ME Esthetician key terms

Infection control approach treating all blood and body fluids as infectious. Requires gloves for contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin, hand hygiene, and appropriate barriers regardless of perceived risk.

Use of chemical agents on inanimate surfaces to destroy most pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores. In Maine salons, implements must be cleaned then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade product.

Lower-level cleaning that removes visible debris and reduces microorganism counts on surfaces and tools. It precedes disinfection but does not destroy pathogens by itself.

Process that destroys all microbial life, including spores, usually by autoclave or chemical sterilant. Estheticians rarely perform it; implements needing it are typically single-use or sent out.

Viruses and bacteria transmitted through blood or body fluids, notably hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Estheticians must follow exposure control plans and report exposures per employer policy.

Specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or potentially infectious material. Requires immediate washing and reporting under the workplace exposure control plan.

Product carrying an Environmental Protection Agency registration number and label claims for hospital-grade disinfection. The label must list the pathogens it kills and the required contact time.

Minimum period an implement or surface must stay wet with disinfectant for the product to work as labeled. Shortening it invalidates disinfection even if the tool looks clean.

Tool or supply intended for one client only and then discarded, such as wax applicators, cotton swabs, and lancets. It must never be disinfected and reused.

Outermost avascular skin layer, composed of keratinocytes in strata that renew about every 28 days. It provides the barrier, melanin, and most of the surface texture an esthetician treats.

Vascular middle layer containing collagen, elastin, fibroblasts, nerves, glands, and hair follicles. Its condition determines firmness, elasticity, scarring, and how deeply products or treatments can act.

Outermost epidermal layer of flattened, keratin-filled cells surrounded by lipids. It limits water loss and penetration, so exfoliation and hydration strategies target its condition.

Predominant epidermal cell that produces keratin and migrates outward as it matures. Its turnover and differentiation affect scaling, pigmentation, and product absorption.

Dermal cell that synthesizes collagen, elastin, and ground substance. Its activity declines with age and sun damage, contributing to laxity and thinning.

Gland attached to hair follicles that secretes sebum, a lipid mixture that lubricates skin and hair. Its activity underlies oily skin, acne, and comedone formation.

Passage of water from inside the body through the epidermis to the air. Elevated values indicate barrier impairment and guide recommendations for occlusive or barrier-repair products.

Skin's ability to keep water in and irritants, allergens, and microbes out, chiefly through the stratum corneum and its lipids. Compromise shows as redness, stinging, flaking, or sensitivity.

Six-category scale based on skin color and burning versus tanning response to sun. It guides sun protection advice and predicts risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after waxing or peels.

Systematic in-person assessment of skin type, condition, sensitivity, and lesions using observation, palpation, and client history. Findings determine treatment choices and contraindications.

Central facial area comprising forehead, nose, and chin, where sebaceous glands are denser. Its oiliness relative to cheeks helps classify skin as combination.

Hair follicle plugged by sebum and dead keratinocytes; open if the surface is exposed and dark, closed if covered by skin. Extraction and exfoliation target comedones, not inflamed lesions.

Condition or circumstance making a treatment inadvisable because it could harm the client or worsen a disorder. Examples include active infection, recent isotretinoin use, and open lesions.

Small controlled application of a product on a discreet area to detect allergic or irritant reaction before full treatment. Required or prudent for tints, waxes, and new chemical products.

Client's voluntary agreement after understanding the procedure, its risks, benefits, alternatives, and aftercare. Documented consent protects both client and esthetician.

Structured interview and record-keeping before service covering goals, health history, medications, allergies, prior treatments, and home care. It establishes the basis for safe, individualized service.

Manual removal of comedones or milia using fingers wrapped in tissue or a comedo extractor after softening the skin. It is limited to non-inflamed lesions and requires disinfected tools.

Removal of dead surface cells by mechanical scrubs, brushes, or chemical agents such as alpha hydroxy acids. Overuse impairs barrier function and causes irritation or hyperpigmentation.

Water-soluble acid such as glycolic or lactic acid that loosens keratinocyte cohesion to smooth and brighten skin. Concentration, pH, and neutralization determine its strength and risk.

Gliding massage stroke following muscle direction with light-to-firm pressure. It warms tissue, aids product spread, and begins and ends most facial massage sequences.

Massage manipulation involving kneading, rolling, or squeezing soft tissue to release tension and improve circulation. On the face it is applied gently to cheeks, jaw, and forehead.

Rhythmic percussion using fingertips, hands, or cupped palms in rapid alternating motions. On the face it is light and brief, used to stimulate and tone near the end of massage.

Active growth stage of the hair cycle, when the follicle is deepest and most nourished. Waxing is most effective during anagen because the hair is firmly attached and regrows more slowly.

Resting stage of the hair cycle when growth stops and the hair is shed. Waxing during telogen may remove hairs that would have fallen out anyway, affecting regrowth expectations.

Epilation method applying warm or hard wax to hair and removing it against growth direction with a strip or by hand. It requires clean skin, patch testing, and avoidance of irritated or medicated areas.

Darkening of skin after inflammation or injury, more common in darker Fitzpatrick types. Waxing, extractions, and peels can trigger it if skin is traumatized or unprotected from sun.

Principles of color mixing and relationships, including primary, secondary, and complementary colors. Makeup artists use it to neutralize redness, correct discoloration, and select flattering shades.

Circular arrangement of hues showing primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and their opposites. Opposite hues neutralize each other, guiding corrective makeup choices.

Subtle underlying hue of skin, such as cool, warm, or neutral, independent of surface color. It determines foundation and concealer matching more reliably than overtone.

Scale from 0 to 14 measuring hydrogen ion concentration, with 7 neutral. Skin's acid mantle near pH 5.5 informs product choice; high-pH soaps and peels can disrupt the barrier.

Thin, slightly acidic film of sebum and sweat on skin surface that inhibits microbes and supports barrier enzymes. Alkaline cleansers can raise its pH temporarily and increase irritation.

Delayed immune reaction to an allergen such as fragrance, nickel, or preservative, causing redness, itching, and swelling. It requires avoiding the allergen and may need medical referral.

State board within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation that licenses estheticians and regulates salon practice. It adopts rules on sanitation, scope of practice, and continuing education.

Legally permitted services and limits for a licensed esthetician, defined by state statute and board rules. Practicing outside it, such as certain medical treatments, can lead to discipline.

Legal authorization to practice after meeting state requirements such as approved training hours, examination, and fees. Licenses must be renewed and displayed as required by Maine rules.