cosmetology state board exam
question and answers updated
version 2025
Canities - is the technical term for gray hair. Canities results from the loss of the
hair's natural melanin pigment. The two types of canities are congenital and
acquired. Congenital canities exists at or before birth. It occurs in albinos, who are
born without pigment in the skin, hair,
and eyes, and occasionally in individuals with normal hair. Acquired canities
develops with age and is the result of genetics.
Ringed Hair - is a variety of canities, characterized by
alternating bands of gray and pigmented hair throughout
the length of the hair strand.
Hypertrichosis - is a condition of abnormal
growth of hair. It characterized by the growth of terminal hair in areas of the body
that normally grow only vellus hair. Mustaches or light beards on women are
examples of hypertrichosis. Treatments include electrolysis, photoepilation, laser
hair removal, shaving, tweezing, electronic tweezers, depilatories, epilators,
threading, and sugaring
Trichoptilosis - is the technical term for split ends. The only way to remove split
ends is by chopping them.
Trichorrhexis nodosa - is the technical term for knotted hair. It is characterized by
brittleness and the formation of nodular swellings along the hair shaft. The hair
breaks easily, and the broken fibers spread out like a brush along the hair shaft.
Treatments include softening the hair with conditioners and moisturizers.
Monilethrix - is the technical term for beaded hair. The hair breaks
easily between the beads or nodes. Treatments include hair and scalp conditioning.
,Fragilitas Crinium - is the technical term for brittle hair. The hairs may split at any
part of their length. Treatments include hair and scalp conditioning and haircutting
above the split to prevent further damage.
Pityriasis - is the technical term for dandruff, which is characterized by the
excessive production and accumulation of skin
cells. Instead of the normal, one-at-a-time shedding of tiny individual skin cells,
dandruff is the shedding of an accumulation of large visible clumps of skin cells.
Malassezia - is a naturally occurring
fungus that is present on all human skin but causes the symptoms of
dandruff when it grows out of control. Some individuals are also more
susceptible to malassezia's irritating effects. Factors such as stress, age,
hormones, and poor hygiene can cause the fungus to multiply and
dandruff symptoms to worsen.
Pityriasis Capitis Simplex - is the technical term for classic dandruff that is
characterized by scalp
irritation, large flakes, and an itchy scalp. The scales may attach to the scalp in
masses, scatter loosely in the hair, or fall to the shoulders.
Pityriasis steatoides - is a more severe case of dandruff characterized by
an accumulation of greasy or waxy scales, mixed with
sebum, that stick to the scalp in crusts.
Tinea - is the technical term for ringworm. It is characterized
by itching, scales, and, sometimes, painful circular lesions. Several
patches may be present at one time. Tinea is caused by a fungal organism
and not a parasite
Tinea Favosa - is characterized by dry, sulfur-yellow, cup like crusts on the scalp
called scutula . Scutula has a distinctive odor. Scars from tinea favosa are bald
patches that may be pink or white and shiny.
Pediculosis capitis - is the infestation
of the hair and scalp with head lice
Furuncle - is the technical term for a boil, an acute,
localized bacterial infection of the hair follicle that produces constant
pain (Figure 11-20). It is limited to a specific area and produces a
,pustule perforated by a hair.
Carbuncle - is an inflammation of the
subcutaneous tissue caused by staphylococci. It is similar to a furuncle but is larger
Scabies - is a highly contagious skin disease caused by a parasite called a mite that
burrows under the skin. Vesicles (blisters) and
pustules (inflamed pimples with pus) usually form on the scalp from the irritation
caused by this parasite. Excessive itching scratches the infected areas and makes
the condition worse.
Layers of the Skin - Epidermis:
-stratum corneum
-stratum lucidum
-stratum granulosum
-stratum spinosum
-stratum germinativum
Dermis:
-papillary layer
-reticular layer
Epidermis - is the outermost and thinnest layer of
the skin. It contains no blood vessels, but has many small nerve endings.
The epidermis is made up of five layers
stratum corneum - also known as horny layer, is the outer layer of the epidermis.
