Hair Structure, Chemistry & Properties
If a cosmetologist holds a strand of hair with one hand while sliding the other hand’s thumb and forefinger from the end of the strand to the client’s scalp, what component of the hair is being analyzed?
porosity
What are the three growth cycles of human hair?
anagen, catagen, and telogen
Which treatment is recommended for a client with trichorrhexis nodosa?
softening the hair with conditioners
The following are all reasons a cosmetologist should understand hair and scalp disorders and diseases EXCEPT __________.
Understanding the cause of a client's hair loss is necessary to determine which surgical hair replacement techniques to recommend.
The natural nail unit includes which part of the finger?
the tip to the first knuckle
Which of the following groups of people would have the fastest growing nails?
children
Which of the following nail diseases is associated with fungal infections of the feet, or athlete's foot?
tinea pedis
Which of the following best describes a procedure a cosmetologist could use to determine how quickly hair will process during chemical servicing?
Feel a strand of hair to determine the hair’s texture.
Which type of alopecia is defined as hair loss in round or irregularly shaped patches caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles?
alopecia areata
What is a condition that is characterized by brittleness and the formation of nodular swellings along the hair shaft?
trichorrhexis nodosa
All of the following are living portions of hair that are below the skin surface EXCEPT __________.
the arrector pili muscle
What is the slightly thickened layer of skin that lies between the fingertip and the nail plate’s free edge?
the hyponychium
All of the following are considered reasons that cosmetologists must differentiate between healthy and unhealthy nails EXCEPT:
You must be able to identify conditions that are affected by weather conditions and humidity.
What nail disorder is associated with nail surface pitting, roughness, onycholysis, and bed discolorations?
nail psoriasis
Each of the following is a layer of the hair shaft structure EXCEPT ______.
the hair fiber
What is the phase of the hair growth cycle in which the hair can shed?
telogen phase
Which hair disorder causes terminal hair to grow on areas of a woman’s body where terminal hair typically does not grow?
hirsuties
An example of a parasitic infection is ________.
pediculosis capitis
The _______________ is composed mainly of keratin.
onyx
What color is NOT normal for a healthy nail?
reddish
Which of the following is a nail disease associated with the separation of the nail plate and bed due to injury or allergic reactions?
onycholysis
Hair is approximately _____ percent protein.
90
Which of the following statements is true about alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata most often begins in childhood.
What behavior best explains why a client may be dealing with pediculosis capitis?
The client is not being careful about limiting contact with other people’s heads, both directly and indirectly.
What is the cause of pityriasis?
fungal infection
What are the characteristics of a normal, healthy nail?
firm and flexible
How would you recommend clients make their plate grow thicker?
Nothing can make the nail plate grow thicker.
Which of the following is a nail disease associated with bacterial inflammation of the tissues around the nail plate, causing pus, swelling, and redness?
paronychia
The ability of the hair to absorb moisture is hair _____.
porosity
Temporary hair loss experienced at the end of a pregnancy is called _____.
postpartum alopecia
If a client’s hair is brittle and there are circular-shaped lesions on the scalp with red spots at the opening of the hair follicles, the client is likely infected with ______.
tinea capitis
What is a severe type of dandruff characterized by an accumulation of greasy or waxy scalp scales mixed with sebum?
pityriasis steatoides
The ____ is the part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.
free edge
How long does it take for fingernail plates to be fully replaced?
4 to 6 months
Which nail disorder is associated with visible redness, pain, swelling, broken skin, or pus?
infected finger
Which of the following is a situation in which a cosmetologist would allow the hair to cool before styling?
when hydrogen side bonds have been broken by the heat from a curling iron
The following are all causes of hair loss EXCEPT ______.
extreme stress
What is the technical term for brittle hair?
fragilitas crinium
Which part of the living portion of the hair is defined as the structure in the skin or scalp that surrounds the hair root and anchors the hair in the skin?
the hair follicle
The proximal nail fold is the entire flap of skin that covers what?
the matrix
When performing a hand, nail, and skin analysis before a nail service, you need to observe the following EXCEPT__________.
the cleanliness of the skin
Which of the following nail disorders show signs of depressions running across the width of the nail plate due to a slowing production of matrix cells, which causes the nail plate to grow thinner and is usually the result of serious illness or injury?
Beau's lines
Which sentence best describes the medulla?
The medulla is the hair’s pith or core.
In which phase of the hair growth cycle does the follicle canal shrink and detach from the dermal papilla?
catagen phase
A cosmetologist is able provide treatment for __________.
trichoptilosis
Trichoptilosis is the technical term for _____.
split ends
What is the visible part of the matrix that extends from underneath the living skin?
lunula
What is the average rate of nail plate growth in normal adults per month?
1/10 to 1/8 inch per month
Which of the following is a nail disease that requires the attention of a physician?
paronychia
Which of the following best describes how a disulfide bond in human hair is formed?
Sulfur atoms on neighboring cysteine amino acids within polypeptide chains in the hair join.
Which of the following is a reason cosmetologists should understand hair and scalp properties?
Identifying hair growth cycles and the differences between common and uncommon hair loss will help when recommending hair loss treatments to the client.
