MD Cosmetology flashcards
MD Cosmetology · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Cuticle layer function
- The outermost layer of the hair shaft, made of overlapping scale-like cells that protect the cortex. It swells and lifts in alkaline solutions and lies flat in acidic conditions, affecting shine and color retention.
- Cortex
- The middle and thickest hair layer, containing melanin pigment and disulfide bonds. Chemical texture services and oxidative color change the cortex, so all bond-breaking chemistry targets this layer.
- Disulfide bond
- A strong chemical bond between cysteine amino acids in the cortex. Perms and relaxers break these bonds and neutralizer re-forms them in a new shape, which is why timing and rinsing are critical.
- Developer volume
- A measure of hydrogen peroxide strength. Ten volume equals 3 percent, 20 volume 6 percent, 30 volume 9 percent, and 40 volume 12 percent; higher volume lifts more pigment and deposits less color.
- Patch test
- A small application of oxidative color product to skin, observed 24 to 48 hours before service, to detect allergic reaction. Results are documented in the client record before proceeding.
- On-base placement
- Placing a perm rod so the hair is wrapped at the scalp base, creating maximum volume, tightest curl, and strongest base support. Off-base placement produces less volume and a looser curl pattern.
- Acid mantle
- The slightly acidic film on skin surface, averaging pH 4.5 to 5.5, made of sebum and sweat. It inhibits bacteria and keeps the barrier intact; alkaline cleansers disrupt it.
- Fitzpatrick scale
- A six-type classification of skin response to ultraviolet light, from type I (always burns, never tans) to type VI (rarely burns, deeply tans). It guides sun protection and treatment intensity.
- Stratum corneum
- The outermost epidermis layer of flattened, keratinized dead cells that form the skin barrier. It limits water loss and blocks most topically applied ingredients unless penetration enhancers are used.
- Comedone extraction
- Manual removal of a non-inflamed blackhead or whitehead using gentle pressure after softening the skin. It is contraindicated over inflamed acne, active cold sores, or telangiectasia.
- Alpha hydroxy acid
- Water-soluble acids such as glycolic and lactic that loosen dead cells in the epidermis. They increase sun sensitivity, so clients need daily sunscreen and a patch test before first use.
- Beta hydroxy acid
- Salicylic acid, a lipid-soluble exfoliant that penetrates sebaceous pores. It is useful for oily and acne-prone skin and is generally gentler than glycolic acid at comparable strength.
- Wax temperature
- Hard wax is applied near 55 to 60 C and soft wax near 65 to 70 C. Always test on the inner wrist; overheated wax can burn and cause hyperpigmentation or blistering.
- Nail matrix
- The living tissue beneath the proximal nail fold where new nail cells form. Damage to the matrix causes permanent ridges or distortion, and its visible portion is the lunula.
- Nail plate composition
- The hard, translucent nail body made mainly of keratin. It is non-living, does not absorb moisture from air, but swells when soaked and can become brittle with repeated wet-dry cycles.
- Eponychium
- The living skin fold at the base of the nail plate. It should never be cut; only the non-living cuticle is pushed back, and cutting living tissue invites infection.
- Onychomycosis
- A fungal nail infection causing thickening, yellowing, and separation of the plate. It is a disease, not a cosmetic condition, so the technician refers the client to a physician instead of treating.
- Green nail syndrome
- A Pseudomonas bacterial infection producing green-black discoloration, often under lifted acrylic or gel. It is contagious and requires physician referral; contaminated product must be discarded.
- Monomer-polymer ratio
- The proportion of liquid acrylic to powder. Too wet a mix causes shrinkage and weak nails; too dry a mix causes lifting and cloudy finish. Correct ratio gives smooth, strong adhesion.
- Porous implement rule
- Emery boards, buffers, and other porous items cannot be disinfected and must be discarded after use or given to the client. Only non-porous metal or glass tools are disinfected and reused.
- Cleaning vs disinfection
- Cleaning removes visible debris and some microbes with soap and water. Disinfection uses an EPA-registered product to kill most pathogens on surfaces, while sterilization destroys all organisms including spores.
- Hospital-grade disinfectant
- An EPA-registered product labeled with a tuberculocidal claim, used on implements that contact blood or body fluids. It must be mixed at the labeled concentration and used for the labeled contact time.
- Blood spill protocol
- Stop the service, put on gloves, clean the area, apply disinfectant, seal contaminated waste in a bag, then wash hands. All blood is treated as infectious under standard precautions.
- Standard precautions
- Infection control practice treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of client disclosure. Gloves, hand washing, and barrier protection are used for every client.
- Hand washing duration
- Washing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective infection control step. It is required before and after each client and after glove removal.
- Safety Data Sheet
- A document listing a product's hazards, first aid, storage, and ventilation requirements. A current SDS must be on file for every chemical used in the salon.
- GFCI outlet
- A ground fault circuit interrupter that shuts off power when current leaks to ground. It is required near water sources and protects against electric shock in wet salon environments.
- Maryland State Board
- The Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists licenses and regulates cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and salons, and enforces sanitation standards through inspections and disciplinary action.
- Scope of practice
- The services a licensee is legally permitted to perform under their specific license type. Performing services outside that scope, such as an esthetician doing hair, violates Maryland law.
- License posting
- Salon and individual licenses must be current and available for inspection at the workstation. The salon license is posted conspicuously where clients and inspectors can see it.
- Renewal cycle
- Maryland licenses renew on a set cycle, and renewal requires continuing education hours as determined by the Board. Lapsed practice without renewal is unlicensed practice subject to penalty.
- Unlicensed practice
- Performing cosmetology services without a valid license, or allowing an unlicensed person to perform them. It is a violation subject to fines, cease-and-desist orders, and license discipline.