WBBSE Madhyamik Vocational Beauty & Wellness flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Epidermis

The outermost, avascular layer of the skin. It protects against water loss, injury and microorganisms and contains melanocytes that produce pigment.

Acid mantle

The slightly acidic film on the skin surface, around pH 4.5–5.5, formed by sebum and sweat. It limits bacterial growth and protects the skin barrier.

Informed consent

A client's voluntary agreement to a service after being told its nature, benefits, risks, alternatives and cost. It is recorded on the client card before work begins.

Contraindication

A condition or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or inadvisable, such as infection, open wounds, allergy or recent surgery. Service is deferred or referred.

Disinfection

A process that destroys most pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces and tools, but not necessarily bacterial spores. Tools are immersed for the label contact time.

Sterilisation

A process that destroys all microbial life, including spores, on tools and equipment. It is used for items that may contact blood or broken skin.

Single-use item

A product used once on one client and then discarded, such as nail files, cotton pads, spatulas, gloves and wax strips. It prevents cross-contamination.

Universal precautions

Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. Gloves and other barriers are used for every client where contact with fluid is possible.

Patch test

A small amount of colour, bleach or adhesive applied to the skin 24–48 hours before service to detect allergy. A positive reaction cancels the treatment.

Oily skin

A skin type with excess sebum, visible shine, enlarged pores and a tendency to comedones. Care uses gentle cleansing, light moisturiser and non-comedogenic products.

Comedone

A blocked hair follicle filled with sebum and dead cells. An open comedone is a blackhead; a closed one is a whitehead. Only non-inflamed comedones may be extracted.

Facial steam

Warm water vapour held 10–15 cm from the face for 5–10 minutes to soften sebum before extraction. It is avoided in rosacea, asthma and very sensitive skin.

Lymphatic massage

Light, rhythmic strokes following lymph flow toward the lymph nodes. It reduces puffiness and is avoided over infection, inflammation and recent surgery.

Broad-spectrum SPF

Sun protection that guards against both UVA and UVB rays, rated SPF 30 or higher. It is the final daytime skincare step and is reapplied every 2–3 hours outdoors.

Cuticle

The layer of clear dead skin at the base of the nail plate. Live tissue is pushed back gently and never cut; only loose, dead hangnails are trimmed.

Lunula

The pale half-moon shape at the base of the nail, formed by the visible part of the matrix where new nail cells are produced. It is not a sign of disease.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail causing thickening, discolouration and crumbling. It is contagious and a contraindication for nail service, so the client is referred to a doctor.

Paronychia

Inflammation or infection of the skin around the nail, with redness, swelling and pain. It is a contraindication for manicure and requires medical referral.

Nail filing rule

File from corner to centre in one direction using a fine-grit file. Back-and-forth sawing damages the nail plate and causes splitting and peeling.

Cuticle oil

A moisturising oil applied around the nail after manicure or pedicure to restore moisture and flexibility. It is used after dehydrating products such as acetone.

Hair cuticle

The outer layer of overlapping scales on the hair shaft. It protects the cortex and lies flat when hair is acidic and healthy, but lifts with alkaline products and friction.

Hair porosity

A measure of how readily hair absorbs and retains moisture. Low porosity resists water, high porosity absorbs quickly but loses moisture and breaks easily.

Strand test

A test on a small section of hair before colour, bleach, relaxer or perm to check processing time, result and damage risk. The outcome is recorded on the client card.

Blow-dry distance

The dryer is held about 15–20 cm from the hair and kept moving on medium heat. Direct heat on wet hair damages the cuticle and causes breakage.

Complementary colours

Colours opposite each other on the colour wheel. In makeup they neutralise each other: green cancels redness, peach cancels blue-purple tones and yellow cancels purple.

Undertone

The underlying warm (golden), cool (pink or blue) or neutral hue of the skin. Foundation and concealer are matched by undertone as well as by depth.

Foundation matching

Testing three shades close to the skin tone along the jawline in natural daylight, not on the hand, to find a seamless match with the face and neck.

Contouring

Using darker product to recede an area and lighter product to bring it forward, shaping the face. Placement depends on the face shape being corrected.

Consultation

A structured discussion before service covering allergies, medications, previous treatments, skin or hair condition and expectations. Answers are recorded and signed.

Complaint handling

Listening without interruption, apologising for the experience, investigating the cause, offering a remedy within policy and recording the outcome for follow-up.

Client record card

A confidential document holding contact details, service history, products used, patch-test results, allergies and consent. Access is limited to authorised staff.

Practical assessment rubric

Marking criteria covering workstation preparation, consultation, hygiene and safety, technique accuracy, client comfort, finishing quality, aftercare advice and cleanup.