NIC Barber Written (Theory) Exam flashcards

A compensation structure where a barber or stylist earns a percentage of their service sales, and the salon retains the remaining percentage to cover overhead and profit.

• Common in many salons and barbershops.
• Percentage splits vary widely.
• Salon's retained portion covers rent, utilities, supplies, and profit.

Memory trick: Money flows in, then splits. Salon takes its slice.

The ethical obligation to arrive on time for appointments and fulfill commitments as scheduled, demonstrating respect for clients and colleagues.

• Essential for client trust and satisfaction.
• Reflects professionalism and respect for others' time.
• Contributes to efficient salon operations.

Memory trick: Ethics are like a clock, always ticking towards respect and trust.

The adherence to all applicable state, county, and city laws and regulations governing the establishment, operation, and sanitation of a barbershop and the practice of barbering.

• Includes facility, individual, and business permits.
• Sanitation and safety are heavily regulated.
• Requirements vary by jurisdiction but share commonalities.

Memory trick: Licenses are like layers of a cake, building up to compliance.

An individual who operates their own business within a barbershop (e.g., booth renter), bearing financial and legal responsibilities typically covered by an employer for an employee.

• Responsible for self-employment taxes.
• Must carry own insurance (liability, health).
• Purchases own supplies and equipment.
• Sets own hours and prices (within shop guidelines).

Memory trick: Employee vs. Contractor: Who pays for what? Check the 'I' for 'Independent'.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, time spent on activities that are required by the employer and primarily benefit the employer, such as mandatory meetings or training, is generally considered compensable work time.

• Mandatory attendance usually means paid time.
• Employer's benefit is a key factor.
• Applies even if outside regular work hours.

Memory trick: Labor laws weigh time and benefit to decide if it's paid.

The ethical practice of establishing and maintaining clear limits with clients to ensure services are performed safely, legally, and professionally, even when client requests deviate from standards.

• Upholds sanitation and safety regulations.
• Protects the barber's license and reputation.
• Requires clear, polite, and firm communication.
• Prioritizes public health over individual client demands.

Memory trick: Ethics: When a client asks for wrong, the barber must be strong.

A set of procedures barbers follow to identify and mitigate risks associated with client allergies, primarily involving thorough consultation and patch testing.

• Essential for client safety and legal protection.
• Always perform a patch test for new or sensitive clients.
• Document all allergy information and test results.

Memory trick: Safety is like a shield, always testing before the fight.

A financial metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment, typically by comparing the benefit (return) against the cost of the investment.

• ROI = (Net Profit / Cost of Investment) * 100%
• Can be calculated for time savings, increased revenue, etc.
• Helps justify business expenses and new systems.

Memory trick: Payback is like a scale: Weigh the cost against the daily gain.

The ethical and regulatory obligation of a barber to decline service to clients exhibiting signs of contagious diseases or conditions that could be spread through barbering tools or contact.

• Prioritizes public health and safety.
• Mandated by state board regulations.
• Requires discreet communication and referral to medical professionals.

Memory trick: Infection control: Refuse to spread, refer instead.

Methods employed by barbers to build strong, lasting relationships with clients, encouraging repeat visits and positive referrals.

• Personalization and active listening are key.
• Consistency in service quality.
• Recognizing and remembering client preferences.

Memory trick: Client relations: Listen, remember, loyalty blooms.

A complex muscle that encircles the mouth, responsible for controlling lip movements such as closing, puckering, and pressing them against the teeth.

• Known as the 'kissing muscle'.
• Controls lip shape during speech.
• Is a sphincter muscle of the mouth.

Memory trick: The Orbicularis Oris is the 'Oral Ring' that closes your mouth.

The chemical process in hair services, such as permanent waving and chemical relaxing, where disulfide bonds in the hair are broken.

• Breaks disulfide bonds.
• Involves the addition of hydrogen atoms.
• Allows hair to be reshaped.
• Reducing agents are used (e.g., thioglycolates, hydroxides).

Memory trick: Reducing bonds is like cutting a chain to reform it later.

A large, fan-shaped muscle on each side of the head, above and behind the ear, that functions in mastication (chewing) by elevating and retracting the mandible.

• Originates from the temporal fossa.
• Inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible.
• Crucial for jaw closure and clenching.

Memory trick: Jaw closure? Temporalis is a 'tempo'rary relief for chewing!

A styptic pencil uses astringent properties to constrict blood vessels and stop minor bleeding.

• Contains astringent chemicals (e.g., aluminum sulfate).
• Causes vasoconstriction.
• Promotes clot formation.
• Used for minor cuts and nicks.

Memory trick: Styptic Squeezes, Stops Seepage.

A chemical process that uses specific products to destroy harmful organisms (except bacterial spores) on environmental surfaces and non-porous items.

