NV Cosmetology cheat sheet

Sanitizing reduces pathogens on surfaces to a safe public-health level; disinfecting destroys most pathogens on nonporous implements; sterilizing destroys all microbial life including spores.

Hospital-grade disinfectants must carry an EPA registration number and a label claim of bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity; follow the label's contact time exactly.

Porous items that contact blood or body fluids (nail files, buffers, wooden sticks, cotton) are single-use only and cannot be disinfected.

Implements must be cleaned of debris, dried, then fully immersed in disinfectant; solution must be changed per manufacturer instructions or when visibly soiled.

Blood spill protocol: wear gloves, stop service, apply an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant or 10% bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water, mixed fresh), and dispose of contaminated materials in a sealed bag.

Hand washing requires soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds; hand sanitizer is not a substitute when hands are visibly soiled.

Electrical safety: never immerse a plug or cord in water, use GFCI outlets near water sources, and disconnect tools by the plug, not the cord.

Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be kept on site for every chemical product and be accessible to all employees.

The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology licenses cosmetologists, aestheticians, nail technologists, hair designers, electrologists, and instructors, and regulates salons and schools.

A licensee must display the Nevada license in the work area; licenses are renewed on a biennial cycle and continuing education requirements apply per license type.

Salon licenses are issued per establishment and are not transferable to a new owner or location; a change of ownership requires a new application.

Services must be performed in a licensed establishment except where the Board's rules permit specific mobile or limited settings; practicing without a license is prohibited.

The Board may inspect establishments during business hours, and violations can result in fines, suspension, or revocation after disciplinary proceedings.

A licensee must not perform services beyond the scope of the license held (for example, a nail technologist may not perform chemical hair relaxing).

Sanitation requirements in rule mirror the use of EPA-registered hospital disinfectants for implements and single-use items for porous materials.

Client records and chemical service documentation should be retained as required by Board rule and made available on inspection.

Hair has three layers: cuticle (outer, overlapping scales), cortex (middle, pigment and strength), and medulla (central core, may be absent in fine hair).

The hair follicle extends from the epidermis into the dermis; the bulb at its base contains the matrix where cell division produces the hair shaft.

The sebaceous gland secretes sebum into the follicle; the arrector pili muscle contracts to raise the hair.

Hair growth cycles: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting/shedding).

Skin layers: epidermis (outer, avascular), dermis (connective tissue, nerves, vessels, glands), and subcutaneous (fat).

Nail structure: nail plate, nail bed, matrix (growth site), cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, lunula, and lateral nail folds.

Bones of the arm relevant to services: humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges; the ulna is on the little-finger side.

Melanin produced by melanocytes determines natural hair and skin color; pheomelanin is red/yellow and eumelanin is brown/black.

Scalp analysis before service: identify dryness, oiliness, tightness, flaking, redness, or lesions; refer lesions, inflammation, or contagious conditions to a physician.

Shampoo surfactants lift oil and debris; the amphoteric and nonionic surfactants are gentler than strong anionics and suit color-treated or dry hair.

Conditioners work by depositing cationic ingredients on negatively charged hair, reducing friction and improving combability; they do not repair the cortex.

Water temperature for shampooing should be moderate; hot water increases oil removal and can fade color and irritate the scalp.

Massage manipulations for shampoo: effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction; avoid heavy pressure on sensitive or inflamed scalps.

Dry shampoo and scalp tonics are alternatives when water shampooing is contraindicated; always follow manufacturer directions.

A patch test is required before applying aniline-derivative (coal tar) hair color, not before ordinary shampoo or conditioner.

Rinse thoroughly: residual shampoo or conditioner can cause dullness, flaking, and buildup.

Reference points: parietal ridge, occipital bone, apex, crown, nape, and ears; sectioning uses horizontal, vertical, and diagonal partings.

Elevation (lifting) controls volume: 0 degrees builds a solid form, 45 degrees a graduated form, 90 degrees a uniform layer, and 180 degrees a long-layered form.

Distribution (natural fall vs. shifted) determines where hair is held relative to its growth direction and changes the resulting line.

Cutting lines: blunt (zero elevation, weight at perimeter), graduated (stacked weight), layered (movement, reduced weight), and long-layered (blended length).

Guide (section) is the first cut strand that sets length; traveling guide moves, stationary guide stays fixed.

Texturizing techniques include point cutting, notching, slithering, slicing, and thinning shears; use sparingly near the perimeter.

Wet cutting gives precise control on straight hair; dry cutting reveals the true shape on curly or wavy hair.

Cross-check the cut by parting in the opposite direction to verify balance and blend.

The hair color wheel: primary colors are red, yellow, and blue; secondary are orange, green, and violet; complementary colors neutralize unwanted tones.

Level system runs 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde); tone describes warm, neutral, or cool character.

Developer (hydrogen peroxide) volumes: 10 vol (3%), 20 vol (6%), 30 vol (9%), and 40 vol (12%); higher volume lifts more but adds damage.

