Scientific Concepts
35%of exam
Infection ControlEPA DisinfectantsBloodborne PathogensHead AnatomySkin & Hair DisorderspH Basics
Implements and Equipment
10%of exam
Hair Care Services
40%of exam
Facial Hair and Skin Care Services
15%of exam
Quick Facts
- Exam
- Barber Styling Theory
- Body
- NIC
- Items
- 110 (100 scored)
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Pass
- 75% (varies by state)
- Domains
- 4 content areas
- Fee
- $100 to $200
- Format
- Multiple choice, computer-based
Infection Control Ladder
Sanitize -> Disinfect -> Sterilize
Sanitize: reduce germsDisinfect: kill mostSterilize: kill all
Cleaning vs Disinfecting
Cleaning
- Removes visible debris
- Soap and water
- Always comes first
Disinfecting
- Kills most pathogens
- EPA-registered product
- Needs full contact time
Clean before you disinfect
Disinfection Level Picker
- Blood or body fluid→Sterilize or discard(Bloodborne pathogen rule)
- Non-porous metal tool→Disinfect with EPA product(Full contact time)
- Porous item like nail file→Single-use, discard after
- Client skin, minor cut→Clean and apply antiseptic
- Reusable multi-use tool→Clean, then disinfect(Two-step process)
- Visible debris on tool→Clean first, then disinfect(Debris blocks disinfectant)
- Workstation and surfaces→Disinfect between every client
Infection Control Levels
- Sanitation
- Reduces germ numbers
- Disinfection
- Kills most pathogens
- Sterilization
- Kills all microbes
- Antisepsis
- Used on living skin
- Contamination
- Unclean tool contact
- Cross-contamination
- Spreads between clients
pH Scale Memory
0 acidic, 7 neutral, 14 alkaline
Below 7: acidicExactly 7: neutralAbove 7: alkalineHair/skin: 4.5-5.5 pH
Disinfect vs Sterilize
Disinfect
- Kills most microorganisms
- For non-porous tools
- Chemical solution soak
Sterilize
- Kills all microbial life
- Includes bacterial spores
- Needs autoclave heat
Sterile kills everything, no exceptions
Disinfectants & EPA Rules
- EPA-registered
- Required disinfectant type
- Contact time
- Full wet-time required
- Quats
- Common salon disinfectant
- Hospital-grade
- Kills tuberculosis claim
- Immersion
- Tool fully submerged
- 10-minute rule
- Typical EPA contact time
Bones of the Head
Cranium encases brain, face bones shape features
Frontal: foreheadParietal: crownOccipital: back skullTemporal: side, earMandible: lower jaw
Sensory vs Motor Nerves
Sensory
- Carries feeling to brain
- Touch, pain, temperature
Motor
- Carries movement signals out
- Controls muscle contraction
Sensory feels, motor moves
Bloodborne Pathogen Response
- Stop service
- Immediately
- Gloves on
- Before contact
- Clean wound
- With antiseptic
- Bandage area
- Cover completely
- Sharps disposal
- Puncture-proof container
- Disinfect surfaces
- All contact areas
- Discard implement
- Single-use items
Head & Neck Bones
- Cranium
- Bones of skull
- Frontal bone
- Forms the forehead
- Parietal bone
- Crown of head
- Occipital bone
- Back of skull
- Temporal bone
- Above and behind ear
- Mandible
- Lower jawbone
- Maxillae
- Upper jawbones
Head & Face Muscles
- Frontalis
- Raises the eyebrows
- Occipitalis
- Draws scalp backward
- Masseter
- Chewing muscle
- Temporalis
- Raises the lower jaw
- Platysma
- Depresses jaw and neck
- Trapezius
- Moves shoulders and back
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Rotates and turns head
Nerves of the Head
- Fifth cranial
- Trifacial, sensory nerve
- Seventh cranial
- Facial, motor nerve
- Sensory nerves
- Carry feeling to brain
- Motor nerves
- Carry movement to muscles
- Supraorbital nerve
- Forehead and scalp area
- Mental nerve
- Chin and lower lip
Skin Disorders
- Dermatitis
- Skin inflammation
- Psoriasis
- Red, scaly patches
- Eczema
- Itchy, inflamed skin
- Milia
- Small white bumps
- Comedones
- Blackheads and whiteheads
- Rosacea
- Chronic facial redness
Hair & Scalp Disorders
- Alopecia
- Hair loss
- Tinea capitis
- Contagious scalp ringworm
- Pediculosis
- Head lice infestation
- Trichoptilosis
- Split hair ends
- Fragilitas crinium
- Brittle, breaking hair
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Oily, flaking scalp
pH & Chemistry Basics
- pH scale
- Ranges zero to 14
- Neutral
- Exactly pH 7
- Acidic
- Below pH 7
- Alkaline
- Above pH 7
- Hair and skin pH
- About 4.5 to 5.5
- Overexposure
- Risk of chemical burns
Straight Razor vs Clippers
Straight Razor
- Closest possible shave
- Needs honing, stropping
- Higher skill required
Clippers
- Motorized, faster cutting
- Uses interchangeable guards
- Lower injury risk
Razor for precision, clippers for speed
Clipper Guard Picker
- Skin-close fade needed→Guard 0 or bald clipper
- Short, tight cut→Guard 1 or 2
- Medium length top→Guard 3 or 4
- Blend two lengths→Taper or fade technique
- Detail hairline or edges→Trimmer, not clippers
Tools & Implements
- Straight razor
- Fixed or replaceable blade
- Shears
- Haircutting scissors
- Clippers
- Motorized cutting tool
- Trimmers
- Detail edging tool
- Combs
- Section and guide hair
- Thinning shears
- Remove bulk from hair