• Destroys most bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Does not kill bacterial spores.
• Required for non-porous tools and surfaces in barbering.
• Must use EPA-registered products.

Memory trick: Clean, Sanitize, Disinfect, Sterilize: Catch Such Disgusting Spores!

The use of highly alkaline solutions (typically pH 9.0-9.6) in permanent waving to swell the hair cuticle and facilitate the penetration of the reducing agent.

• Alkalinity causes the hair shaft to swell and softens the disulfide bonds.
• Higher pH is used for resistant, coarse hair; lower pH for porous, delicate hair.
• Excessive alkalinity can lead to hair damage.

Memory trick: For resistant hair, go 'up' the scale, make it 'alkaline' and 'swell'!

A small, inflamed, pus-filled blister-like lesion on the skin's surface.

• Indicates localized infection.
• Common in conditions like acne or folliculitis.
• Barbers should avoid working on areas with pustules.

Memory trick: My Pustule Wears Fissures.

The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which hair shedding occurs.

• Lasts approximately 2-4 months.
• About 10-15% of scalp hairs are in this phase at any given time.
• Increased duration or proportion of hairs in telogen can lead to hair loss/thinning.

Memory trick: Anagen active, Catagen calm, Telogen tired, then gone.

The hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. High porosity means the cuticle is severely raised or damaged, allowing rapid moisture absorption and loss.

• Cuticle is open/raised.
• Hair absorbs moisture quickly but doesn't retain it.
• Appears dull, dry, brittle, prone to breakage.

Memory trick: Open door, high flow; Closed door, low flow.

Exocrine glands in the skin that secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair.

• Associated with hair follicles.
• Produce sebum.
• Overactivity leads to oily skin and acne.

Memory trick: Sweat (Sudoriferous) is watery, Sebum (Sebaceous) is oily.

The deepest layer of the epidermis, composed of a single layer of cuboidal or columnar cells, including keratinocytes (undergoing mitosis) and melanocytes (producing melanin).

• Also called stratum germinativum.
• Site of new cell production (mitosis).
• Contains melanocytes for pigment production.

Memory trick: Come, Let's Get Sun Burned! (Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Spinosum, Basale)

The process of mixing concentrated disinfectant with water to achieve the correct working strength.

• Follow manufacturer's instructions precisely.
• Incorrect dilution can render disinfectant ineffective or damaging.
• Measured ratios ensure proper germicidal action.

Memory trick: Multiply the part by the whole.

The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead, flattened keratinocytes, which acts as the primary protective barrier of the skin.

• Prevents water loss (Transepidermal Water Loss - TEWL).
• Protects against environmental damage and pathogens.
• Its integrity is crucial for skin health.

Memory trick: Come, Let's Get Sun Burned! Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Spinosum, Basale.

A chemical reaction where water is used to break down chemical bonds, catalyzed by the presence of an acid (low pH). In hair, it can affect peptide bonds.

• Occurs at low pH (acidic conditions).
• Breaks down molecular bonds with water.
• Relevant in some hair treatments, less damaging than alkaline hydrolysis.

Memory trick: Acids are for Hydrolysis, Bases are for Reduction/Swelling.

The multi-step process for decontaminating tools that have come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

• Always clean visible debris first.
• Disinfect with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions for contact time.

Memory trick: Blood on a tool? Clean, Disinfect, Store, and Rule!

A broad muscle that covers the top of the skull, consisting of frontal and occipital bellies.

• Also known as the epicranius.
• Responsible for raising eyebrows and wrinkling the forehead.
• Important for scalp mobility and facial expression.

Memory trick: Occipitofrontalis: The 'Occiput to Front' muscle.

A hair follicle that has become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells.

• Can be open (blackhead) or closed (whitehead).
• A primary lesion of acne.
• Often appears on the face, neck, and back.

Memory trick: Comedone: Clogged pore, a common foe.

A fungal infection of the scalp, commonly known as ringworm of the scalp.

• Symptoms include circular, scaly patches, itching, and hair loss.
• Highly contagious.
• Requires medical treatment; barbers should not service clients with this condition.

Memory trick: Fungal foes form rings on heads.

Methods used to remove or destroy pathogens on surfaces or living tissue, ranging from basic cleaning to complete microbial destruction.

• Sanitation: Reduces microbes.
• Disinfection: Kills most microbes on surfaces.
• Sterilization: Kills all microbes, including spores.

Memory trick: SSS: Sanitation is Simple, Disinfection is Serious, Sterilization is Supreme.

The ability of hair to absorb moisture, determined by the condition of the cuticle layer.

• Low porosity: tightly closed cuticle, resists moisture.
• Moderate porosity: slightly open cuticle, healthy balance.
• High porosity: open/damaged cuticle, absorbs quickly, loses quickly.

