ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Treatments study guide
ITEC Beauty Therapy · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Treatments is a vocational qualification for people who want to work as a beauty therapist in a salon, spa or self-employed setting. It is aimed at learners who already hold a Level 2 qualification or have relevant salon experience, and it assesses both practical skill and the underpinning knowledge a therapist needs to treat clients safely and professionally. The ITEC Beauty Therapy study guide has 12 sections and about 3,603 words.
01Health, safety and hygiene in the salon
This domain tests the legal and practical controls that keep clients and staff safe: infection control, cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, waste segregation, PPE and COSHH. Expect questions that ask you to choose the correct process for a contaminated tool or the correct waste stream for a used blade.
354 words, about 2 min02Client consultation, contraindications and treatment planning
This domain tests whether you can take a safe, structured history, identify absolute and relative contraindications, obtain valid consent and turn the findings into a written treatment plan with realistic outcomes. Record medical history, medicines, allergies, pregnancies, surgeries, recent aesthetic treatments, occupation and lifestyle.
301 words, about 2 min03Anatomy and physiology relevant to beauty therapy
This domain tests the structure and function of skin, hair, nails, muscles, circulation, lymphatics, endocrine and nervous systems, and how that knowledge explains treatment effects and contraindications. Epidermis: avascular, keratinised and renewing about every 28 days; layers include corneum, granulosum, spinosum and basale.
331 words, about 2 min04Professional conduct, ethics, data protection and client care
This domain tests the standards expected of a beauty professional: consent, confidentiality, GDPR, insurance, scope of practice, boundaries, equality and complaint handling. Work only within your training and insurance.
312 words, about 2 min05Skin analysis, facial treatments and skincare products
This domain tests skin typing and condition analysis, product selection and the safe sequence of a facial, including cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masks and sun protection. Skin types are normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive.
286 words, about 1 min06Body massage and body treatments, including electrical and mechanical equipment
This domain tests safe massage technique, contraindication screening, and the principles and hazards of electrical body equipment. Massage movements are effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction and vibration.
288 words, about 1 min07Hair removal techniques: waxing, threading and depilatories
This domain tests safe hair removal by wax, thread and chemical depilatory, including the hair growth cycle, skin tension, temperature control and aftercare. Hair grows in cycles; waxing removes anagen hair best.
319 words, about 2 min08Manicure, pedicure and nail enhancement services
This domain tests nail anatomy, safe filing and cuticle work, pedicure care, and the preparation, application and removal of enhancements. Nail plate, matrix, lunula, cuticle and eponychium must be respected.
272 words, about 1 min09Lash and brow treatments
This domain tests tinting, perming, shaping and lash extensions, with emphasis on patch testing, eye safety and hygiene. Patch test tint and lash adhesive 24 to 48 hours before, behind the ear or in the crook of the elbow, and record the result.
308 words, about 2 min10Make-up application and cosmetic camouflage
This domain tests colour theory, skin preparation, product texture, face shapes and the safe, respectful use of camouflage for scarring, pigmentation and vascular conditions. Identify undertone as warm, cool or neutral and match foundation in natural light along the jawline, not the hand.
271 words, about 1 min11Product knowledge, chemistry and ingredient awareness
This domain tests basic cosmetic chemistry: pH, surfactants, emulsifiers, humectants, emollients, preservatives, actives and labelling, and how these affect product choice and safety. pH measures acidity and alkalinity from 0 to 14.
286 words, about 1 min12Business practice, retail, promotion and professional development
This domain tests the commercial and professional skills that sustain a salon: costing, pricing, retail, ethical marketing, CPD and insurance. Know your costs: product cost per treatment, room overheads, insurance, tax and time.
275 words, about 1 min