MI Cosmetology flashcards
MI 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.
- Pathogenic bacteria
- Bacteria that cause disease; in cosmetology, they include cocci, bacilli, and spirilla, and require proper disinfection or sterilization to prevent client infections.
- Sterilization
- A process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on an object; used for items that must be completely free of viable microbes.
- Disinfection
- The use of an EPA-registered product to destroy most pathogenic microorganisms on hard, nonporous surfaces, but not necessarily bacterial spores.
- pH scale
- A 0-to-14 scale measuring hydrogen ion concentration; values below 7 are acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 are alkaline, affecting hair and skin.
- Galvanic current
- A direct electrical current used in some facial and body treatments; it flows in one direction and can produce chemical changes at electrodes.
- Acid mantle
- A slightly acidic film on skin and hair, around pH 4.5 to 5.5, that helps limit microbial growth and maintain barrier function.
- Blunt haircut
- A cut performed with zero elevation at a single guideline, creating a solid weight line and a one-length perimeter.
- Graduated haircut
- A haircut built with elevation and a stacked guideline, creating weight at the perimeter and shorter layers above it.
- Patch test
- A small skin test of an aniline-derivative hair color applied 24 to 48 hours before the service to check for allergic reaction.
- Developer volume
- A measure of hydrogen peroxide concentration; 20 volume is about 6%, 30 volume about 9%, and 40 volume about 12%, affecting lift.
- Chemical relaxer
- A high-pH product that breaks disulfide bonds in hair to straighten curl; a neutralizer then re-forms bonds and restores pH.
- Strand test
- A test on a small section of hair to predict how color, lightener, or relaxer will process before applying it to the whole head.
- Fitzpatrick scale
- A six-level classification of skin response to ultraviolet exposure, used to estimate sunburn risk and guide treatment and product selection.
- Effleurage
- A light, gliding massage stroke used at the start and end of a facial; it warms tissue and promotes relaxation without deep pressure.
- Petrissage
- A kneading or compression massage movement that manipulates soft tissue more deeply than effleurage; used after warming the skin.
- Contraindication
- A condition or medication that makes a service unsafe, such as open skin, infection, or isotretinoin use; the service should be postponed or referred.
- ABCDE skin check
- A warning signs checklist for melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over 6 mm, and Evolving lesions.
- Nail matrix
- The living area at the base of the nail that produces new nail plate cells; injury can cause ridges, thinning, or permanent nail changes.
- Lunula
- The visible, whitish half-moon at the proximal end of the nail plate; it is the visible portion of the nail matrix.
- Onychomycosis
- A fungal infection of the nail that can cause thickening, discoloration, and separation; cosmetologists should not treat it and should refer.
- Paronychia
- An infection or inflammation of the tissue around the nail, often with redness, swelling, or pus; services should be postponed and referral made.
- Monomer and polymer
- Liquid monomer and powder polymer form acrylic nail enhancements when mixed; the correct ratio controls strength, set time, and appearance.
- LARA
- The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the state agency that issues cosmetology licenses and enforces related rules.
- Michigan Board of Cosmetology
- A state board that advises LARA on cosmetology licensing, standards, and rules; it does not replace the department’s enforcement authority.
- Scope of practice
- The specific services and tasks a licensee is legally permitted to perform under a given license type, such as cosmetologist, esthetician, or manicurist.
- Unlicensed practice
- Performing cosmetology services for compensation without a valid Michigan license; it is prohibited and subject to enforcement penalties.
- Informed consent
- Obtaining a client’s voluntary agreement after explaining the service, risks, benefits, and alternatives; it supports ethical and legal practice.
- Break-even point
- The sales amount at which total revenue equals total costs; calculated as fixed costs divided by the contribution margin per service or product.
- Contribution margin
- The selling price of a service or product minus its variable cost; it shows how much each sale contributes to covering fixed costs.
- Booth rental
- A business arrangement in which a licensed professional rents space in a salon and operates independently, often responsible for own taxes and supplies.
- Client confidentiality
- The ethical duty to protect private client information and not disclose it without permission, except where required by law or safety.
- Active listening
- A communication skill of focusing fully, reflecting back, and asking clarifying questions to understand the client’s needs and concerns.