Memory trick: LOC-MO-HI: Low, Moderate, High, know your hair's flow!

The duration a disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to effectively kill pathogens, as specified by the manufacturer.

• Crucial for effective infection control.
• Varies by product, but 10 minutes is a common minimum.
• Failure to meet contact time renders disinfection ineffective.

Memory trick: Clean, Contact, Cover: The three 'C's of effective disinfection.

Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit, measured in watts (W). It is calculated as the product of voltage and current.

• Formula: P = V × I (Power = Voltage × Current).
• Watts indicate energy consumption or output.
• Higher wattage means more power used/produced.

Memory trick: Power is like a VIP: Voltage times Intensity gives you Power.

The process of accurately mixing concentrated disinfectant with water according to manufacturer's instructions to achieve the correct strength.

• Follow manufacturer's instructions precisely.
• Ratio of concentrate to water is crucial.
• Incorrect dilution can be ineffective or damaging.
• Use appropriate measuring tools.

Memory trick: Multiply the concentrate by the gallons needed, it's a simple scale!

A highly contagious bacterial skin infection, characterized by red sores that quickly rupture, ooze, and form a yellowish-brown crust, often around the nose and mouth.

• Bacterial (Staphylococcus or Streptococcus).
• Highly contagious, common in children.
• Pus-filled lesions, crusting, around mouth/nose.

Memory trick: FIT: Fungal, Impetigo, Tinea. Watch for spread!

The most rigorous level of decontamination, sterilization completely destroys all microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and bacterial spores, on inanimate objects.

• Highest level of decontamination.
• Eliminates bacterial spores.
• Typically involves autoclaving or dry heat for barbers.

Memory trick: Sanitizers make it Safe, Disinfectants are Deadly, Sterilizers are Super-deadly.

The middle layer of the hair shaft, composed of fibrous protein and melanin pigments, responsible for the hair's strength, elasticity, and natural color.

• Contains melanin (color pigment).
• Accounts for most of hair's weight and strength.
• Target for chemical services (perms, relaxers, color).

Memory trick: Cuticle is the Coat, Cortex is the Core, Medulla is the Middle.

The transitional phase of hair growth, lasting about 2-3 weeks, during which hair growth stops, the outer root sheath shrinks, and the hair detaches from the dermal papilla.

• Follows anagen, precedes telogen.
• Hair growth ceases.
• Follicle begins to shrink.

Memory trick: An Active Cat is Transitioning to Sleep.

A preliminary test performed on a small section of hair to determine how it will react to a chemical service.

• Determines optimal processing time.
• Assesses hair elasticity and porosity.
• Prevents over-processing and damage.
• Mandatory for relaxers, perms, and color.

Memory trick: Pre-Chem Prep: Protect, Test, Apply.

A condition in an electrical circuit where too much current flows, exceeding the circuit's capacity.

• Causes excessive heat, burning smells, and can trip circuit breakers.
• Can damage appliances and lead to fires.
• Often results from too many devices on one circuit or a faulty appliance drawing excessive current.

Memory trick: Overload: Too much current, too much heat.

The outermost layer of the skin, composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, forming a protective barrier.

• Prevents water loss.
• Protects against pathogens and UV radiation.
• Contains melanocytes (pigment).

Memory trick: EDS: Epidermis on top, Dermis in middle, Subcutaneous below.

An abnormal connection between two nodes of an electric circuit that are meant to be at different voltages, resulting in an excessive electric current.

• Occurs when current bypasses normal path.
• Often due to damaged insulation.
• Can cause overheating, sparks, electric shock, fire.

Memory trick: SOF: Short, Overload, Fire. Know your electrical dangers.

Therapeutic effects of high-frequency electrical current on the skin, including germicidal action and increased circulation.

• Produces ozone, which is antibacterial.
• Stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
• Aids in healing and product penetration.
• Used for acneic and sluggish skin.

Memory trick: High-Freq: Germs Flee, Blood Flows Free.

A thick, quadrilateral muscle of mastication, responsible for elevating the mandible (closing the jaw).

• Strongest muscle of mastication.
• Closes the jaw.
• Located in the cheek/jaw area.

Memory trick: Chew with your Mighty Masseter and Tense Temporalis.

A highly alkaline chemical relaxer (also known as lye relaxer) used for permanent hair straightening.

• pH typically ranges from 10 to 14.
• Effectively breaks strong disulfide bonds in extremely curly/coarse hair.
• Requires careful application due to high potency and potential for scalp burns.

Memory trick: Lye for strong, Thio for mild.

The technical term for classic dandruff, characterized by dry, white, uninflamed scales that are easily shed from the scalp and hair.

• Commonly known as dandruff.
• Lacks inflammation and significant itching.
• Caused by accelerated cell turnover.

