Hair and Scalp Care, Shampooing, and Treatments
What the exam tests
Questions cover scalp and hair assessment, shampoo selection, draping, massage safety, and choosing a treatment without diagnosing a medical condition.
Core rules
- Assess before service: look for redness, lesions, flaking, parasites, or tenderness; check hair porosity, elasticity, density, and texture. Refer medical-looking conditions rather than treating them.
- Shampoo procedure: drape with towel and cape, use moderate water temperature, wet hair fully, emulsify shampoo, lather with fingertips rather than nails, and rinse thoroughly. Apply conditioner to midshaft and ends unless the product directs otherwise.
- Clarifying shampoo removes product buildup; moisturizing shampoo adds emollients; protein treatments temporarily fill gaps in damaged hair, but too much protein can make hair brittle.
- Scalp massage should be slow and gentle with fingertips. Avoid massage over inflammation, open lesions, recent injury, or undiagnosed lumps.
- Record products used and any reaction.
Worked example
A client has an oily scalp and dry ends. Reason it out: this is combination scalp/hair, so use a gentle shampoo concentrated on the scalp, rinse well, and apply conditioner only from midshaft to ends. Avoid heavy oils on the scalp and avoid scrubbing the scalp with nails. Recommend a light clarifying wash only if buildup is present, not daily.
Traps that cost marks
Using hot water; massaging with nails; applying heavy conditioner to an oily scalp; calling flaking “dandruff” without referral; and overusing protein treatments on fragile hair.
Key points
- Assess scalp and hair before choosing a shampoo.
- Fingertips, not nails, and moderate water temperature.
- Conditioner goes midshaft to ends for most clients.
- Clarify buildup; moisturize dryness; do not overuse protein.
- Refer inflamed or suspicious scalp conditions.