OK Esthetician key terms

A thin, slightly acidic film of sebum, sweat, and cellular debris on the skin's surface. It helps inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and supports the barrier function of the skin.

The outermost layer of the epidermis, made of flattened, keratin-filled dead cells that shed continuously. It is the skin's primary barrier against water loss, irritants, and microorganisms.

An oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands and delivered into the hair follicle. It lubricates skin and hair and contributes to the skin's protective acid mantle.

A hair follicle plugged with sebum, dead cells, and debris. An open comedone is dark at the surface (blackhead); a closed comedone remains beneath the skin (whitehead).

A deep-cleansing technique that softens and emulsifies the sebum and keratin blocking follicles, usually with a negatively charged galvanic current, so comedones can be extracted more easily.

A constant direct electrical current with positive and negative poles. In facials it is used for desincrustation at the negative pole and for product infusion at the positive pole.

The use of a direct (galvanic) current to drive water-soluble skincare ingredients into the skin. The electrical charge of the product determines which pole is used.

The continuous movement of water from inside the body out through the epidermis into the air. Higher values indicate a weakened barrier, and moisturizers or occlusives help reduce it.

A six-point classification of how skin responds to ultraviolet light, ranging from always burns to rarely burns. Estheticians use it to gauge sun sensitivity and choose appropriate treatment intensity.

Any condition, medication, or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or inadvisable for a client. Identifying contraindications during the consultation prevents injury and complications.

A chronic inflammatory condition causing flushing, redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes bumps, most often across the nose and cheeks. Common triggers include heat, sun, spicy food, and alcohol.

The active growth phase of a hair follicle, when the hair shaft is being formed and pushed outward. A large share of the hair on the body is in this phase at any given time.

The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, when growth stops and the old hair is eventually shed. Follicles in this phase sit between periods of active hair production.

Short, fine, soft, lightly pigmented hair found over most of the body. It provides light insulation and is usually not the target of cosmetic hair removal.

Longer, coarser, darker, and thicker hair with a visible medulla, found on the scalp, brows, and lashes and, after puberty, on the underarms, legs, and bikini area.

A stripless wax that is applied warm, allowed to set, and then lifted off without a cloth strip. It shrink-wraps the hair and is often used on sensitive or small areas.

A hair removal method in which a twisted cotton thread is rolled over the skin to catch and lift hairs out of the follicle. It is precise and commonly used on the brows and upper lip.

Inflammation or infection of one or more hair follicles, appearing as tender red bumps or pustules. It can follow waxing or shaving, especially when sanitation or aftercare is poor.

Excessive growth of dark, coarse terminal hair on a woman in areas where hair growth is typically male-pattern, such as the face, chest, or abdomen. It often has a hormonal cause.

Putting a wax applicator back into the wax pot after it has touched a client's skin. This transfers microorganisms into the wax and is prohibited; a fresh applicator is used each time.

A tinted cosmetic applied over the face to even out skin tone and create a base for other makeup. Formulas range from sheer to full coverage and from matte to luminous finishes.

A heavily pigmented product used in small amounts to hide blemishes, dark circles, redness, or scars. It is typically applied over or under foundation and blended at the edges.

Colors positioned opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green. In makeup they neutralize unwanted tones, for example green to cancel redness or peach to soften bluish bruising.

The subtle underlying hue of a person's skin, described as warm (golden), cool (pink or bluish), or neutral. It stays fairly constant regardless of surface color and guides foundation and color choices.

Using darker and lighter makeup shades to create shadows and highlights that shape the appearance of the face. Dark shades make features recede; light shades bring them forward.

A process that destroys most harmful microorganisms, but not bacterial spores, on hard, nonporous surfaces and implements. It requires an EPA-registered product used exactly as the label directs.

The complete destruction of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, on an object. In a salon it is reserved for items that may contact broken skin, such as extractors and tweezers.

A standardized document supplied with a chemical product that lists its hazards, safe handling, first aid, and storage requirements. One must be accessible for every hazardous product in the salon.

Treating all blood, body fluids, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious and using barrier protection with every client. It removes the need to guess who might be contagious.

A class of EPA-registered disinfectant concentrate commonly used for salon implements and surfaces. It is diluted according to the label and must stay wet for the full contact time to work.

Microorganisms carried in blood that can cause disease, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. They are the reason for glove use and careful handling of sharp or contaminated items.

The outermost, avascular layer of the skin, composed of several sublayers in thick skin. It forms the protective barrier and continuously renews itself as surface cells shed.

The middle layer of the skin, containing collagen and elastin fibers, blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles. It gives skin strength, elasticity, and nourishment.

A specialized cell in the basal layer of the epidermis that produces melanin pigment and transfers it to surrounding skin cells. Melanin gives skin its color and helps screen ultraviolet light.

A sweat gland that secretes perspiration through a duct onto the skin's surface. Eccrine glands help cool the body, while apocrine glands in the underarms and groin become active after puberty.

The specific services and procedures a licensed esthetician is legally permitted to perform, as defined by state law. Working outside those limits can lead to discipline or loss of license.

A client's voluntary agreement to a service after being told what it involves, its expected results, its risks, and the alternatives. It is documented before the treatment begins.

A network of vessels, nodes, and organs that returns tissue fluid to the bloodstream and supports immune defense. Gentle massage strokes move lymph toward the nodes to reduce puffiness.