Exam skin + body

• Decontamination


  The removal of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface and the removal of visible debris or residue such as dust, hair and skin
• Levels of decontamination

  • Sanitation
  • Disinfection
  • Sterilization
• Sanitation


  The chemical process for reducing the number of disease causing germs to a safe level
• Sterilization


  The process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores
• Proper decontamination prevents the spread of disease caused by exposure to potentially infectious materials
• Decontamination procedures are used throughout the spa and salon to assist in avoiding cross-contamination
• Any tool that comes into contact with blood or bodily fluids must be sterilized
• Sanitation procedures are used to decontaminate work surfaces
• Sterilization of tools must be done with an approved chemosterilant or high pressure steam autoclave according to the manufacturers guidelines
• Single use items


  • Foam core files
  • Credo blades
  • Lancets
  • Sponges
  • Cotton pads
• Bacteria


  One-celled organisms that have both plant and animal characteristics
• Micro-organisms


  Any organism of microscopic or submicroscopic size
• Bacteria can live almost everywhere, including where the conditions are suitable for growth, in decayed matter, on environmental surfaces, on clothing, in body secretions or under the free edge of the nail. Bacteria are so small they can only be seen with a microscope
• Bacterial cell

  Consists of DNA and cytoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane and an outer cell wall
• Categories of bacteria

  • Pathogenic
  • Non-pathogenic
• Pathogenic bacteria


  Harmful microorganisms that cause decay and disease
• Non-pathogenic bacteria


  Harmless bacteria that perform many useful functions
• Shapes of bacteria


  • Round (spherical as in cocci, diplococci, streptococci and staphylococci)
  • Rod-shaped (bacilli)
  • Spirals (spirilla)
• Bacterial life cycle

  1. Growth

  2. Reproduction

  3. Waste product release
• During the active phase of bacterial growth, bacteria grow and reproduce
• Cocci rarely show active motility and are carried mainly in dust, air or the substance in which they settle, while bacilli and spirilla are both capable of movement and use slender, hair-like extensions called flagella to move about
• Bloodborne pathogens


  Disease carrying pathogens that are carried in the body by blood or body fluids
• Cutting living tissue is considered outside of the esthetician's scope of practice. If you accidentally cut a person's skin and continue to use a contaminated tool, it puts you and others in the salon or spa at risk of infection
• Skin types

  • Dry
  • Sensitive
  • Normal
  • Oily
  • Combination
• Normal skin


  Smooth skin with little or no open pores, a good balance of lipids and few or no blemishes
• Dry skin


  Rough texture, flakiness and tightness with no shiny spots
• Sensitive skin


  Reacts to pressure, is often red and thin and may be unable to tolerate some products. It may also be predisposed to dermatitis (rashes and bumps)
• Combination skin


  Has evidence of at least two skin types
• Comedones


  Caused by a build up of sebum and debris in the follicle
• Dehydration


  Caused by a lack of water and is undoubtedly the most common of all skin conditions. Dehydrated skin will not accept products easily
• Hyperpigmentation


  An overproduction of melanin in the skin and can appear as dark spots or patches
• Pustule


  An infected papule that is filled with pus
• Ageing of the face

  Caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic ageing is highly related to chronological age
• Measurable causes of ageing include Trans Epidermal Water Loss, pigmentation of the skin and elasticity and wrinkling
• Estheticians perform a thorough analysis and have a basic understanding of skin conditions and disorders. However, they should never attempt to diagnose skin diseases as this is out of their scope of practice
• Skin disease


  An abnormal condition that makes the skin incapable of carrying on normal functions
• Skin disorder


  A disturbance or dysfunction in the physical function of the skin
• Inflammation


  A condition in which the body reacts to injury, irritation or infection with redness, swelling, heat and pain
• Vascular system


  Consists of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries for the distribution of blood throughout the body
• Lesions


  Structural changes in the tissues caused by damage or injury. Any mark, wound, or abnormality is described as a lesion