MS Cosmetology cheat sheet

The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology regulates cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and wig specialists; instructors and schools are licensed under the same statute.

Licenses are issued by the Board after passing the required examination; licenses must be posted in plain view at the workstation or establishment.

A licensee who changes name or address must notify the Board in writing within the timeframe set by Board rule; failure to do so is a rule violation.

Establishments must hold a current establishment license, display it, and operate under a licensed individual who is responsible for compliance.

Sanitation and safety requirements in the statute mirror standard practice: clean implements, covered containers, and proper disposal of single-use items.

Continuing education and license renewal cycles are set by Board rule; lapsed licenses require reinstatement and may involve fees or reexamination.

Practicing on an expired, suspended, or unlicensed basis is grounds for disciplinary action, including fines, suspension, or revocation.

Board inspections may occur during business hours; inspectors may examine implements, records, and sanitation practices without prior notice.

Client records, including chemical service history and patch test results where required, must be maintained and made available on request.

Sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfection destroys most pathogens on surfaces but not necessarily spores; sanitation reduces contaminants to a safe level.

EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants are required for implements that contact skin or blood; follow label contact time exactly.

Blood and body fluid spills are handled with gloves, absorbent material, and an EPA-registered disinfectant; contaminated materials go in a sealed bag.

Single-use items (razor blades, nail files, orange sticks, cotton) are discarded after one client and never reused.

Porous implements that cannot be disinfected are single-use; nonporous implements are washed, dried, then immersed in disinfectant.

Hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is required before and after each client; alcohol-based sanitizer is a supplement, not a substitute.

Electrical safety includes checking cords for damage, keeping water away from outlets, and never using equipment with frayed wiring.

Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be available for all chemicals in the salon; they describe hazards, handling, and first aid.

The hair shaft has three layers: medulla (innermost, often absent in fine hair), cortex (middle, holds pigment and strength), and cuticle (outermost, protective scales).

The hair follicle is a tube-like pocket in the skin; the bulb at its base contains the matrix where cell division produces new hair.

The sebaceous gland attached to the follicle secretes sebum, which lubricates hair and skin; the arrector pili muscle causes goosebumps.

The hair growth cycle has three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting and shedding).

The skin has three layers: epidermis (outer), dermis (middle, containing follicles and glands), and subcutaneous (fat and insulation).

Melanin, produced by melanocytes, determines hair and skin color; loss of melanocytes causes gray hair.

The pH of skin and hair is slightly acidic (about 4.5–5.5), which helps maintain the acid mantle and protect against bacteria.

Bones of the skull, facial muscles, and the blood supply to the head are relevant to massage and scalp treatments; avoid pressure on arteries and nerves.

Shampoo selection depends on hair type and scalp condition: normal, oily, dry, or chemically treated; pH-balanced shampoos are gentler.

Conditioners work by smoothing the cuticle and reducing static; deep conditioners penetrate the cortex and are left on longer.

Scalp conditions include dandruff (seborrhea), psoriasis (scaly plaques), and tinea (fungal); contagious conditions require medical referral and no service.

A patch test is required before certain chemical services and color; record the result and date in the client record.

Hair analysis (porosity, elasticity, density) guides treatment choice; high porosity absorbs and loses moisture quickly.

Scalp massage increases circulation but is contraindicated over inflamed, broken, or infected skin.

Hot oil treatments and scalp treatments are applied to the scalp and hair, then removed with shampoo; avoid on clients with open lesions.

Client consultation should identify allergies, medications, pregnancy, and prior chemical services before any treatment.

The four basic haircut structures are solid (blunt), graduated, layered, and increased-layered; each creates a different weight line and silhouette.

Elevation (degree of lift) controls the length relationship between sections; 0° is blunt, 45° is graduated, 90° is layered, and 180° is long-layered.

Distribution (natural fall, shifted, or perpendicular) determines where hair falls and how the cut line is created.

The guide (stationary or traveling) determines the length of subsequent cuts; a stationary guide is not moved, a traveling guide moves with each section.

