TN Esthetician cheat sheet

Sanitation removes visible debris and reduces microbial count on surfaces; it does not kill pathogens. Disinfection destroys most pathogens on nonporous surfaces but not bacterial spores; sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores.

Implements that contact skin or blood are cleaned with soap and water, dried, then fully submerged in an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim for the label contact time (commonly 10 minutes).

Porous items (cotton, gauze, wooden applicators, sponges, pencil tips, facial tissue) absorb liquid, cannot be disinfected, and are single-use only.

Organic matter such as oil, cream, or blood inactivates disinfectant, so scrubbing before immersion is required for the disinfectant to work.

Blood or body fluid spill protocol: gloves on, absorb with a disposable towel, clean the area with soap and water, disinfect with a tuberculocidal product at label dilution, and discard waste in a double bag.

Hand washing with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds is required before and after each client and immediately after glove removal.

Universal precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious; PPE includes gloves, eye protection, and a mask when splash is possible.

Disinfectant solutions are mixed fresh at the labeled dilution and replaced when visibly soiled or when the label states; containers are labeled and covered.

Electrical safety in the treatment room requires grounded outlets, no cords across walkways, and dry hands when plugging or unplugging equipment.

Epidermis layers from deepest to surface: stratum germinativum (basale), stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (palms and soles only), stratum corneum.

The epidermis is avascular; its cells are nourished by diffusion from capillaries in the papillary dermis.

Dermis has two layers: the thin upper papillary layer (capillary loops, nerve endings) and the thick lower reticular layer (collagen, elastin, glands, follicles).

Subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is adipose and loose connective tissue that insulates the body and cushions underlying structures.

Keratinocytes produce keratin for barrier protection, melanocytes produce melanin, Langerhans cells provide immune defense, and Merkel cells register touch.

Six functions of skin: protection, sensation, heat regulation, excretion, secretion, and absorption.

The acid mantle is a film of sebum and sweat at about pH 4.5-5.5 that inhibits bacteria and supports barrier integrity.

Eccrine sweat glands cover most of the body and regulate temperature; apocrine glands are found in the axillae and genital area and become active at puberty.

Facial bones include the frontal, zygomatic (cheekbone), maxilla (upper jaw), mandible (lower jaw), nasal, and temporal bones; the masseter is the chewing muscle.

Skin type (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive) is genetically determined; skin conditions such as dehydration, acne, and pigmentation are treatable states separate from type.

Combination skin shows oiliness in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with normal or dry cheeks; each zone is treated according to its condition.

Primary lesions appear first (macule, papule, pustule, vesicle, wheal, nodule); secondary lesions develop from primary lesions (crust, scale, scar, excoriation, fissure, ulcer).

The Fitzpatrick scale I-VI rates the skin's response to ultraviolet light and predicts sunburn and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk from waxing, peels, and extractions.

Contagious conditions including conjunctivitis, impetigo, herpes simplex, tinea infections, scabies, and head lice are absolute contraindications; the service is declined and the client is referred to a physician.

Inflammation is a contraindication to extraction and exfoliation; only noninflamed open and closed comedones are safely extracted.

Systemic contraindications to waxing and chemical exfoliation include isotretinoin use, recent retinoid or acid use, recent dermabrasion or peel, diabetes, and immunosuppression.

Vascular and pigmentary conditions such as telangiectasia, rosacea, and melasma are managed with gentle products, cool temperatures, and avoidance of heat and aggressive stimulation.

Estheticians do not diagnose; any undiagnosed growth, changing mole, or suspicious lesion (ABCDE signs) is referred out without treatment.

The pH scale runs 0-14; below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline, 7 is neutral, and skin surface averages about pH 5.5.

Surfactants have a hydrophilic head and a lipophilic tail, allowing them to emulsify oil and debris so it can be rinsed away.

An emulsion is oil and water held together by an emulsifier; oil-in-water emulsions feel lighter and water-in-oil emulsions feel richer and heavier.

AHAs (glycolic, lactic) are water-soluble and act on the skin surface; BHA (salicylic acid) is oil-soluble and penetrates the follicle, making it useful for oily and acne-prone skin.

Humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid) bind water; emollients (oils, esters) soften and smooth; occlusives (petrolatum, dimethicone) reduce transepidermal water loss.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide neutralize free radicals; vitamin C also suppresses tyrosinase, reducing melanin production.

Fragrance and essential oils are the most common cosmetic allergens; a patch test is read at 24-48 hours before a full application.

Products are dispensed with a spatula or pump and never double-dipped; jars are kept closed and stored away from heat and direct sunlight, which oxidize vitamin C and volatile oils.

Chemical peel depth is governed by the acid concentration, the pH (lower pH = more free acid = deeper), and the free acid value.

Standard facial sequence: consultation and skin analysis, cleanse, exfoliate, steam and/or extractions, massage, mask, then moisturizer and sunscreen.

Steam softens sebum and increases circulation; the steamer is held 8-10 inches from the face for roughly 3-10 minutes and is avoided with rosacea, asthma, or sensitive skin.

