Free Barber License Exam Flashcards

The lowest level of infection control. Reduces the number of pathogens and germs on a surface or tool to a safe level but does not kill them all. Typically done with soap and water.

The mid-level of infection control. Kills most (but not all) disease-causing organisms on non-porous surfaces and tools using an EPA-registered chemical. Does not kill bacterial spores.

The highest level of infection control. Destroys ALL microbial life, including bacterial spores. Requires an autoclave (moist heat under pressure); chemical disinfectants alone cannot sterilize.

State boards require barbershops to use only disinfectants registered with the EPA and labeled bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal (such as quaternary ammonium compounds/quats). Always follow the manufacturer's label directions.

The full amount of time a tool must stay wet or fully immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill pathogens, per the product label. Removing a tool early means disinfection is incomplete.

If a client is cut: stop the service immediately, put on clean gloves, clean the wound with an antiseptic, apply a bandage, and disinfect or discard any tool/surface that contacted blood before resuming.

Single-use or blood-contaminated sharp implements (razor blades, lancets) must go into a labeled, puncture-proof sharps container. Never place them back in a standard trash bin or reuse them.

The oval, bony case that protects the brain. Made of 8 bones, including the frontal (forehead), parietal (crown), occipital (back of skull), and temporal (above/behind ear) bones.

Mandible: the lower jawbone, the largest and strongest bone of the face. Maxillae: the two bones that form the upper jaw.

Both are parts of the epicranius muscle. Frontalis raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead. Occipitalis draws the scalp backward.

Both are chewing (mastication) muscles. The masseter closes the jaw; the temporalis raises the lower jaw and draws it backward.

The chief SENSORY nerve of the face. Carries feeling — touch, pain, temperature — to the brain. Also called the trigeminal nerve.

The chief MOTOR nerve of the face. Controls the muscles responsible for facial expression.

Sensory nerves carry impulses (feeling) FROM the sense organs TO the brain. Motor nerves carry impulses FROM the brain TO the muscles, producing movement.

Dermatitis: general inflammatory skin condition. Psoriasis: red patches covered with silvery-white scales, often on the scalp, elbows, or knees. Eczema: itchy, inflamed, often red and scaly skin.

Milia: small, hard, whitish benign bumps from trapped keratin. Comedones: blackheads (open) and whiteheads (closed) from clogged follicles. Rosacea: chronic condition causing facial redness.

Alopecia: hair loss. Tinea capitis: contagious fungal (ringworm) infection of the scalp — refuse service. Pediculosis capitis: head lice infestation, also contagious — refuse service.

The pH scale runs 0-14: below 7 is acidic, exactly 7 is neutral (pure water), above 7 is alkaline. Healthy hair and skin sit in the acidic range, about pH 4.5 to 5.5.

Straight razor: fixed or replaceable blade, gives the closest shave, requires honing and stropping plus more skill. Clippers: motorized cutting tool used with interchangeable guards for faster, lower-risk cutting.

Guards attach over the clipper blade to control cutting length. Lower numbers (Guard 0-1) leave hair very short or skin-close; higher numbers (Guard 3-4 and up) leave hair progressively longer.

A fade blends hair from skin-close at the bottom to longer hair above with no visible line. A taper is a gradual blend from short to longer hair, typically less extreme and less close than a fade.

A device that uses steam under pressure to STERILIZE metal implements, killing all microbial life including spores. Required for tools that penetrate skin or contact blood.

Wet sanitizer: a covered container holding an EPA-registered disinfectant solution for full immersion of tools. UV (dry) cabinet: stores already-disinfected tools; it does NOT disinfect them.

A test applying a small amount of chemical product, such as color, to skin behind the ear or on the inner elbow, performed 24-48 hours before a chemical service to check for an allergic reaction.

Applying a chemical product (relaxer, color, or wave) to a small strand of hair before the full service to check processing time, color result, or curl development.

A condition — such as an open sore, scalp infection, or contagious disorder — that means a service should NOT be performed. The barber must refuse service and, if appropriate, refer the client to a physician.

A haircutting technique that gradually blends hair from very short at the hairline or nape to longer lengths above, with no harsh demarcation line.

An extreme taper that blends hair from skin-close (bald) at the bottom to a longer length at the top, used in styles such as the low, mid, and high fade.

The angle at which a subsection of hair is held (lifted) away from the head while cutting. Higher elevation removes more weight and builds graduation or layers.

Defining the perimeter of a haircut — hairline, sideburns, neckline — with clippers, trimmers, or a razor to create a clean, finished edge.

A cutting technique that creates graduated sections of different lengths throughout the hair to add movement, volume, and shape.

Styling hair using heated tools such as a curling iron, flat iron, or thermal/hot comb to temporarily change hair's shape through heat rather than chemicals.

A styling technique that molds wet hair into S-shaped waves using the fingers and a comb, without heat or chemicals.

A high-pH (strongly alkaline) chemical relaxer that permanently straightens curly hair by breaking disulfide bonds. Fast-acting and requires careful scalp protection.

A relaxer based on ammonium thioglycolate with a lower pH than hydroxide relaxers. Works more gently but requires a separate neutralizing step to re-harden the hair.

A protective cream applied to the scalp and hairline before a relaxer service to shield the skin from chemical irritation or burns.

A product applied after a chemical relaxer or wave service to stop the chemical action and re-harden (re-bond) the hair in its new straightened or curled shape.

A permanent wave with a higher pH that processes faster at room temperature, without added heat, and produces a firmer, stronger curl.

A permanent wave with a lower pH than alkaline waves. Processes more slowly, often needs added heat, and produces a gentler, looser curl with less hair damage.

Smaller perm rods produce tighter curls; larger rods produce looser waves. Processing time must be watched closely and checked with test curls to avoid over- or under-processing.

A coloring product mixed with a developer (oxidizing agent) that penetrates the hair shaft and permanently alters natural pigment. New growth requires periodic retouching.

A chemical product that diffuses and disperses natural or artificial pigment from the hair, lifting it to a lighter shade. Usually mixed with a developer.

Hydrogen peroxide developer strength controls the degree of lift. Lower volumes (10-20) deposit color with minimal lift; higher volumes (30-40) lighten hair more.

A standard shave is broken into 7 numbered positions to systematically cover the whole face and neck: right side, right neck, under chin, left neck, left side, mustache/upper lip, and chin/front neck.

The first shaving pass generally follows the direction of hair growth (with the grain) to reduce irritation. Going against the grain gives a closer shave but raises the risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

The process of sharpening a dull straight razor blade by grinding it against a hone (whetstone) to restore a sharp edge.

The process of aligning and polishing (not sharpening) a razor's edge by drawing it across a leather strop before each use, done after honing.

A hot, moist towel applied to the face to soften the beard, open pores, and relax the client before shaving, cleansing, or extractions.

Extraction removes debris from clogged pores (comedones). An astringent is then applied afterward to tighten and close pores and remove excess oil.

An electrotherapy modality that produces a germicidal, oscillating current used to stimulate circulation, tone skin, and help clear acne-causing bacteria during facials.