100 questions · 90 min · 75% to pass
Question 1
What does chemical exfoliation use to remove dead skin cells?
Answer: Acids like AHAs or BHAs
Question 2
Which contagious skin condition requires refusing service?
Answer: Impetigo
Question 3
Why are cotton pads classified as single-use items?
Answer: Porous, cannot be disinfected
Question 4
Always burns, never tans — which Fitzpatrick type?
Answer: Fitzpatrick Type I
Question 5
What information should a cosmetologist gather during a skin care consultation before performing a facial?
Answer: The cosmetologist should gather the client's skin type and concerns, medical history including medications (such as Accutane or retinoids), recent chemical services or treatments, known allergies, and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure and water intake.
Question 6
A client presents with thick, silvery scales on the forehead and scalp that bleed slightly when scratched. What condition does this indicate, and can the cosmetologist service the client?
Answer: These signs indicate psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that causes rapid skin cell turnover and thick scale buildup; the cosmetologist should refer the client to a physician and avoid servicing during an active outbreak.
Question 7
Which layer of the epidermis is responsible for producing new skin cells through mitosis?
Answer: The stratum germinativum, also called the stratum basale, is the deepest epidermal layer where basal cells undergo mitosis to produce new keratinocytes that migrate upward toward the skin surface.
Question 8
How does a client's Fitzpatrick skin type affect the selection of facial treatments and chemical exfoliants?
Answer: Higher Fitzpatrick types (IV–VI) have more reactive melanocytes and are at greater risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so chemical exfoliants must be used at lower concentrations and UV protection is especially critical after treatment.
Question 9
What are the two primary layers of the skin, and what is the main function of each?
Answer: The epidermis is the outermost protective layer that prevents water loss and pathogen entry, while the dermis is the deeper layer containing collagen, elastin, blood vessels, and nerve endings that give skin its strength and sensation.
Question 10
During a facial service, the cosmetologist accidentally nicks the client's skin and blood is present. What is the correct protocol?
Answer: The cosmetologist must stop the service, put on gloves, apply pressure to stop the bleeding, clean the area, and dispose of all contaminated single-use materials in a sealed biohazard bag; all reusable tools must be fully disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant.