Cosmetology State Board Prep

1. What level of decontamination destroys bacteria and viruses but not spores?

Disinfection.

2. Which agency regulates disinfectants used in salons?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

3. When should hands be washed during a service?

Before and after each service, and after contact with blood or body fluids.

4. What is the correct procedure when blood exposure occurs?

Stop service, put on gloves, clean the injury, apply antiseptic and bandage, clean and disinfect workstation and tools, discard contaminated items, and wash hands.

5. Which disinfectant is safest for metal implements?

EPA-registered hospital disinfectants designed for implements, ensuring they are non-corrosive.

6. How long must implements remain immersed in disinfectant?

As per the manufacturer's instructions on the product label (usually 10 minutes).

7. What does MSDS/SDS stand for?

Material Safety Data Sheet / Safety Data Sheet.

8. What PPE should be worn when handling chemicals?

Gloves, safety glasses/goggles, and sometimes masks or aprons.

9. What is cross-contamination?

The transfer of harmful bacteria from one surface to another.

10. How should clean and dirty tools be stored?

Clean tools must be stored in a clean, closed, dry container or drawer. Dirty tools must be kept separate, ideally in a labeled receptacle for soiled items.

11. When should a towel be discarded?

After each use.

12. What is universal precaution?

An approach to infection control where all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if they are known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.

13. How should linens be laundered?

In hot water with detergent and bleach (if color-safe), followed by complete drying.

14. What type of water prevents mineral buildup?

Distilled or deionized water.

15. What is the purpose of ventilation?

To remove chemical fumes and odors from the air, ensuring a healthy environment.

16. What is the correct way to dispose of sharps?

In a puncture-proof, labeled sharps container.

17. When is a client considered contagious?

When they show symptoms of a communicable disease, or if they have an active infection that can be transmitted.

18. What cleaning method removes visible debris but not bacteria?

Cleaning (e.g., washing with soap and water).

19. What is the difference between sanitation and sterilization?

Sanitation removes visible debris and reduces pathogens; sterilization destroys all microbial life, including spores.

20. What should you do if a client has head lice?

Refuse service and refer them to a medical professional for treatment.

1. What is the purpose of a client consultation?

To determine the client's needs, desires, and any contraindications, ensuring a safe and satisfactory service.

2. What information must be recorded on a client record card?

Client's personal details, service history, product usage, allergies, contraindications, and patch test results.

3. What is contraindication?

A condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable or potentially harmful.

4. How should sensitive client information be handled?

Confidentiality must be maintained; information should be kept secure and only accessed by authorized personnel.

5. How do you determine face shape?

By visually analyzing the client's facial features and bone structure, typically in relation to categories like oval, round, square, heart, etc.

6. What is the importance of analyzing hair texture?

It helps determine product choice, processing times, and styling techniques for optimal results.

7. When should a patch test be performed?

24-48 hours prior to any chemical service involving color or other potential allergens.

8. What indicates elasticity problems?

Hair that stretches excessively and does not return to its original state, or breaks easily when wet.

9. How should clients with allergies be handled?

Identify specific allergens, avoid products containing them, perform patch tests, and record all information on the client card.

10. Why is active listening important?

It ensures clear communication, helps understand client needs, reduces misunderstandings, and builds trust.

11. What is retail recommendation based on?

The client's hair/skin/nail type, service results, and specific home care needs.

12. What is professional demeanor?

Conduct, attitude, and appearance that conveys professionalism, respect, and competence.

13. How do you handle an unhappy client?

Listen actively, apologize sincerely, offer a solution or redo the service, and ensure resolution.

14. What is the consultation triangle?

A three-part approach to consultation involving analysis of hair/skin/nails, lifestyle needs, and desired results.

15. How should follow-up services be recommended?

Based on the client's hair/skin/nail growth cycle, service longevity, and seasonal needs.

1. What skin type lacks oil?

Dry skin.

2. What follicles are affected during electrolysis?

Individual hair follicles are targeted and destroyed by an electric current.

3. What is the purpose of toner?

To balance the skin's pH, remove any remaining cleanser, and prepare the skin for treatment products.

4. Contraindications for waxing include which skin condition?

Active acne, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, or highly sensitive skin, especially if using certain medications like retinoids.

5. What temperature should hard wax be?

Warm enough to spread smoothly but not so hot as to burn the skin. Test on your wrist.

6. What is the function of cleansers?

To remove makeup, dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin.

7. What direction should wax be applied?

Hard wax is applied against the direction of hair growth and removed against the direction of hair growth. Soft wax is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed against the direction of hair growth.

8. Which makeup product neutralizes discoloration?

Color correctors (e.g., green for redness, peach/orange for blue/purple undertones).

9. What is sebum?

An oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the skin and hair.

10. What skin condition includes clogged pores?

Acne.

1. What nail layer protects the nail matrix?

The eponychium (cuticle).

2. What causes onycholysis?

Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, often due to trauma, allergic reactions, or certain systemic conditions.

3. What is the proper filing direction?

From the sides to the center of the free edge, ideally in one direction to prevent splitting.

4. What shape strengthens weak nails?

Square or squoval shapes with slightly rounded corners tend to be stronger than pointed or extreme oval shapes.

5. What is the function of the cuticle?

To protect the nail matrix from infection.

6. What tool pushes back cuticles?

A metal pusher or orangewood stick.

