WBCHSE HS Vocational Beauty & Wellness key terms

The agreed standards of honest, fair and respectful conduct a beauty professional follows with clients, colleagues and employers, covering confidentiality, consent, hygiene duties and avoiding misleading claims about products or results.

The range of services and treatments a worker is trained, qualified and legally permitted to perform. Working outside it, such as diagnosing skin disease or doing a medical procedure, is unsafe and may be illegal.

Permission a client gives after being told clearly what a treatment involves, its expected benefits, possible risks and alternatives. Consent must be voluntary, recorded, and can be withdrawn at any time.

The duty to keep a client's personal details, health information and treatment records private, sharing them only with the client's permission or where the law requires disclosure, such as a serious health risk.

Daily habits that keep a beauty worker clean and free from odour, including bathing, clean uniform, tied-back hair, short clean nails, fresh breath and covered cuts, so that clients are protected and the professional image is maintained.

A structured wash using soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, covering palms, backs, between fingers, thumbs, fingertips and wrists, then drying with a disposable towel. It is done before and after every client contact.

Reducing the number of germs on tools and surfaces to a safe level, usually by cleaning with detergent and water followed by a chemical sanitizer. It is a lower level of protection than sterilization.

Using a chemical agent to destroy most harmful microorganisms on hard, non-porous tools such as combs and clipper blades. Tools must be cleaned first, then soaked or wiped for the contact time stated on the product label.

A process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on reusable metal implements. It is done with an autoclave or approved heat or chemical method and is required for items that may contact broken skin or blood.

The transfer of germs from one person, tool or surface to another, for example by reusing an uncleaned nail file or resting a comb on a dirty trolley. It is prevented by single-use items and correct cleaning routines.

A product designed to be used on one client only and then thrown away, such as a nail file, wooden spatula, wax strip or disposable razor. It must never be reused or shared between clients.

Gear worn to reduce contact with blood, chemicals and fumes, typically disposable gloves, an apron or uniform, and eye protection. It protects both the worker and the client and must be changed between clients.

The thin outer layer of skin, itself made of several sub-layers, whose outermost cells are dead and keratinized. It forms the body's main barrier against water loss, germs and injury and contains no blood vessels.

The thicker layer beneath the epidermis, containing collagen and elastin fibres, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands. It gives skin strength, elasticity, sensation and nourishment.

The outermost sub-layer of the epidermis, made of flattened dead cells rich in keratin and surrounded by lipids. It limits water loss and is the layer most affected by exfoliation and moisturizers.

A tough fibrous protein that forms the main structural material of skin, hair and nails. Its condition affects strength, smoothness and shine, and treatments such as keratin smoothing aim to reshape or reinforce it.

A small gland in the dermis, usually attached to a hair follicle, that produces sebum. Sebum lubricates skin and hair, and overactivity contributes to oily skin and acne.

A pocket-shaped structure in the dermis from which a hair grows. It contains the hair root and bulb and is linked to a sebaceous gland, so its health influences hair growth, oiliness and scalp condition.

The part of a hair above the skin surface, built of three layers: cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle is the protective outer scales, and the cortex holds pigment and gives strength and elasticity.

The repeating pattern of hair growth, rest and shedding, described in phases called anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (rest). Understanding it explains why some hair loss is temporary and why perming or relaxing is not done on freshly shampooed scalps.

The hard, visible part of a nail made of compacted keratin cells resting on the nail bed. It protects the fingertip and its appearance can signal health problems such as iron deficiency.

The living tissue at the base of the nail beneath the cuticle that produces new nail cells. Damage to it causes ridges, thinning or permanent deformity, so it must never be cut or over-filed.

The thin band of dead skin at the base of the nail plate that seals the gap between nail and skin. It should be softened and gently pushed back, not cut away, because removing it opens a route for infection.

A classification of skin as normal, dry, oily, combination or sensitive, based on oiliness, pore size, texture and reactivity. It guides product choice and treatment planning in facials and makeup.

A structured examination of the client's skin under good light, using questions and gentle observation, to judge skin type, hydration, texture, pigmentation and any lesions. Findings are recorded and used to select products and flag contraindications.

