Hair and Scalp Care, Shampooing, and Conditioning
What the exam tests
Shampooing and conditioning are analyzed by scalp condition, hair porosity, and product chemistry. Nevada expects safe water temperature, proper massage, and recognition of when not to service.
Core rules
- Shampoo removes sebum, sweat, and product; conditioner lowers friction, improves combability, and temporarily fills gaps in porous hair.
- Use lukewarm water; hot water strips color and irritates scalp.
- Shampoo the scalp, not the ends, with fingertips-not nails.
- Match conditioner to need: light for fine hair, richer for coarse or chemically treated hair; keep heavy conditioner off the scalp if oily.
- Do not massage an inflamed, scraped, sunburned, or infected scalp; refer out.
Worked example
A client with fine, oily roots and dry, bleached ends asks for “deep conditioning all over.” The reasoning: apply a clarifying or light shampoo at the scalp, rinse, then apply conditioner from mid-shaft to ends. A heavy mask at the roots would weigh down fine hair and add oil. If the scalp is irritated, skip massage and use cool water.
Traps
Scrubbing with nails; using very hot water; applying conditioner to the scalp for every hair type; and treating a scalp lesion as “just dandruff.” Also know that a scalp massage is not a treatment for infection.