Permanent color uses an aniline derivative plus developer to enter the cortex; demi-permanent uses low-volume developer and deposits without lifting; semi-permanent is direct dye.

Lightening (bleach) lifts natural pigment through stages from red to orange, yellow, and pale yellow; underlying pigment must be considered before toning.

A patch test is required 24 to 48 hours before aniline-derivative color; a strand test predicts timing and result.

Do not shampoo immediately before a color service if the scalp is irritated; avoid metallic dyes and incompatible products.

Formulas: color ratio is typically 1:1 or 1:2 per manufacturer; always record the formula, developer, and timing on the client record.

A permanent wave breaks disulfide bonds with a reducing agent (ammonium thioglycolate or glyceryl monothioglycolate), then rebuilds them with a neutralizer (hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromate).

Relaxers break disulfide bonds with sodium hydroxide (lye) or guanidine hydroxide (no-lye) and are neutralized by the relaxer's own chemistry and acidic shampoo.

Rod size and wrapping pattern determine curl size and direction; smaller rods produce tighter curls.

Processing time depends on hair porosity, texture, and density; test curl monitors wave formation and prevents overprocessing.

Do not apply a relaxer over a thio-based wave or color within the same day unless the manufacturer permits it; strand test and space services.

Base cream protects the scalp during relaxer application; never apply relaxer to irritated or broken skin.

A thio-free wave uses different chemistry; follow the specific manufacturer's processing and neutralization instructions.

Neutralizing must be thorough; residual reducing agent causes continued curl loss and damage.

Post-service: use pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner, wait before color or heat services per manufacturer guidance.

Blow-dry styling: direct airflow from scalp to ends to smooth the cuticle; use a nozzle and keep the dryer moving to avoid heat damage.

Thermal tools: temperature should match hair texture; fine or damaged hair needs lower heat; always use a heat protectant.

Wet styling uses mousse, gel, or setting lotion; dry styling uses pomade, wax, or hairspray for hold and finish.

Braiding types include three-strand, French, Dutch, fishtail, and cornrow; tension must be moderate to avoid traction alopecia.

Hair additions: fusion, tape-in, clip-in, sew-in, and bonding methods; match hair texture and color and check for allergic reaction.

Wig cap construction: capless, cap with lace front, monofilament, and hand-tied; fit and care differ by type.

Remove braids and extensions on schedule; cleanse the scalp and check for breakage, redness, or tenderness.

Pin curls, finger waves, and roller sets rely on molding and setting; allow full drying before removing tools.

Nail plate is nonporous keratin; the nail bed is vascular and the matrix produces new cells; the cuticle seals the nail plate to the skin.

Do not cut the eponychium or living tissue; push back the cuticle gently and trim only loose, nonliving tissue per scope of practice.

Single-use items include files, buffers, wooden pushers, and toe separators; metal implements must be cleaned and disinfected after each client.

Nail disorders: onychomycosis (fungal), paronychia (bacterial inflammation of nail folds), onycholysis (separation), and pterygium (forward growth of cuticle).

Refer clients with signs of infection, inflammation, or nail disease to a physician; do not perform services on infected tissue.

Pedicure protocol: sanitize the basin, use a disposable liner or approved disinfection, and avoid razors or credo blades.

Acrylic and gel enhancements require proper prep, primer, and cure; avoid skin contact with monomer and use in a ventilated area.

Nail polish removal with acetone is flammable; keep away from open flame and store per SDS.

Skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive; Fitzpatrick scale classifies sun response for treatment planning.

Cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, massage, mask, and moisturizer form the basic facial sequence; extraction is limited by scope of practice.

Skin analysis under magnification identifies pores, texture, pigmentation, and lesions; note any suspicious lesion and refer.

Chemical exfoliants (AHA, BHA) require patch testing and sun protection; concentrations and pH determine strength.

Waxing: test temperature, apply in direction of hair growth, remove against it, and avoid waxing over irritated skin or recent peels.

Contraindications include active infection, open lesions, recent chemical peel, sunburn, and certain medications that increase photosensitivity.

Sanitation in esthetics: single-use spatulas, clean brushes, disinfected tweezers, and fresh linens per client.

Sun protection is a core recommendation; SPF 30 or higher and avoidance of UV tanning support skin health.

Client consultation includes lifestyle, hair history, chemical history, allergies, and expectations; document the agreed service and price.

Client records should include service date, products used, formulas, timing, patch test results, and any adverse reactions.

Informed consent and clear pricing reduce disputes; confirm the service plan before beginning and note any changes.

Confidentiality: do not disclose client information or images without permission.

Retail recommendation should match the client's needs and be explained; avoid pressure selling.

Business basics: track income and expenses, keep receipts, understand booth rental versus employee classification, and maintain insurance.

Professional communication includes active listening, open questions, and nonjudgmental responses to client concerns.

Continuing education and staying current with Nevada Board rules are part of professional practice.