VTCT Level 2 Hairdressing Revision Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering health and safety legislation, hygiene and sterilisation methods, client consultation, hair and skin anatomy, hair disorders, and shampooing and conditioning principles for VTCT Level 2 Hairdressing.

Hazard

Anything with the potential to cause harm, such as a wet floor, trailing wire, or chemical.

Risk

The likelihood (chance) of a hazard actually causing harm, and how serious that harm could be.

Risk assessment

A careful check of what could cause harm in the workplace and what precautions are needed.

Competent person

Someone with the training, knowledge, and experience to carry out a task safely, such as a first aider or a PAT tester.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA)

The main UK health and safety law requiring employers to provide a safe workplace, safe equipment, training, and information, while employees take reasonable care of themselves and others.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

Regulations requiring hazardous substances to be risk-assessed, stored, handled, used, and disposed of safely according to the safety data sheet and manufacturer's instructions.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

Regulations stating that work equipment must be suitable, safely maintained, and only operated by people who are trained.

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)

Legislation requiring serious work-related injuries, specific diseases such as occupational dermatitis, and dangerous occurrences to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Regulations governing the working environment, including lighting, ventilation, cleanliness, and maintaining a reasonable minimum indoor temperature of $16^\circ\text{C}$.

Fire triangle

The three components required for a fire to burn: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

Sterilisation

The complete destruction of ALL micro-organisms, including their spores.

Disinfection

A process that destroys or reduces most micro-organisms, but not necessarily bacterial spores.

Sanitisation / antiseptic

The reduction of micro-organisms to a safe level; antiseptics are specifically formulated for use on the skin.

Cross-infection

Passing an infection from one person to another, either directly (person-to-person) or indirectly via contaminated tools, towels, or gowns.

Autoclave

A true method of sterilisation that uses steam under pressure at approximately $121\text{--}134^\circ\text{C}$ for metal tools that can withstand heat.

UV cabinet

An ultraviolet light unit used to store already-cleaned tools hygienically by treating only the surfaces directly facing the light.

Hair texture

The thickness or diameter of each individual hair strand, classified as fine, medium, or coarse.

Hair density

The number of hairs per square centimetre of the scalp, categorized as sparse (thin), medium, or abundant (thick).

Porosity

The hair's ability to absorb moisture or liquids, determined by whether the cuticle scales are raised (porous) or smooth and closed (non-porous).

Elasticity

The hair's ability to stretch and return to its original length without breaking, reflecting the internal strength of the cortex.

Incompatibility test

A test where a hair cutting is placed in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to check for the presence of metallic salts.

Allergy alert test (Skin test)

The application of a small amount of colour product behind the ear or inner elbow $48\,\text{hours}$ prior to chemical colouring to identify potential allergic reactions.

Keratin

The hard fibrous protein that forms the structure of hair, composed of amino acids joined together in polypeptide chains.

COHNS

The five essential chemical elements that make up human hair: Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur.

Cuticle

The outer protective layer of the hair shaft made of overlapping, transparent hard keratin scales pointing from root to tip.

Cortex

The middle layer and main bulk of the hair shaft, providing strength and elasticity while housing natural melanin pigments and structural bonds.

Medulla

The central core of the hair shaft composed of loosely packed cells and air spaces; it has no known function and can be absent in fine hair.

Eumelanin

The type of natural melanin pigment that creates black and brown colours in hair.

Pheomelanin

The type of natural melanin pigment that creates red and yellow colours in hair.

Alpha keratin

Hair keratin in its natural, unstretched state.

Beta keratin

Hair keratin in its stretched state, such as when wet or set.

Disulphide bonds

Strong, permanent cross-links in the hair cortex formed by sulphur in cysteine/cystine, broken only by chemical action.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak, physical cross-links in hair that are broken temporarily by water and heat during styling and reformed when dry.

Salt bonds

Weak, physical cross-links in the hair cortex that are temporarily broken by changes in pH (acids and alkalis).

Dermal papilla

A structure at the base of the hair follicle containing a rich blood supply that delivers oxygen and nutrients for hair cell production.

Germinal matrix

The region of rapidly dividing cells surrounding the dermal papilla where new hair cells are formed.

Arrector pili muscle

A tiny involuntary muscle attached to the hair follicle that contracts in response to cold or fear, pulling the hair upright to form goosebumps.

Sebaceous gland

A gland attached to the hair follicle that secretes sebum to lubricate the hair and skin and contribute to the acid mantle.

Anagen

The active growing phase of the hair growth cycle, lasting approximately $2\text{--}7\,\text{years}$, during which about $85\%$ of scalp hair is found.

Catagen

The short transitional stage of the hair growth cycle lasting $2\text{--}3\,\text{weeks}$, where cell division stops, the follicle shrinks, and the hair detaches from the dermal papilla.

Telogen

The resting phase of the hair growth cycle lasting about $3\,\text{months}$, during which the old hair is shed before a new hair cycle begins.

Lanugo hair

Fine, soft, unpigmented hair that covers a foetus and is usually shed before birth.

Vellus hair

Fine, short, soft, downy hair found over most areas of the human body.

