MD Esthetician flashcards

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

Maryland Board of Cosmetologists

State agency that licenses estheticians and salons in Maryland, sets sanitation and scope rules, and may inspect, fine, suspend, or revoke licenses.

Esthetician scope of practice

In Maryland, estheticians perform skin care, facials, makeup, and temporary hair removal; medical procedures such as lasers and deep peels are outside their scope.

Salon permit

A license issued by the Board to a salon, required before opening and after any change of ownership, and verified through a Board inspection.

Unlicensed practice penalty

Performing esthetic services without a valid license, or in an unpermitted salon, is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and by denial or loss of licensure.

Disinfection

Use of an EPA-registered hospital-grade product to destroy most pathogenic organisms on nonporous implements, following the label's stated contact time.

Sanitation

A lower-level process that reduces the number of microorganisms on surfaces and tools but does not destroy spores or all pathogens.

Sterilization

A process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, most commonly by autoclave on heat-tolerant metal implements.

Porous versus nonporous

Nonporous items such as metal, glass, and plastic can be disinfected; porous items such as wood, foam, and cotton absorb liquids and must be discarded or single-use.

Stratum basale

The deepest epidermal layer, where keratinocytes divide and melanocytes and Merkel cells reside; new cells move upward over about 28 days.

Acid mantle

A thin film of sebum and sweat on the skin surface with a pH near 4.5-5.5 that limits bacterial growth and supports barrier lipids.

Fibroblasts

Dermal cells that synthesize collagen and elastin, providing strength and elasticity; their activity declines with age and sun exposure.

Sebaceous gland

A gland attached to the hair follicle that secretes sebum to lubricate skin and hair, with activity driven primarily by androgens.

Fitzpatrick scale

A six-level classification of how skin responds to ultraviolet light; types I-II burn easily and tan little, while types V-VI rarely burn.

Macule

A flat, discolored spot under one centimeter with no elevation, such as a freckle or lentigo; classified as a primary lesion.

Herpes simplex

A contagious viral infection producing clusters of vesicles, often around the lips; esthetic services are contraindicated and the client is referred out.

Isotretinoin

An oral acne medication that thins and dries the skin; waxing, peels, and abrasion are avoided during use and for six months after.

Humectant

An ingredient such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds water in the upper layers of the skin.

Salicylic acid

An oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates within the pore and is useful for comedonal, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Emulsion

A blend of oil and water held together by an emulsifier; oil-in-water formulas are light, while water-in-oil formulas are richer and more occlusive.

Physical sunscreen

Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sits on the skin and blocks ultraviolet rays; broad-spectrum and generally less irritating than chemical filters.

Effleurage

A light gliding massage stroke applied with palms and fingers to warm tissue and move fluid toward the lymph nodes.

Comedone extraction

Manual removal of a blackhead or whitehead after steam softening, using gentle pressure or a disinfected extractor and gloved hands.

Clay mask

A mask containing kaolin or bentonite that absorbs excess sebum and temporarily draws out congestion; best suited to oily or combination skin.

Chemical exfoliation

Use of enzymes or acids such as glycolic or salicylic to dissolve bonds between dead corneocytes, smoothing the skin surface.

Anagen phase

The active growth phase of the hair cycle, lasting months to years; hair is removed most effectively by waxing during this phase.

Hard wax

A resin-based wax applied warm without strips; it shrink-wraps the hair, is removed against growth, and suits sensitive areas.

Depilatory cream

A chemical hair remover using thioglycolate at a high pH to break down hair keratin; patch test and avoid broken or irritated skin.

Dermaplaning

Manual exfoliation with a sterile blade that removes vellus hair and dead surface cells; contraindicated on inflamed, broken, or acne-active skin.

Complementary colors

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel; in makeup, green neutralizes redness and peach neutralizes blue-toned shadows.

Jawline foundation match

Testing three shades along the jaw in natural light to find the foundation that blends with both the face and the neck.

Informed consent

A signed client acknowledgment of the planned service, its risks, alternatives, and aftercare, documented before the treatment begins.

Markup

The amount added to a product's wholesale cost to set its retail price, often expressed as a multiple such as two times cost.