Hair Shaping Need-to-Know Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terminology from the Hair Shaping course notes.

Infection

The invasion of body tissues by disease-causing bacteria (pathogenic bacteria) or viruses.

Virus

A submicroscopic, parasitic particle that causes disease.

Immunity

The body’s ability to fight or defend against infection and disease.

Contamination

The presence of unclean materials or tools left on a surface.

Decontamination

The removal of any infectious materials on tools or surfaces by following sanitation and disinfection guidelines.

Decontamination Method 1 (Disinfecting)

Clean tools with warm, soapy water, remove visible debris, then submerge tools in an EPA-registered disinfectant; follow contact time and mixing ratios.

Contact time

The amount of time the disinfectant must stay moist on a surface to be effective.

Decontamination Method 2 (Sterilization)

Clean tools with warm, soapy water, remove debris, then place tools in an autoclave; sterilization destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Allergy

An immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.

Exposure Incident

Contact with broken skin, body fluids, blood, or other potentially infectious items at work.

Standard Precautions

CDC guidelines requiring employers and employees to assume all human blood and body fluids are bloodborne pathogens.

Ergonomics

The applied science of designing and arranging things to be used by people so they interact efficiently and safely.

Contagious / Communicable

Infections or diseases that can be transferred from one person to another by contact.

Disease

Bacterial invasion of the body that disrupts normal health.

Disorder

Any abnormality of bodily function; services can be performed with special product recommendations.

Bacteria

One-cell microorganisms.

Non-Pathogenic

Bacteria that are not harmful.

Pathogenic

Bacteria that are harmful and cause disease.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Infectious pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood or bodily fluids (e.g., HBV, HIV).

Pediculosis Capitis

Infestation of the hair and scalp by head lice.

Scabies

A condition caused by a microscopic mite, the itch mite.

Cocci

Circular-shaped bacteria that produce pus and can cause strep throat and blood poisoning.

Staphylococci

Bacterial cells that form clusters like grapes; pus-forming and can cause abscesses, pustules, boils.

Furuncle

Boil or abscess of the skin located in the hair follicle.

Carbuncle

Localized infection by staphylococci; larger than a furuncle.

Diplococci

Grow in pairs; spherical; can cause pneumonia.

Streptococci

Bacterial cells that grow in curved lines in chains; can cause abscesses, pustules, boils.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped, spore-producing bacteria.

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped or curved bacteria.

Trichology

The study of hair and its diseases and disorders.

Cuticle

The tough, outer protective covering of the hair.

Hair Follicle

A tube-like depression in the skin that contains the hair root from which the hair will grow.

Hair Bulb

The rounded, club-shaped part of hair located at the end of the hair root.

Dermal Papillae

A small, cone-shaped elevation at the base of the hair follicle filled with blood vessels.

Arrector Pili Muscle

A small involuntary muscle along the hair follicle responsible for goose bumps.

Keratinization

The process of converting living skin cells into hard proteins.

Keratin

A strong, fibrous protein; building block for hair, skin and nails.

Anagen

The period of active hair growth.

Catagen

The period of break down and change of hair growth.

Telogen

Resting phase of hair growth.

Lanugo Hair

Also known as Vellus Hair; soft, white, downy body hair lacking a medulla.

Terminal Hair

Pigmented hair on the body.

Pityriasis

Dandruff; dry type with white, lightweight flakes that cluster or fall loosely.

Pityriasis Steatoides

Seborrheic Dermatitis; severe dandruff with waxy or greasy scales and crusts.

Trichoptilosis

Split Ends; hair ends damaged by heat, weather, or chemical services.

Fragilitas Crinium

Brittle Hair; susceptible to breakage.

Trichorrehexis Nodosa

Knotted Hair; bulges along the shaft; brittleness at the nodes.

Monilethrix

Beaded hair; hair is weak before each node and breaks easily.

Surfactant

Surface-active agent in shampoo that helps dissolve dirt and create lather.

Growth Pattern

Direction the hair grows from the scalp.

Whorl

Circular growth pattern; special considerations when cutting.

Cowlick

Tuft of hair that stands up with a strong directional growth pattern.

Hair Stream

Hair growing in the same direction; creates a natural part.

Natural Distribution

Direction in which the hair moves or falls on the head.

Texture

Diameter/width, quality, feel and arrangement of hair strands; described as fine, medium, or coarse.

Coarse Texture

Hair with a large diameter; feels thick.

Medium Texture

Hair with an average width and thickness.

Fine Texture

Hair with a small diameter that feels thin.

Diameter

Thickness of a hair strand.

Density

Number of hair strands per square inch on the scalp.

Alopecia

Abnormal hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

Patchy hair loss on the scalp or body.

Alopecia Totalis

Severe balding across the entire head.

Alopecia Universalis

Severe balding across the entire body.

Traction Alopecia

Hair loss from repetitive pulling or stretching.

Androgenic Alopecia

Male or female pattern baldness.

Telogen Effluvium

Premature or sudden hair loss.

Postpartum Alopecia

Temporary hair loss after childbirth.

Fungi

Group of organisms including yeasts, molds, and mildews.

Tinea

Ringworm; contagious fungal parasite.

Tinea Barbae

Barber’s Itch; superficial fungal infection affecting skin.

Tinea Capitis

Fungal infection of skin/scalp with red papules at hair follicle openings.

Tinea Favosa

Honeycomb Ringworm; pink scalp with crusts (scutula) that may have odor.

Cranium

Top and sides of the head; consists of six bones.

Parietal Bone

Two bones forming the crown and top sides.

Occipital Bone

Bone at the back of the head above the nape.

Temporal Bone

Two bones on each side forming the lower side of the head.

Frontal Bone

Forms the forehead; extends from the top of the eyes to the curve of the head.

Epicranius

Also known as Occipito-frontalis; broad muscle formed by joining Frontalis and Occipitalis.

Occipitalis

Muscle at the nape of the neck that draws the scalp back.

Epicranial Aponeurosis

Tendon connecting Occipitalis and Frontalis.

Frontalis

Muscle enclosing the forehead and extending into the scalp.

Temporalis

Temple muscle above and in front of the ear; helps in chewing.

Platysma

Muscle from chin to shoulder that lowers the jaw and lip.

Sternocleidomastoideus

Long muscle from back of ear along the neck to the collar bone.

Trapezius

Flat, triangular muscles from the upper back to the back of the neck.

Palm-to-Palm

Haircutting technique with palms facing each other to prevent hair lifting and pushing out of the shears.

Sections / Sectioning

Dividing hair into manageable areas.

Apex

Highest point of the head.

Interior

Inner or internal part.

Parietal Ridge

Largest curve of the head; separates interior from exterior.

Exterior

Outer or external part.

Nape

Section from the occipital bone to the hairline.

Line(s) of Haircutting

Edge or division of a shape; basic lines used in haircutting.

Vertical Lines

Lines that extend straight up from the floor; opposite of horizontal.

Horizontal Line

Line parallel to the floor; opposite of vertical.

Diagonal Lines

Slanting lines between horizontal and vertical.

Weight Line

Concentration of hair creating heaviness.

Parallel Lines

Lines traveling in the same direction at equal distance apart.

Disconnected Lines

Independent lines with a defined break; not normally blended.