OK Barber flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Disinfection vs. sterilization

Disinfection destroys most pathogenic organisms on nonporous surfaces but not bacterial spores. Sterilization destroys all microbial life, including spores, and is required only for items that penetrate skin or contact blood.

Contact time

The label-stated number of minutes an implement must stay fully submerged in disinfectant. Shortening contact time means pathogens may survive, so the disinfection step is invalid.

Single-use porous items

Items such as cotton, wooden sticks, emery boards, and paper files cannot be reliably disinfected because liquid cannot penetrate them. They are discarded after one client.

Blood spill procedure

Put on gloves, remove the spill with absorbent material, discard it in a closed receptacle, disinfect the surface, remove gloves, and wash hands with soap and water.

Dermal papilla

A small cone of connective tissue at the base of the hair bulb that contains blood vessels and nerves. It supplies nutrients that allow the follicle to grow hair.

Hair shaft layers

The medulla is the innermost layer and may be absent in fine hair; the cortex holds pigment and moisture; the cuticle is the outer layer of overlapping scales.

Anagen phase

The active growth stage of the hair cycle, lasting roughly two to six years on the scalp. Most scalp hair is in anagen at any given time.

Telogen phase

The resting stage of the hair cycle, lasting about three months. Growth stops, the hair is shed, and a new hair begins forming in the follicle.

Elevation angle

The angle at which hair is held away from the head while cutting. Zero degrees makes a blunt line, 45 graduation, 90 uniform layers, and 180 long layers.

Guideline

The first section of hair cut in a haircut. It establishes the length that all following sections are matched to and controls the shape of the finished cut.

Clipper guard sizes

Guards cut in 1/8-inch increments: #1 leaves 1/8 inch, #2 leaves 1/4 inch, #3 leaves 3/8 inch, #4 leaves 1/2 inch. The #00000 blade cuts closest to the skin.

Clipper-over-comb

A blending technique in which the comb holds the hair and the clipper blade is held flat against the comb. It is used to blend sides and nape into longer top hair.

Cross-checking

Cutting the same section of hair in the opposite direction after the main cutting pass. It reveals uneven areas that were hidden by the direction of the first cut.

Straight razor angle

A straight razor is held at about 30 degrees from the skin. A steeper angle scrapes the skin, while a flatter angle glides over hair without cutting it.

Shaving grain direction

With-the-grain passes remove most lather and hair with least irritation. Across-the-grain adds closeness, and against-the-grain is closest but raises the risk of razor burn.

Beard neckline placement

The neckline is set about one to two finger-widths above the Adam's apple and follows the curve of the jaw. It is trimmed to a clean line for symmetry.

Stropping vs. honing

Stropping on leather aligns the straight razor's edge before use. Honing on stone grinds and restores an edge that has become dull or damaged.

Law of color

Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are orange, green, and violet, made by mixing two primaries. Complementary colors sit opposite each other and neutralize.

Developer volume and lift

Ten volume deposits or darkens with no lift; 20 volume lifts one to two levels; 30 volume lifts two to three; 40 volume lifts three to four with the most damage.

Strand test

A test on a small section of the client's hair before a full color or lightener application. It predicts processing time, resulting level, and condition of the hair.

Patch test

A small application of color product on the skin, usually behind the ear or in the elbow crease, checked before a full service. It detects an allergic reaction.

Permanent wave neutralizer

Hydrogen peroxide or sodium bromate applied after the waving solution. It rebuilds the disulfide bonds in their new shape and stops the chemical action of the reducing agent.

Rod size and curl

A smaller rod produces a tighter curl and a larger rod produces a looser wave. The rod diameter relative to the hair's natural curve determines the finished pattern.

Relaxer retouch

Application of relaxer only to new growth at the scalp, not to previously relaxed hair. Overlapping the relaxer onto treated hair causes overprocessing and breakage.

Sodium bromate neutralizer

A neutralizer that rebuilds disulfide bonds without lightening the hair. It is chosen over hydrogen peroxide when the hair's color must be preserved.

Test curl

A check made during a permanent wave in which a rod is unwound to see whether the desired curl pattern has formed. It prevents overprocessing before neutralizing.

Scalp massage technique

Massage is done with the pads of the fingers, not the nails, to increase blood flow. It is avoided over inflamed, broken, or infected skin.

Conditioner placement

Conditioner is applied to the mid-shaft and ends rather than the scalp. The scalp produces its own oil, and heavy conditioner near the roots can weigh hair down.

Referable scalp conditions

Ringworm, impetigo, and severe seborrheic dermatitis are contagious or medical conditions. A barber refers the client to a physician and does not diagnose or treat them.

Clarifying shampoo

A shampoo formulated to remove product buildup, hard-water minerals, and excess oil. It is used less often than daily shampoo because it can strip moisture.

Scope of practice

The set of services a license legally permits a barber to perform. Services outside that scope must be declined or referred to another licensed professional.

Informed consent

A documented consultation before a chemical or risky service covering the client's history, prior products, and expectations. It supports the client's choice and reduces liability.