perception, temperature control and vitamin D production are not the functions reflected by dryness.

Question 45Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

During a facial, a client's skin flushes red and feels warm. Which skin function explains this response?

  1. Formation of keratin for strength
  2. Regulation of body temperature through blood flow Correct answer.
  3. Production of melanin for protection
  4. Secretion of sebum for lubrication

Explanation

Flushing occurs when blood vessels in the dermis dilate, increasing blood flow near the surface so that heat can be lost. This is how the skin helps regulate body temperature. Melanin, sebum and keratin relate to protection, lubrication and strength, not to the immediate red, warm response.

Question 46Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

A client's nails show deep horizontal grooves across the nail plate. Which part of the nail was most likely affected when the grooves formed?

  1. The cuticle
  2. The nail matrix Correct answer.
  3. The nail bed
  4. The free edge

Explanation

Horizontal grooves, known as Beau's lines, form when growth at the nail matrix is temporarily interrupted, for example by illness or injury. Because the matrix produces the plate, a disturbance there leaves a visible ridge that grows out with the nail. The free edge, nail bed and cuticle do not create the plate.

Question 47Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

Which statement correctly describes the difference between vellus and terminal hair?

  1. Vellus hair is short, fine and pale, while terminal hair is longer, coarser and pigmented Correct answer.
  2. Vellus hair grows only on the scalp, while terminal hair grows only on the palms
  3. Vellus hair contains no follicle, while terminal hair has a follicle
  4. Vellus hair is coarse and pigmented, while terminal hair is fine and unpigmented

Explanation

Vellus hair is the short, fine, lightly pigmented hair found over much of the body, whereas terminal hair is longer, thicker and more deeply pigmented, such as scalp, eyebrow and beard hair. Both types grow from follicles, and neither is limited to the scalp or palms.

Question 48Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

A beautician notices that a client's hair has become brittle and breaks easily after repeated chemical treatments. Which hair structure has been most affected?

  1. The medulla
  2. The dermal papilla
  3. The sebaceous gland
  4. The cuticle Correct answer.

Explanation

The cuticle is the tough outer overlapping layer of the hair shaft that protects the inner cortex. Chemical treatments can lift and damage the cuticle scales, allowing the cortex to lose moisture and the hair to break. The medulla is the inner core, and the dermal papilla and sebaceous gland sit in the follicle.

Question 49Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

Which layer of the hair shaft contains the pigment that determines hair colour?

  1. Cuticle
  2. Medulla
  3. Cortex Correct answer.
  4. Inner root sheath

Explanation

The cortex is the thick middle layer of the hair shaft and contains the melanin granules that give hair its colour and much of its strength. The cuticle is the clear outer layer and the medulla is the central core, while the inner root sheath surrounds the hair inside the follicle.

Question 50Anatomy and Physiology of Skin, Hair, and Nails

The lunula visible at the base of a fingernail is best described as:

  1. The groove along the side of the nail
  2. The skin beneath the free edge of the nail
  3. The fold of skin that seals the nail base
  4. The whitish, half-moon part of the nail matrix seen through the plate Correct answer.

Explanation

The lunula is the pale half-moon area at the proximal end of the nail, formed by the visible part of the matrix showing through the translucent nail plate. It is not the cuticle, the hyponychium or the lateral nail groove, which are separate structures.