7. What disinfectant is safe for foot spas?

EPA-registered hospital disinfectants labeled as effective against pseudomonas aeruginosa, specifically for whirlpool foot spas.

8. What condition prohibits nail services?

Any active infection (fungal, bacterial), inflammation, swelling, or open wounds on the nails or surrounding skin.

9. What is fungal infection?

An infection caused by fungi, often characterized by discoloration, thickening, or crumbling of the nail plate.

10. Why are single-use files recommended?

To prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi, and viruses from one client to another.

1. Who regulates cosmetology licenses?

State boards of cosmetology or equivalent regulatory agencies.

2. What is scope of practice?

The procedures, actions, and processes that a licensee is permitted to perform under the terms of their professional license.

3. What happens if you work without a license?

It is illegal, can result in fines, legal action, and potential inability to obtain a license in the future.

4. What is professional liability?

The legal responsibility that a professional holds for any harm or damages caused to clients due to negligence or professional error.

5. What does ethics mean?

A set of moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior, particularly in their professional conduct.

6. When must licenses be displayed?

At all times in a prominent and visible location within the salon/spa.

7. What is informed consent?

Permission granted in full knowledge of the possible consequences, typically given by a client to a service provider for treatment or procedure.

8. Why is continuing education important?

To stay updated with new techniques, products, safety standards, and regulations, and often required for license renewal.

9. What laws protect consumers?

Consumer protection laws, licensing regulations, and health and safety codes.

10. What should you do if you witness unsafe practices?

Report them to the salon management and, if necessary, to the state board of cosmetology or relevant regulatory agency.

1. What level lifts underlying pigment?

Any level of oxidative hair color or lightener will lift underlying pigment, exposing warm tones.

2. What volume developer lifts 2 levels?

20 volume developer.

3. What does porosity affect?

It affects the hair's ability to absorb moisture and chemicals, meaning it influences color uptake, processing time, and product effectiveness.

4. What is complementary color?

Colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel, used to neutralize unwanted tones (e.g., green neutralizes red).

5. When is pre-lightening required?

When lifting hair more than 2-3 levels, achieving certain blondes, or when applying a fashion shade that requires a specific underlying pigment level.

6. What causes hot roots?

When new growth (at the scalp) processes faster and lighter/brighter than the rest of the hair, often due to body heat or applying color only to the roots first.

7. What is tonal value?

Refers to the warmth or coolness of a color (e.g., ash, gold, red, violet).

8. What is the purpose of a filler?

To equalize porosity and/or replace missing primary colors in decolorized hair to achieve a desired color result.

9. What melanin contributes black tones?

Eumelanin.

10. What is a patch test?

A test performed 24-48 hours prior to a chemical service to check for potential allergic reactions.

11. What does alkalinity do to the cuticle?

It causes the cuticle to swell and open, allowing color molecules to penetrate the cortex.

12. What is double processing?

A two-step coloring process involving lightening the hair first (decolorization) and then applying a toner or desired hair color to achieve the final shade.

13. What lightener is fastest?

Powder lighteners tend to be the fastest and most aggressive.

14. What causes banding?

Uneven color results due to overlapping color onto previously colored hair, or inconsistent application leading to sections that are lighter or darker than others.

15. What is the H2O2 role in developer?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acts as an oxidizing agent, which, when mixed with hair color or lightener, initiates the chemical process of lightening and/or depositing color.

1. What chemical breaks disulfide bonds?

Thioglycolate (in perms) and hydroxide (in relaxers).

2. What determines curl size?

The size of the perm rod or tool used.

3. What pH range is alkaline perm?

Typically between 9.0 and 9.6.

4. What hair type should not be relaxed?

Hair that is severely damaged, excessively porous, bleached, or already chemically relaxed to avoid overprocessing and breakage.

5. What neutralizer does?

It stops the chemical process of the perm or relaxer, rebuilds the disulfide bonds in their new shape, and rebalances the hair's pH.

6. Difference between thio and hydroxide relaxers?

Thio relaxers use ammonium thioglycolate to break disulfide bonds and allow them to be reformed. Hydroxide relaxers use a strong alkali (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to permanently break disulfide bonds, which cannot be reformed.

7. What causes underprocessing?

Insufficient processing time, weak perm solution, hair resistant to chemicals, or improper rod size for the desired curl.

8. What test curl shows readiness?

An S-shaped curl pattern when unwound, that springs back firmly.

9. Why use protective base?

To protect the client's scalp and skin from chemical burns during relaxer application, especially with lye relaxers.

10. What happens during reforming stage?

The neutralizer rebuilds the disulfide bonds in their new, reshaped configuration, locking in the curl or straightness.

1. What condition causes flakes?

Dandruff (Pityriasis capitis simplex) or other dry scalp conditions.

2. What gland produces sebum?

Sebaceous glands.

3. What massage improves circulation?

Scalp massage, particularly effleurage and petrissage movements.

4. What scalp condition is fungal?

Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp).

5. What shampoo balances oil?

Balancing shampoos or clarifying shampoos.

1. What is elevation?

The degree to which hair is lifted or held from the head during cutting.

2. What cutting line creates weight?

A horizontal cutting line.

3. What tool texturizes?

Texturizing shears (also known as thinning shears) or a razor.

4. What is finger angle?

The angle at which the fingers are held when cutting hair, which determines the line and shape of the haircut.

5. What shape adds length?

A long, layered haircut can create the illusion of length.