ESTHETICIAN STATE BOARD EXAM COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE NEWEST 2026 | ESTHETICS STATE BOARD + NIC WRITTEN & PRACTICAL EXAM REVIEW |200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED RATIONALES | A+ STUDY RESOURCES 2026

ESTHETICIAN STATE BOARD EXAM COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE NEWEST 2026 | ESTHETICS
STATE BOARD + NIC WRITTEN & PRACTICAL
EXAM REVIEW |200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED RATIONALES | A+ STUDY
RESOURCES 2026
QUESTION
What is disincrustation?
A) Cataphoresis
B) Anaphoresis
C) Iontophoresis
D) Thermolysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disincrustation is the process of using anaphoresis (negative galvanic current)
to soften and emulsify sebum and blackheads in the follicles, preparing the skin for
extractions.

QUESTION
What effect does silicone in sunscreen have on the skin?
A) Absorbs UV rays
B) Reflects light
C) Penetrates the dermis
D) Increases sebum production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Silicone in sunscreen reflects light, creating a protective barrier on the skin's
surface that helps shield against UV radiation.

QUESTION
A client with white pus, boils, and pores that do not open is presenting with which
condition?
A) Folliculitis
B) Rosacea
C) Psoriasis

,D) Eczema
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles characterized by white pus,
boils, and pores that do not open, often caused by bacterial or fungal infection.

QUESTION
A client with white peeling skin indicates which condition?
A) Hyperpigmentation
B) Vitiligo
C) Melasma
D) Chloasma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: White peeling skin is a sign of vitiligo, a condition characterized by the loss of
melanin-producing cells, resulting in depigmented patches.

QUESTION
What is a precaution during a facial treatment for a client with high blood pressure?
A) Use only cold compresses
B) Avoid steam and intense heat treatments
C) Perform extractions only
D) Use only oil-based products
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For clients with high blood pressure, steam and intense heat treatments should
be avoided as they can cause vasodilation and increase blood pressure.

QUESTION
When blood occurs during an acne treatment, what is the universal precaution?
A) Apply antiseptic
B) Apply moisturizer
C) Continue the treatment
D) Apply a cold compress
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When blood occurs during an acne treatment, the universal precaution is to
apply antiseptic to prevent infection and follow standard precautions.

QUESTION
Open comedones and papules are characteristic of which condition?
A) Rosacea
B) Acne
C) Eczema

,D) Psoriasis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open comedones (blackheads) and papules are classic signs of acne vulgaris,
a common inflammatory skin condition.

QUESTION
What are papules?
A) Pimples without pus
B) Pimples with pus
C) Cysts filled with sebum
D) Flat discolored spots
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Papules are small, raised, solid lesions on the skin that do not contain pus.
They are a type of inflammatory acne lesion.

QUESTION
What are pustules?
A) Pimples without pus
B) Pimples with pus
C) Flat discolored spots
D) Thickened patches of skin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pustules are pimples that contain pus, indicating an inflammatory response to
bacterial infection within the hair follicle.

QUESTION
Light, pearly nodules on the skin are called what?
A) Squamous cell carcinoma
B) Basal Cell Carcinoma
C) Malignant melanoma
D) Actinic keratosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Light, pearly nodules with tiny blood vessels are characteristic of Basal Cell
Carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer that is typically slow-growing.

QUESTION
Pus-forming bacteria that grow in chains and cause strep throat and blood poisoning are
known as what?
A) Staphylococci
B) Streptococci

, C) Diplococci
D) Bacilli
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Streptococci are pus-forming bacteria that grow in chains and are responsible
for conditions such as strep throat and blood poisoning.

QUESTION
Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like a bunch of grapes and cause abscesses,
pustules, and boils are known as what?
A) Streptococci
B) Diplococci
C) Staphylococci
D) Bacilli
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Staphylococci are pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters resembling a
bunch of grapes and cause abscesses, pustules, and boils.

QUESTION
What is a single boil called?
A) Carbuncle
B) Furuncle
C) Cyst
D) Comedo
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A furuncle is a single boil caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle,
resulting in a painful, pus-filled nodule.

QUESTION
What is a group of boils called?
A) Furuncle
B) Carbuncle
C) Cyst
D) Abscess
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a deeper, more extensive infection,
often associated with systemic symptoms.

QUESTION
What is the benefit of UV light in a salon setting?
A) Moisturize the skin