NIC Master Barber Theory flashcards

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

Disinfection

Process that kills most pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces, but not necessarily bacterial spores; requires EPA-registered product and proper contact time.

Sterilization

Destruction of all microbial life, including spores, usually by autoclave or dry heat; required for implements that pierce or cut skin.

Universal precautions

Infection-control practice treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious; includes gloves, eye protection, and hand washing.

Tuberculocidal disinfectant

Hospital-grade disinfectant proven to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis; required in barbershops for blood or body-fluid spills.

Hair porosity

Ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture; low porosity resists moisture, high porosity absorbs quickly but loses it rapidly.

Hair elasticity

Ability of hair to stretch and return to original length; normal hair stretches about 50% when wet; poor elasticity indicates damage.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Scalp condition with redness, itching, and greasy scales; treated with medicated shampoos containing ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, or salicylic acid.

Effleurage

Light, gliding massage stroke used in scalp treatments to improve circulation and relax muscles; performed with fingertips or palms.

Elevation

Angle at which hair is held from the head during cutting; 0° creates blunt lines, 45° graduation, 90° layers, 180° long layers.

Taper

Gradual decrease in hair length from longer top to shorter sides and nape; achieved by blending clipper guards and clipper-over-comb.

Clipper guard sizes

Numbered attachments controlling cut length; #1 equals 1/8 inch (3 mm), #2 1/4 inch (6 mm), #3 3/8 inch (10 mm), #4 1/2 inch (13 mm).

Cross-checking

Cutting hair in the opposite direction of the original cut to verify evenness and detect missed sections.

Razor angle

Approximately 30 degrees between razor blade and skin during shaving; too steep causes irritation, too flat misses hair.

Beard neckline

Lower boundary of beard, typically one finger above the Adam's apple; shaped to follow jawline and blended into neck.

Hot towel

Warm, moist towel applied before shaving to soften beard hair, open pores, and relax facial muscles.

Patch test

Application of a small amount of chemical product to skin 24–48 hours before service to detect allergic reaction; required for aniline derivatives.

Developer volume

Concentration of hydrogen peroxide; 10 vol deposits, 20 vol lifts 1–2 levels, 30 vol lifts 2–3 levels, 40 vol lifts 3–4 levels.

Complementary colors

Colors opposite on the color wheel; used to neutralize unwanted tones, e.g., blue cancels orange, violet cancels yellow.

Toner

Semi-permanent color applied after lightening to neutralize brass and deposit desired tone; mixed with low-volume developer.

Relaxer neutralization

Process of lowering hair pH after relaxer using neutralizing shampoo; stops chemical action and restores hair to acidic state.

Thioglycolate

Active chemical in acid perms that breaks disulfide bonds; requires neutralizer to reform bonds in new shape.

Hair analysis

Pre-service evaluation of porosity, elasticity, density, and texture to determine suitability for chemical services.

Anagen phase

Active growth phase of hair cycle lasting 2–6 years; about 90% of scalp hair is in this phase at any time.

Hair cuticle

Outermost layer of hair consisting of overlapping scales that protect cortex; damaged cuticle causes dryness and breakage.

Sebaceous gland

Oil-producing gland attached to hair follicle; secretes sebum that lubricates skin and hair.

Nail matrix

Area under nail root where new nail cells are produced; damage to matrix causes nail deformity.

pH scale

Measure of acidity or alkalinity from 0 to 14; 7 is neutral, below 7 acidic, above 7 alkaline; hair is slightly acidic.

Surfactant

Cleansing agent in shampoo that attracts oil and water; types include anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and nonionic.

Safety Data Sheet

Document listing chemical hazards, handling, and emergency procedures; must be available in shop for each product.

Continuing education

Required hours of approved training for license renewal; amount varies by state, commonly 8–16 hours per renewal cycle.

Scope of practice

Services a licensed barber is legally permitted to perform under state law, such as haircutting, shaving, and limited chemical services.

Break-even point

Number of services needed to cover fixed and variable costs; calculated as fixed costs divided by price minus variable cost per service.