Any condition or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or unwise, either completely (absolute) or with caution (relative). Examples include broken skin, active infection, recent chemical peel, pregnancy for certain products, or allergy.

A small trial application of a product, usually on the inner forearm or behind the ear, checked after 24 to 48 hours for redness, itching or swelling. It is done before tinting, colouring or using a new product on a client.

An immune response to a substance that can cause redness, swelling, itching, rash or, in severe cases, breathing difficulty. Work must stop, the product must be removed and urgent medical help sought if symptoms are serious.

The basic daily skin routine: cleansing removes oil, sweat and dirt; toning refreshes and adjusts the skin after cleansing; moisturizing restores water and supports the skin barrier. Order and product choice depend on skin type.

Removing dead cells from the skin surface by mechanical scrubbing or chemical agents such as fruit acids. It improves texture and brightness but must be gentle, and is avoided on broken, inflamed or recently treated skin.

How readily a hair shaft absorbs and holds moisture, described as low, medium or high. High-porosity hair takes in water quickly but loses it fast, so it needs gentler products and richer conditioning.

A product and procedure that improve hair's softness, shine and manageability by smoothing the cuticle and adding moisture or protein. Deep conditioners are left on longer and are matched to porosity and damage level.

Two basic cutting approaches: a blunt cut keeps all hair at one length for a solid, heavy line, while layering cuts sections at different lengths to build movement, shape and reduced weight.

How tightly and at what angle hair is held while cutting. Elevation above 0 degrees creates layers, and even tension ensures both sides match, so poor control causes uneven or stepped results.

Dividing hair into clean, clipped sections before cutting, colouring or styling so that each area is worked systematically. It keeps lengths even, avoids missed hair and makes the service faster and safer.

The way an abrasive file is moved along the free edge. Filing from corner toward centre on each side, in one direction, prevents splitting and keeps the nail shape balanced; sawing back and forth weakens the edge.

A structured hand and nail service: consultation, sanitized setup, shaping, cuticle care, optional soak and massage, then polish. Each step follows hygiene rules and checks for infection before work begins.

Extra precautions in foot care, including screening for diabetes, poor circulation or fungal infection, avoiding aggressive cutting of hard skin, and never sharing foot files or blades. These clients may need medical advice first.

Using the colour wheel to choose shades: complementary colours cancel unwanted tones, such as green correcting redness, while analogous colours blend harmoniously. It guides concealer, blush and eyeshadow selection.

Selecting a base whose undertone and depth match the client's skin at the jawline and neck, tested in natural light. A poor match shows as a visible line or an ashy or orange cast.

A written or digital form noting the client's details, service history, allergies, medications, skin and hair condition, patch test results and consent. It supports safe repeat services and is kept confidential.

Fully concentrating on a client, noting both words and body language, and confirming understanding by summarizing. It builds trust, uncovers hidden contraindications and reduces complaints and misunderstandings.

Booking clients so that each service has enough time, staff and equipment, with buffers for overruns and cleaning. Good scheduling reduces waiting, avoids rushed treatments and increases daily income.

Tracking stock of products and consumables, recording use, setting reorder levels and checking expiry dates. It prevents running out mid-service, reduces waste and stops expired chemicals being used on clients.

Working out the true cost of a service, including products, labour, rent, utilities and overheads, then adding a profit margin to set the price. Underpricing hides losses and threatens the business.

The level of sales at which total income equals total costs, so the business makes neither profit nor loss. Knowing it helps an owner set realistic targets for services sold per week or month.

A written document setting out a venture's services, target clients, market, costs, pricing, marketing and financial forecasts. It guides decisions and is usually required when applying for a loan or scheme.

The general abilities employers expect alongside technical skill, such as punctuality, teamwork, clear communication, honesty, willingness to learn and the ability to stay calm under pressure with clients.

An organized collection of a candidate's practical work, photographs, treatment records and reflections, used in internal assessment and interviews. It should show range, consistency and evidence of safe working.

Getting ready for an oral examination by revising key terms, practising explanations of procedures and being able to justify hygiene and safety choices with reasons rather than memorized steps.