Clipper & Guard Basics
- Guard 0
- Skin-close cut length
- Guard 1
- Short, close cut
- Guard 2
- Medium-short cut length
- Fade
- Skin to hair blend
- Taper
- Gradual neckline blend
- Blending shears
- Soften harsh cut lines
Equipment Sanitation
- Autoclave
- Steam sterilizes metal tools
- UV cabinet
- Stores disinfected tools
- Wet sanitizer
- Holds disinfectant solution
- Single-use items
- Discard after each client
- Neck strips
- Barrier under the cape
- Clean workstation
- Wipe down between clients
Alkaline vs Acid Wave
Alkaline
- Higher pH level
- Faster, stronger curl
- Processes at room temp
Acid
- Lower pH level
- Gentler, weaker curl
- Often needs added heat
Alkaline is faster, harsher
Service Safety Check
- Open sore or wound→Refuse service, refer out
- Signs of scalp infection→Refuse service immediately
- Client requests chemical over color→Strand test first
- New chemical client→Predisposition test 24-48 hrs(Checks for allergic reaction)
- Metallic salts suspected in hair→Skip chemical service(Can cause damage)
- Healthy hair and scalp→Proceed with consultation
- Uncertain hair condition→Perform strand test
Client Consultation
- Assessment
- Check hair and scalp
- Contraindication
- Reason to refuse service
- Consultation card
- Records client history
- Patch test
- Done 24-48 hours prior
- Strand test
- Checks chemical service result
- Predisposition test
- Checks for allergic reaction
Hydroxide vs Thio Relaxer
Hydroxide
- High pH, strong action
- Permanent bond change
Thio
- Lower pH, gentler action
- Requires neutralizer step
Hydroxide stronger, thio gentler
Haircutting & Tapering
- Shaping
- Overall cut form
- Outlining
- Defines the hairline
- Neck shave
- Cleans the nape
- Taper
- Blends short to long
- Fade
- Skin-close to longer blend
- Layering
- Graduated length sections
- Elevation
- Angle hair is held
Hair Styling Methods
- Wet styling
- Sets damp hair
- Blow-dry styling
- Heat plus airflow
- Thermal styling
- Iron or hot tool
- Natural styling
- Braiding, locks, twists
- Finger waving
- Molds S-shaped waves
Chemical Relaxing
- Hydroxide relaxer
- High pH, fast-acting
- Thio relaxer
- Lower pH, gentler
- Keratin treatment
- Smooths, reduces frizz
- Base cream
- Protects the scalp
- Neutralizer
- Stops relaxer action
Chemical Waving & Texturizing
- Alkaline wave
- Faster, stronger curl
- Acid wave
- Gentler, weaker curl
- Non-thio wave
- No ammonium thioglycolate
- Rod size
- Sets curl diameter
- Processing time
- Watched closely, timed
Hair Coloring & Lightening
- Permanent color
- Alters natural pigment
- Semi-permanent
- Fades, no lift
- Lightener
- Removes natural pigment
- Foiling
- Isolates coloring sections
- Developer volume
- Controls the lift level
- Patch test
- Done 24-48 hours prior
7 Shaving Positions
Position 1 to 7: right to left
Pos 1-2: right sidePos 3: under chinPos 4-5: left sidePos 6: mustachePos 7: chin front
7 Shaving Positions
- Position 1
- Right side of face
- Position 2
- Right side of neck
- Position 3
- Under the chin
- Position 4
- Left side of neck
- Position 5
- Left side of face
- Position 6
- Mustache and upper lip
- Position 7
- Chin and front neck
Razor Care
- Honing
- Sharpens a dull edge
- Stropping
- Aligns and polishes edge
- Draw stroke
- Basic cutting motion
- Free-hand stroke
- Common shave stroke
- Backhand stroke
- Reverse direction stroke
Facial Treatments
- Steam towel
- Softens beard, opens pores
- Massage
- Boosts circulation, relaxes
- Cleansing
- Removes debris and oil
- Extraction
- Removes clogged pores
- Astringent
- Tightens and closes pores
Electrotherapy & Light
- High-frequency
- Germicidal, stimulating current
- Galvanic current
- Pushes product into skin
- Red light
- Stimulates blood circulation
- Blue light
- Targets acne bacteria
- Modalities
- Different current and light types
Common Traps
Disinfect vs Sterilize
Disinfect kills most germs ≠ Sterilize kills everything, spores too
Sanitation vs Disinfection
Sanitation just reduces germs ≠ Disinfection kills most pathogens
Cleaning vs Disinfecting Order
Cleaning removes visible debris ≠ Disinfecting kills remaining germs
Alkaline vs Acid Waves
Alkaline is faster, stronger ≠ Acid is gentler, weaker
Sensory vs Motor Nerves
Sensory nerves carry feeling ≠ Motor nerves carry movement
Fifth vs Seventh Cranial Nerve
Fifth nerve senses face ≠ Seventh nerve moves face
Hydroxide vs Thio Relaxer
Hydroxide is high pH ≠ Thio is lower pH
Last Minute
- 1.Sterilize kills everything; disinfect does not
- 2.Exam has 110 questions, 100 scored
- 3.Exam allows 90 minutes total time
- 4.Scientific Concepts domain equals 35 percent
- 5.Hair Care Services equals 40 percent
- 6.Facial and Skin Care equals 15%
- 7.Implements and Equipment equals 10 percent
- 8.Patch test required 24-48 hours ahead
- 9.Stop service immediately if blood appears
- 10.Seven numbered positions cover a shave
- 11.Fifth nerve senses; seventh nerve moves
- 12.Clean tools first, disinfect them second
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