Terminal hair

Longer, coarser, pigmented hair found on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and underarms.

Acid mantle

A natural protective film composed of sebum and sweat on the surface of the skin and hair, with an acidic pH of about $4.5\text{--}5.5$.

Epidermis

The outermost, non-vascular protective layer of the skin composed of five distinct cellular strata.

Stratum corneum

The outermost horny layer of the epidermis, formed of flat, dead, keratinised cells that are continuously shed through desquamation.

Stratum lucidum

The clear layer of flattened epidermal cells found exclusively on thick skin surfaces, specifically the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Stratum germinativum

The basal layer of the epidermis where new cells are actively generated via mitosis and where melanin-producing melanocytes reside.

Desquamation

The natural biological process of shedding dead keratinised skin cells from the stratum corneum.

Dermis

The thick, vascular, living middle layer of the skin containing collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands.

Subcutaneous layer

The lowest skin layer (hypodermis) composed of adipose (fat) and connective tissue that insulates the body and cushions internal organs.

Contra-indication

A condition or circumstance that either prevents a hair service from taking place or requires the service to be adapted.

Impetigo

A highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus, presenting as red spots that blister, weep, and dry into honey-coloured crusts.

Folliculitis

A bacterial infection of the hair follicles characterised by small, red, pus-filled spots (pustules) around follicle openings.

Furuncle

A deep bacterial infection of an individual hair follicle producing a painful, raised, red lump with a pus-filled head (a boil).

Carbuncle

A severe bacterial skin infection formed by a cluster or grouping of multiple boils (furuncles).

Herpes simplex

A contagious viral infection causing fluid-filled blisters (cold sores), typically appearing around the lips and nostrils.

Herpes zoster

A painful viral condition (shingles) caused by the chickenpox virus that presents as a rash of blisters along a nerve pathway.

Verruca vulgaris

A raised, rough skin growth (common wart) caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), commonly found on hands.

Tinea capitis

A contagious fungal infection of the scalp (ringworm) causing round, red, scaly patches with broken, stubbly hairs and a grey appearance.

Pediculosis capitis

An infestation of the scalp with head lice, which feed on blood and glue their eggs (nits) to hair shafts near the scalp.

Scabies

A highly contagious parasitic infestation caused by the itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) burrowing into the skin, causing intense itching and grey burrow lines.

Pityriasis capitis

A non-infectious scalp condition (dandruff) characterised by excessive shedding of small, dry, white or grey epidermal skin flakes.

Seborrhoea

A non-infectious scalp disorder caused by overactivity of the sebaceous glands, leading to an abnormally oily scalp and greasy hair.

Psoriasis

A non-infectious autoimmune skin condition causing thick, red patches covered with silvery scales that can bleed if picked or scratched.

Contact dermatitis

An occupational inflammatory skin condition triggered by exposure to irritants or allergens, resulting in red, dry, itchy, and cracked skin.

Sebaceous cyst (steatoma)

A non-infectious, smooth subcutaneous swelling caused by a blockage within a sebaceous gland.

Alopecia areata

A sudden hair loss condition marked by distinct, smooth, round or oval bald patches on the scalp, frequently linked to shock or stress.

Traction alopecia

Hair loss caused by continuous physical strain, pulling, or mechanical tension on hair roots from tight braids, extensions, or ponytails.

Cicatricial alopecia

Permanent scarring hair loss resulting from permanent destruction of hair follicles by physical trauma, burns, or deep disease.

Fragilitas crinium

The technical term for split ends, where the hair ends fray and split into multiple strands as a result of physical or chemical trauma.

Trichorrhexis nodosa

A hair shaft condition where small bead-like nodules develop along the strand due to broken cuticles, causing the hair to snap easily.

Monilethrix

A rare inherited condition known as beaded hair, where the hair shaft alternates between thick nodes and narrow constrictions that fracture readily.

Canities

The technical term for grey or white hair resulting from a gradual loss of natural melanin pigment produced by melanocytes.

Surfactant (detergent)

The primary cleansing ingredient in shampoos that lowers water surface tension and emulsifies oils and dirt so they rinse away cleanly.

Hydrophilic head

The water-loving end of a shampoo detergent molecule that remains attracted to water during the cleansing process.

Hydrophobic tail

The water-hating, lipophilic end of a shampoo detergent molecule that attaches directly to oil, grease, and dirt particles.

Effleurage

A smooth, gentle, stroking massage manipulation executed using the palms of the hands to distribute product and soothe the scalp.

Rotary massage

Small, firm, circular massage movements performed using the pads of the fingers to loosen dirt and excess sebum during shampooing.

Friction massage

Quick, light, rubbing massage movements carried out using the pads of the fingertips to stimulate scalp circulation during shampooing.

Petrissage

Slow, deep, kneading massage movements applied to the scalp using the pads of the fingers during conditioning to stimulate blood flow.

Surface conditioner

An acidic hair treatment that coats and smooths the outer cuticle scales, reducing static electricity and adding shine.

Penetrating conditioner

An intensive treatment containing small molecules like hydrolysed protein that travel past the cuticle into the cortex to rebuild damaged hair.