Texturizing techniques include point cutting, notching, slicing, and thinning; they remove bulk and soften lines.

Blow-drying and thermal styling use heat to shape hair; always use a heat protectant and keep tools moving to avoid damage.

The round brush adds volume and bend; a paddle brush smooths; a vent brush speeds drying.

Finishing products (pomade, wax, hairspray) are chosen by hold level and finish (matte or shine).

Chemical relaxers break disulfide bonds in the cortex; the active ingredient is typically sodium hydroxide (lye) or ammonium thioglycolate (no-lye).

Relaxer strength and processing time depend on hair texture, porosity, and prior chemical history; always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

A base cream protects the scalp and hairline during relaxer application; apply to the scalp before the relaxer.

Neutralizing shampoo stops the relaxer action and restores pH; incomplete neutralization causes continued processing and damage.

Thio-based products are used for permanent waves (cold waves); the waving lotion softens the hair and the neutralizer re-forms bonds.

A patch test and strand test are recommended before chemical services; document results.

Overprocessing causes breakage, dryness, and loss of elasticity; do not relax hair that has been previously relaxed or bleached without assessment.

Protective equipment (gloves, apron, eye protection) is required when handling relaxers and waving lotions.

Hair color products are classified as temporary, semipermanent, demi-permanent, and permanent; permanence depends on whether the color penetrates the cortex.

The law of color: primary colors (red, yellow, blue) combine to form secondary colors (orange, green, violet); complementary colors neutralize each other.

Developer (hydrogen peroxide) volume determines lift and deposit: 10 volume deposits, 20 volume lifts one level, 30 volume lifts two, 40 volume lifts three.

The level system runs from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde); tone describes warm, cool, or neutral undertones.

A patch test is required 24–48 hours before color application to check for allergic reaction.

Lightening (bleaching) removes pigment; strand tests determine timing and whether the hair can withstand the process.

Color correction requires assessing the client's current level, target level, and underlying pigment before formulating.

Always wear gloves and mix color in a well-ventilated area; never store mixed color for later use.

The nail has a plate, bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, and free edge; the matrix produces new nail cells.

Nail shapes include square, squoval, oval, round, and stiletto; shape is chosen based on hand and nail structure.

Manicure steps: sanitize hands, shape nails, soak, push back cuticles, trim if needed, massage, and polish.

Pedicure requires careful attention to diabetic clients and those with circulatory problems; refer to a physician if in doubt.

Implements must be disinfected between clients; files and buffers are single-use or disinfected per manufacturer instructions.

Nail disorders include onychomycosis (fungal), paronychia (infection of tissue around nail), and onycholysis (separation of nail plate).

Gel and acrylic enhancements require proper prep, curing, and removal to avoid damage; never force removal.

Foot baths must be cleaned and disinfected between clients; use liners where available.

Skin types are normal, dry, oily, and combination; skin conditions include sensitive, acne, rosacea, and aging.

Cleansing, exfoliation, toning, and moisturizing form the basic facial routine; massage improves circulation.

Extractions should be performed only on non-inflamed lesions; avoid on cystic acne or broken skin.

Facial massage movements include effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction; each has a specific purpose.

Sun protection (SPF 30 or higher) is recommended daily to prevent photoaging and skin cancer.

Contraindications for facial services include active infection, recent surgery, and certain medications that increase photosensitivity.

Waxing requires a patch test and careful temperature control; do not wax over irritated or broken skin.

Makeup application should match skin tone and undertone; sanitize brushes and sponges between clients.

Professional ethics include confidentiality, honesty, and respect for client boundaries; never discuss a client's information with others.

Client consultation should be documented, including services performed, products used, and any adverse reactions.

Pricing should reflect time, product cost, and overhead; a service menu helps clients understand options.

Retail product sales should be based on client needs and hair/skin analysis, not pressure.

Social media and marketing must respect client privacy; obtain written consent before posting photos.

Time management and scheduling reduce wait times and improve client satisfaction.

Continuing education keeps skills current and may be required for license renewal.

Handle complaints professionally: listen, apologize for the experience, and offer a solution within policy.