SC Esthetician key terms

A numbered scale from 0 to 14 that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, with 7 being neutral; used to compare skin care products with the skin's own surface.

The thin, slightly acidic film of sebum and sweat on the skin's surface that helps repel bacteria and slows moisture loss.

The outermost layer of the skin, which has no blood vessels; new cells form at its base and move upward as older cells flatten and shed.

The deeper layer beneath the epidermis that contains collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerves, follicles, and glands, supporting and nourishing the skin above.

The topmost layer of the epidermis, made of flattened, keratin-filled cells that form the skin's main protective barrier and shed continuously.

A cell in the epidermis that produces melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and helps shield it from ultraviolet radiation.

A gland attached to a hair follicle that secretes sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin and hair and can contribute to clogged pores.

A process that destroys most harmful microorganisms on hard, nonporous surfaces and implements, but does not reliably kill bacterial spores.

The complete destruction of all microbial life, including bacterial spores, usually achieved with an autoclave and required for items that contact broken skin.

Infection-control practices applied to every client regardless of known health status, including hand washing, gloves, and safe handling of blood and body fluids.

A standardized document supplied with a chemical product that lists its hazards, safe handling, first-aid measures, and spill response instructions.

A tool with a smooth, sealed surface such as metal or glass that cannot absorb liquids, so it can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse on other clients.

Any condition, medication, or circumstance that makes a treatment unsafe or inadvisable for a client and calls for modification, postponement, or referral.

A six-point classification of skin types based on how skin responds to sun exposure, used to judge burning risk and plan treatments such as peels.

A pore blocked by sebum and dead cells; an open comedone is a blackhead and a closed comedone is a whitehead.

A chronic condition causing facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and sometimes bumps, often triggered by heat, sun, and spicy food.

Blotchy brown or gray-brown patches of increased pigment, usually on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip, often linked to sun exposure and hormones.

The controlled removal of comedones and built-up debris from pores during a facial, using gloved fingers or a metal extractor after softening the skin.

A gentle, gliding massage stroke that follows the contours of the face and neck, used to begin and end a massage and to spread product.

A kneading or lifting massage movement that compresses and squeezes muscle and soft tissue to relieve tension and improve circulation.

A brisk, rhythmic tapping or percussion movement made with the fingertips or hands, applied briefly to stimulate and invigorate the skin.

Light, rhythmic strokes that follow the direction of lymph flow to reduce puffiness and help move fluid toward the lymph nodes.

Application of an acid solution that removes layers of dead skin cells and stimulates renewal; the strength chosen sets the depth, downtime, and results.

Mechanical exfoliation that uses a stream of crystals or a diamond-tipped wand to sand away the outermost skin layer and smooth surface texture.

The active growth stage of the hair cycle, when hair is firmly attached to the follicle and growing; most hair removal methods target hair in this stage.

A stripless wax that shrinks and lifts as it cools, gripping the hair without a cloth strip; well suited to coarse hair and sensitive areas.

A small application of a product on a discreet area of skin, watched over a set period to detect an allergic or irritant reaction before full use.

The underlying warm, cool, or neutral hue of a person's skin, used to select foundation, concealer, and color cosmetics that blend naturally.

A direct electrical current with a positive and a negative pole, used in facials to push water-soluble products into the skin or to soften hardened sebum.

Use of a direct current to drive water-soluble, charged ingredients into the skin; the pole with the same charge as the product repels it into the tissue.

A galvanic technique that uses the negative pole with an alkaline solution to soften and emulsify hardened sebum and debris in pores before extraction.

An alternating, oscillating current that produces a violet glow and ozone when applied through a glass electrode, used to dry blemishes and stimulate skin.

A stable blend of oil and water held together by an emulsifier, forming the base of most lotions and creams used in skin care.

A molecule that lets oil and water mix and lifts dirt and oil from the skin so it can be rinsed away; the key ingredient in cleansers.

An ingredient such as glycerin that attracts and holds water in the skin, helping to keep the surface layer hydrated.

Describes a product or ingredient with a tendency to clog pores and contribute to comedones; important to flag for clients prone to breakouts.

The range of services and procedures an esthetician is legally allowed to perform under state law, based on training and license level.

A client's voluntary agreement to a treatment after being told its benefits, risks, alternatives, and aftercare, documented in the client record.

The state regulatory body that licenses estheticians, sets sanitation and practice rules, investigates complaints, and enforces the cosmetology statutes.