What is the medical term used to describe dandruff?
pityriasis
What is the technical term for beaded hair?
monilethrix
The nail plate has approximately how many nail cell layers?
100
Which nail grows the slowest?
thumbnail
What nail disorder is associated with damage to the capillaries under the nail?
splinter hemorrhage
Which of the following is true about hair?
Hair growth rate is determined by genetics.
Each of the following is one of the main types of body hair EXCEPT ______.
anagen hair
Which sentence best describes a client with the disorder monilethrix?
The client’s hair has a beaded appearance due to narrowing of the hair shaft.
Which of the following is used to enhance the appearance of an individual?
beauty services
The lateral nail fold is also known as ____.
the sidewall
Stephanie is pregnant. She is talking to her cosmetologist friend, Charlie, about how wonderful her prenatal vitamins have been for her hair and nail growth. What could Charlie tell Stephanie about her nail growth?
Nail growth rates accelerate during pregnancy whether she is taking prenatal vitamins or not.
Which of the following nail disorders shows symptoms of the nail turning a variety of colors, which may indicate surface staining, a systemic disorder, or poor blood circulation?
discolored nail
Which of the following can be a cause of dry hair and dry scalp?
inactive sebaceous glands
The complete loss of all body hair is known as _____.
alopecia universalis
What is a scalp disorder characterized by dry, sulfur-yellow, cup-like crusts on the scalp?
tinea favosa
The scope of practice for cosmetologists and nail technicians can be found in state cosmetology laws or statues under ________________.
Definitions
What part of the natural nail unit protects the tips of the fingers and toes?
nail plate
Which fingernail grows the fastest?
middle fingernail
Which of the following nail disorders displays as dark purplish spots usually due to a small injury to the nail bed?
bruised nail bed
What are the major chemical elements that make up human hair?
carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur
Which of the following conclusions can a cosmetologist make if a client expresses concern about not being able to grow the hair beyond shoulder length?
The anagen phase of the client’s hair growth is shorter than the anagen phase in other people’s hair growth, so the client’s hair will not grow any longer.
What is the most appropriate process to distinguish pityriasis and pediculosis capitis?
Examine the scalp closely to determine whether the foreign matter is loose or attached to hair strands.
How would you explain to someone why a nail tech might not be able to perform some services that a podiatrist might?
If a procedure is listed under a podiatry license, it is prohibited for anyone licensed under cosmetology.
What is the water content of a healthy nail?
15 to 25 percent
How long does it take for toenail plates to be fully replaced?
9 to 12 months
_________________ is also known as athlete's foot.
Tinea pedis
Which component of hair is defined as the thickness or diameter of an individual hair strand?
texture
The following are all true statements about congenital canities EXCEPT:
Canities can be present at birth.
What would result if a cosmetologist treated a client with trichoptilosis by conditioning and moisturizing the hair?
The hair would be softened, but the damage would not be repaired.
essica notices that a few toes on her client's feet seem to have a fungal infection. Jessica suggests that the client start a regimen of regular foot soaks as well as using tea tree oil, and that if she does this, she doesn't need to see a podiatrist. Jessica's manager overhears this conversation and is unhappy with Jessica's response. Why?
Cosmetologists should not provide any medical advice.
Which of the following is not a part of the natural nail unit?
onyx
How would you compare fingernail and toenail growth?
Toenails are thicker than fingernails because the toenail matrix is longer.
Which nail disorder is associated with significant darkening of the fingernails or toenails caused by increased pigment cells?
melanonychia
Which type of hair has the largest diameter and usually requires more processing?
coarse hair
Each of the following hair disorders is characterized by brittle hair EXCEPT ______.
hirsuties
What term refers to an acute, localized bacterial infection of the hair follicle that produces constant pain?
furuncle
The hair, skin, nails, and glands are part of the _____ system.
integumentary
A normal nail plate grows forward from the ____ and extends over the tip of the finger.
matrix
The growth of the nail plate is affected by all of the following EXCEPT __________.
genes
What nail disorder is associated with a dramatically increased nail curvature of the free edge, where it might curl in upon itself?
pincer nail
What is the outermost layer of hair?
hair cuticle
Which of the following is a reason cosmetologists should understand hair and scalp disorders and diseases?
Cosmetologists can better recommend client hair loss treatments if they can identify the differences between common and irregular hair loss.
What are indications that a client is infected with scabies?
The client complains of itchiness and a bumpy rash with blisters on the scalp.
Nail services are governed under ________________.
cosmetology
Why must the hyponychium be treated gently?
If the hyponychium is damaged, an infection under the nail plate is possible.
The scope of practice for cosmetologists and nail technicians can be found in state cosmetology laws or statues under ________________.
Definitions
Which nail disorder is associated with whitish spots of discoloration of the nails and is usually caused by minor injury to the nail matrix?
leukonychia
What are the two parts of a strand of human hair?
the root and the shaft
Which portion of the hair root structure supplies nutrients so that the hair can grow?
the dermal papilla
Which of the following nail diseases is associated with rapidly growing and contagious bacteria that can cause an infection, and in early stages is seen as a yellow-green spot?
pseudomonas aeruginosa