Memory trick: Simple Pityriasis is just Simple Flakes, no drama.

The energy associated with the random motion of atoms and molecules; commonly known as heat.

• Responsible for temperature changes and phase changes (e.g., water to steam).
• Transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Used in barbershops for steamers, hot towels, and thermal styling tools.

Memory trick: Steam means heat, heat is thermal.

The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which the hair follicle is dormant and the hair shaft is fully keratinized and prepares to shed.

• Lasts approximately 2-4 months.
• Hairs in this phase have a characteristic white bulb at the root when shed.
• Usually, 10-15% of scalp hairs are in this phase at any given time.

Memory trick: A Cat Tells Everything: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, Exogen!

Electric current that flows in only one direction, typically from the positive to the negative terminal of a power source.

• Produced by batteries, solar cells, and rectifiers.
• Used in electronic devices, low-voltage applications.
• Voltage is constant or varies smoothly, does not reverse direction.

Memory trick: DC: Direct and Consistent, always 'Down' one path!

A common dilution ratio meaning 1 part concentrate is mixed with 9 parts water to create 10 total parts of solution.

• Total parts = 1 (concentrate) + 9 (water) = 10.
• Concentrate amount = Total Volume / 10.
• Always follow manufacturer's instructions.
• 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces.

Memory trick: Divide by Ten for the Concentrated Gem.

The resting phase of hair growth, characterized by the cessation of growth and the formation of a club-shaped root before shedding.

• Lasts typically 2-4 months.
• Hair is fully formed and detached from the dermal papilla.
• Club-shaped root is a key identifier.
• Normal shedding occurs during this phase.

Memory trick: ACT Fast: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen.

Immediate actions taken when a person experiences an electrical shock to ensure safety and assess well-being.

• Remove power source first.
• Assess victim for injury.
• Seek medical attention if needed.
• Report incident.

Memory trick: Power Off, Check Client, Report, Replace.

The formula used to calculate the power consumed by an electrical appliance, expressed in watts.

• Power (P) is measured in watts (W).
• Voltage (V) is measured in volts (V).
• Current (I) is measured in amperes (A) or amps.
• Formula: P = V x I.

Memory trick: Power is a 'VIP' (Volts x Amps) in the electrical world!

A general term for various types of skin inflammation, often characterized by redness, itching, dryness, and sometimes blistering or oozing.

• Commonly linked to allergies or irritants.
• Symptoms include itching, rash, dry skin, and sometimes vesicles.
• Barbers should avoid service on affected areas due to inflammation and potential for infection.

Memory trick: Itchy, blistery, allergic skin? Think Eczema, it's a 'Zema' (a mess)!

The act of cleaning hands with soap and water to remove microorganisms, dirt, and chemicals.

• Essential for infection control in barbering.
• Should be performed before and after each client.
• Reduces the spread of pathogens significantly.

Memory trick: Clean hands keep clients healthy.

A circular muscle surrounding the eye that controls the closing of the eyelids.

• Responsible for blinking, squinting, and winking.
• Part of the muscles of facial expression.
• Important for protecting the eye.

Memory trick: O-C-P-F: Ocular Close, Corrugate Frown, Pro Nose, Frontal Lift.

A measure of acidity or alkalinity where solutions have a pH greater than 7.

• Strongly alkaline solutions (pH 10+) swell hair and can break disulfide bonds.
• Used in chemical depilatories and relaxers.
• Can be damaging if used incorrectly due to high reactivity.

Memory trick: Alkaline attacks hair's bonds.

A product formulated to have a pH level that closely matches the natural acidity of healthy hair and skin.

• Natural hair/skin pH is typically 4.5-6.0 (acidic).
• Helps prevent damage to cuticle and skin barrier.
• Not necessarily a pH of exactly 7 (neutral).

Memory trick: Balanced pH: Hair and Skin's Happy Harmony.

The process of eliminating most pathogenic microorganisms from non-porous tools through cleaning and chemical immersion.

• Always clean tools before disinfecting.
• Use an EPA-registered disinfectant.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions for contact time.

Memory trick: Clean, Soak, Store: Keep tools pristine!

The process of reducing the concentration of a solute in a solution, usually by adding more solvent.

• Essential for safety and effectiveness of many salon chemicals.
• Always follow manufacturer's instructions for dilution ratios.
• Affects the strength and potency of the solution.

Memory trick: Diluting is like watering down juice: less concentrated, safer to use!

Non-oxidative hair colors designed to deposit temporary color on the hair's surface and outer cuticle, typically having a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

• pH 6.0-7.5.
• No developer/peroxide needed.
• Fades gradually, no lift.

Memory trick: ACID closes, ALKALI opens. Know your color pH.