Classic massage movements: effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping), friction, and vibration.

Facial massage generally works upward and outward along muscle and lymphatic flow; pressure over the carotid sinus, thyroid, and bony eye orbit is avoided.

Massage contraindications include fever, acute inflammation, recent surgery or fractures, severe varicose veins, and uncontrolled hypertension.

Extractions are performed on noninflamed comedones after softening with warm compresses, with gloves on and a fresh applicator or tissue for each area.

Products are layered from thinnest to thickest consistency; sunscreen is always the final step of a daytime facial.

Client records include intake form, allergies, medications, skin analysis, services performed, products used, and signed consent.

Professional boundaries, proper draping, adequate lighting and temperature control, and clear communication throughout the service define client care standards.

Hair cycle stages: anagen (active growth with bulb and root sheath), catagen (transition), telogen (resting); waxing is most effective on anagen hair.

Wax is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed against the direction of growth while the skin is held taut.

Soft wax is applied thin and removed with a cloth strip; hard (stripless) wax is applied thicker, sets, and is removed without a strip, suiting sensitive areas and coarse hair.

Double dipping is prohibited: one applicator or spatula contacts the client's skin once, then is discarded; wax pots are never touched by a used applicator.

Absolute contraindications include isotretinoin use, recent retinoid or AHA use, recent chemical peel or dermabrasion, sunburn, active infection, and uncontrolled diabetes.

Wax is avoided over moles, warts, varicose veins, broken skin, and areas treated with laser or dermabrasion.

Post-wax care: no heat, sun, sauna, friction, or exfoliation for 24-48 hours; soothing azulene or hydrocortisone lotion reduces redness.

Sugaring paste is applied against the direction of hair growth and removed in the direction of growth, the reverse of waxing technique.

Ingrown hairs are reduced by gentle exfoliation beginning about 48 hours after waxing and by consistent moisturizing.

Color theory correction: green neutralizes redness, yellow or peach cancels blue-purple, lavender brightens sallow tones, and peach-orange corrects dark under-eye circles.

Foundation is matched to undertone (warm, cool, neutral) and tested along the jawline under natural light.

Face shapes (oval, round, square, heart, diamond, oblong, triangle) guide contour and highlight placement; dark contour recedes and light highlight advances.

Mascara, lip gloss, and eyeliner wands are single-use; pencils are sharpened and sanitized between clients, and cream or gel products are removed with a clean spatula.

Natural lashes shed and regrow on a cycle of roughly 60-90 days, so each extension is attached one per natural lash with isolation.

Lash adhesive is a cyanoacrylate that cures best at about 45-60 percent relative humidity and 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit; low humidity slows curing and high humidity causes shock curing.

A patch test of adhesive or tint is performed 24-48 hours before the first service, and a written record is kept.

Contraindications to lash services include eye infection, blepharitis, recent eye surgery, known cyanoacrylate allergy, and trichotillomania.

Extensions are removed with a gel or cream remover and never pulled; the client keeps eyes closed during adhesive curing.

Estheticians and salons in Tennessee are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners within the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Tennessee esthetics scope of practice covers skin care of the face and neck, makeup application, temporary hair removal, and lash services; medical procedures such as injectables, lasers, and deep peels are outside the license.

A license must be current and posted or readily available at the work location, and the salon must hold a valid establishment license.

Only a licensed or properly permitted individual may perform esthetics services for compensation; students may perform services only in a licensed school under instructor supervision.

Unlicensed practice is prohibited and carries civil penalties and criminal charges; the Board may also fine, suspend, or revoke a license for violations.

Sanitation standards, including disinfection of implements and use of single-use items, are Board rules subject to inspection; violations are grounds for discipline.

An esthetician may not diagnose or treat a disease or condition; clients with suspected skin disease are referred to a licensed physician.

Licensees must notify the Board of a change of name or address, and renewal must be completed within the Board's cycle to avoid late fees or reinstatement.

The Board sets curriculum and clock-hour requirements for approved esthetics schools and approves the written and practical licensing examinations.

Core ethical duties: confidentiality, informed consent, honest advertising, nondiscrimination, and practicing strictly within the licensed scope.

Client records, photographs, and before-and-after images are confidential and require written release before any commercial or social media use.

Business structures include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, and corporation; Tennessee entities are registered with the Secretary of State.

Keystone pricing sets retail at roughly twice wholesale cost; service pricing is built from product cost, time, overhead, and profit margin.

Worker classification depends on control: employees are on payroll with taxes withheld, while independent contractors and booth renters file their own taxes.

Professional liability insurance covers services performed, and general liability covers premises; both are commonly required by landlords and salons.

A written cancellation and late-arrival policy disclosed at booking reduces scheduling loss; double-booking is avoided by realistic service timing.

No marketing may claim to cure or treat a disease; results are described as cosmetic improvement only.

Client records are retained per state and insurer requirements, and continuing education is documented for license renewal.