The stratum corneum is the layer we see when we look at the skin and is the layer
cared for by salon products and services. Its scale-like cells
are continually being shed and replaced by cells coming to the surface from
underneath. These cells are made up of keratin, a fibrous protein that is also the
principal component of hair and nails. The cells combine with lipids (fats)
produced by the skin to help make the stratum corneum a protective, water-
resistant layer.
stratum lucidum - is the clear, transparent layer under the stratum corneum; it
consists of small cells through which light can pass.
stratum granulosum - also known as granular layer, is the layer of the
, epidermis that is composed of cells that look like granules and are filled with
keratin. The cells die as they are pushed to the surface to replace dead cells that are
shed from the stratum corneum.
stratum spinosum - is the spiny layer just above the stratum germinativum. The
spiny layer is where the process of skin cell shedding begins.
stratum germinativum - also known as basal cell layer, is the deepest layer of the
epidermis. This is the live layer of the epidermis that produces new epidermal skin
cells and is responsible for the growth of the epidermis. It is composed of several
layers of differently shaped cells. The stratum germinativum also contains special
cells called melanocytes, which produce the dark skin pigment called melanin.
Melanin protects the sensitive cells in the dermis (which is located below the
epidermis) from the destructive effects of excessive ultraviolet (UV) light from the
sun or from ultraviolet lamps.
Dermis - also known as derma, corium, cutis, or true skin, is the underlying or
inner layer of the skin. The dermis extends to form the subcutaneous tissue. The
highly sensitive dermis layer of connective tissue is about 25 times thicker than the
epidermis. Within its structure, there are
numerous blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, sudoriferous (sweat) glands,
sebaceous (oil) glands, and hair follicles, as well as arrector pili muscles. The
dermis is comprised of two layers.
Arrector pili muscles - are the small, involuntary muscles in the base of the hair
that cause goose flesh—or goose bumps, as many people call them—and papillae.
papillary layer - Outer layer of the dermis, directly beneath the epidermis. This
layer also contains melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells. The top of the
papillary layer where it joins the epidermis is called the epidermal-dermal junction
dermal papillae - which are small, cone shaped elevations at the base of the hair
follicles. Some papillae contain looped capillaries, and others contain small
epidermal structures called tactile corpuscles, with nerve endings that are sensitive
to touch and pressure.
reticular layer - is the deeper layer of the dermis that supplies the skin with all of
its oxygen and nutrients. It contains the following structures within its network:
• Fat cells
• Sudoriferous (sweat) glands
question and answers updated
version 2025
Canities - is the technical term for gray hair. Canities results from the loss of the
hair's natural melanin pigment. The two types of canities are congenital and
acquired. Congenital canities exists at or before birth. It occurs in albinos, who are
born without pigment in the skin, hair,
and eyes, and occasionally in individuals with normal hair. Acquired canities
develops with age and is the result of genetics.
Ringed Hair - is a variety of canities, characterized by
alternating bands of gray and pigmented hair throughout
the length of the hair strand.
Hypertrichosis - is a condition of abnormal
growth of hair. It characterized by the growth of terminal hair in areas of the body
that normally grow only vellus hair. Mustaches or light beards on women are
examples of hypertrichosis. Treatments include electrolysis, photoepilation, laser
hair removal, shaving, tweezing, electronic tweezers, depilatories, epilators,
threading, and sugaring
Trichoptilosis - is the technical term for split ends. The only way to remove split
ends is by chopping them.
Trichorrhexis nodosa - is the technical term for knotted hair. It is characterized by
brittleness and the formation of nodular swellings along the hair shaft. The hair
breaks easily, and the broken fibers spread out like a brush along the hair shaft.
Treatments include softening the hair with conditioners and moisturizers.
Monilethrix - is the technical term for beaded hair. The hair breaks
easily between the beads or nodes. Treatments include hair and scalp conditioning.
,Fragilitas Crinium - is the technical term for brittle hair. The hairs may split at any
part of their length. Treatments include hair and scalp conditioning and haircutting
above the split to prevent further damage.
Pityriasis - is the technical term for dandruff, which is characterized by the
excessive production and accumulation of skin
cells. Instead of the normal, one-at-a-time shedding of tiny individual skin cells,
dandruff is the shedding of an accumulation of large visible clumps of skin cells.
Malassezia - is a naturally occurring
fungus that is present on all human skin but causes the symptoms of
dandruff when it grows out of control. Some individuals are also more
susceptible to malassezia's irritating effects. Factors such as stress, age,
hormones, and poor hygiene can cause the fungus to multiply and
dandruff symptoms to worsen.
Pityriasis Capitis Simplex - is the technical term for classic dandruff that is
characterized by scalp
irritation, large flakes, and an itchy scalp. The scales may attach to the scalp in
masses, scatter loosely in the hair, or fall to the shoulders.
Pityriasis steatoides - is a more severe case of dandruff characterized by
an accumulation of greasy or waxy scales, mixed with
sebum, that stick to the scalp in crusts.
Tinea - is the technical term for ringworm. It is characterized
by itching, scales, and, sometimes, painful circular lesions. Several
patches may be present at one time. Tinea is caused by a fungal organism
and not a parasite
Tinea Favosa - is characterized by dry, sulfur-yellow, cup like crusts on the scalp
called scutula . Scutula has a distinctive odor. Scars from tinea favosa are bald
patches that may be pink or white and shiny.
Pediculosis capitis - is the infestation
of the hair and scalp with head lice
Furuncle - is the technical term for a boil, an acute,
localized bacterial infection of the hair follicle that produces constant
pain (Figure 11-20). It is limited to a specific area and produces a
,pustule perforated by a hair.
Carbuncle - is an inflammation of the
subcutaneous tissue caused by staphylococci. It is similar to a furuncle but is larger
Scabies - is a highly contagious skin disease caused by a parasite called a mite that
burrows under the skin. Vesicles (blisters) and
pustules (inflamed pimples with pus) usually form on the scalp from the irritation
caused by this parasite. Excessive itching scratches the infected areas and makes
the condition worse.
Layers of the Skin - Epidermis:
-stratum corneum
-stratum lucidum
-stratum granulosum
-stratum spinosum
-stratum germinativum
Dermis:
-papillary layer
-reticular layer
Epidermis - is the outermost and thinnest layer of
the skin. It contains no blood vessels, but has many small nerve endings.
The epidermis is made up of five layers
stratum corneum - also known as horny layer, is the outer layer of the epidermis.
The stratum corneum is the layer we see when we look at the skin and is the layer
cared for by salon products and services. Its scale-like cells
are continually being shed and replaced by cells coming to the surface from
underneath. These cells are made up of keratin, a fibrous protein that is also the
principal component of hair and nails. The cells combine with lipids (fats)
produced by the skin to help make the stratum corneum a protective, water-
resistant layer.
stratum lucidum - is the clear, transparent layer under the stratum corneum; it
consists of small cells through which light can pass.
stratum granulosum - also known as granular layer, is the layer of the
, epidermis that is composed of cells that look like granules and are filled with
keratin. The cells die as they are pushed to the surface to replace dead cells that are
shed from the stratum corneum.
stratum spinosum - is the spiny layer just above the stratum germinativum. The
spiny layer is where the process of skin cell shedding begins.
stratum germinativum - also known as basal cell layer, is the deepest layer of the
epidermis. This is the live layer of the epidermis that produces new epidermal skin
cells and is responsible for the growth of the epidermis. It is composed of several
layers of differently shaped cells. The stratum germinativum also contains special
cells called melanocytes, which produce the dark skin pigment called melanin.
Melanin protects the sensitive cells in the dermis (which is located below the
epidermis) from the destructive effects of excessive ultraviolet (UV) light from the
sun or from ultraviolet lamps.
Dermis - also known as derma, corium, cutis, or true skin, is the underlying or
inner layer of the skin. The dermis extends to form the subcutaneous tissue. The
highly sensitive dermis layer of connective tissue is about 25 times thicker than the
epidermis. Within its structure, there are
numerous blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, sudoriferous (sweat) glands,
sebaceous (oil) glands, and hair follicles, as well as arrector pili muscles. The
dermis is comprised of two layers.
Arrector pili muscles - are the small, involuntary muscles in the base of the hair
that cause goose flesh—or goose bumps, as many people call them—and papillae.
papillary layer - Outer layer of the dermis, directly beneath the epidermis. This
layer also contains melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells. The top of the
papillary layer where it joins the epidermis is called the epidermal-dermal junction
dermal papillae - which are small, cone shaped elevations at the base of the hair
follicles. Some papillae contain looped capillaries, and others contain small
epidermal structures called tactile corpuscles, with nerve endings that are sensitive
to touch and pressure.
reticular layer - is the deeper layer of the dermis that supplies the skin with all of
its oxygen and nutrients. It contains the following structures within its network:
• Fat cells
• Sudoriferous (sweat) glands
