Waxing

Question 1

Working temperature of warm wax

Answer 1

43 degrees celcius

Question 2

Main ingredients - warm wax

Answer 2

Mixtures containing rosin (pine resin), glucose syrup, zinc oxide (cream wax) and colour / fragrance

Question 3

Application & removal - warm wax

Answer 3

Applied in a thin layer in the direction of hair growth using a spatula & removed against the hair growth using a paper / muslin strip.

Question 4

Advantages - warm wax

Answer 4

Versatile - all areas can be treated.
Quick
Cheap
Can be applied twice if no skin reaction

Question 5

Disadvantages - warm wax

Answer 5

Sticks to both skin & hair

Leaves a sticky residue

Question 6

Working temperature - hot wax

Answer 6

50 degrees celcius

Question 7

Main ingredients - hot wax

Answer 7

A blend of waxes & resins - up to 60% beeswax with soothing ingredients and plasticisers for flexibility,

Question 8

Application & removal - hot wax

Answer 8

A spatula is used to pick up a ‘ball’ of hot wax. The ball is applied to the area in a figure - 8 motion to form a strip shape. The wax cools around the hair, shrink-wrapping it. The edge of the strip is ‘flicked’ up & the strip is removed as one against the hair growth.

Question 9

Area suitability - hot wax

Answer 9

Areas of coarse hair growth & sensitive skin (under arm / bikini / facial areas)

Question 10

Advantages - hot wax

Answer 10

Effectively grips short, strong hairs
No sticky residue
Grips the hair but doesn’t stick to the skin.
New generation waxes are excellent for sensitive skin as they are flexible and have a much lower working temperature to traditional hot wax (usually 30-40 degrees celcius).

Question 11

Disadvantages - hot wax

Answer 11

Slow & time consuming to use
Can be messy until skill is developed.
Expensive to use as the used wax must be disposed of after one use.
Traditional hot waxes (50oC) cannot be re-applied due to the high working temperature.

Question 12

Hair structure - hair shaft

Answer 12

The portion of hair which extends beyond the skins surface.

Question 13

Hair structure - the root

Answer 13

The part of the hair that is in the follicle.

Question 14

Hair structure - the bulb

Answer 14

The enlarged base of the root – known as the bulb as the lower part of the follicle is wider than the upper part.

Question 15

Hair structure - the arrector pili muscle

Answer 15

A small muscle which attaches to the base of the hair follicle and the epidermis. On contraction, the hair stands on end creating a ‘goose bump’.

Question 16

Hair structure - the sebaceous gland

Answer 16

A gland which is attached to the upper thirds of the hair follicle and secretes sebum (the skin’s natural moisturiser) onto the skin.

Question 17

Hair structure - the dermal papilla

Answer 17

A connective tissue sheath which is surrounded by the hair bulb. It has a good blood supply and supplies the hair with nutrients from the blood.

Question 18

Hair structure - the matrix

Answer 18

Located within the lower part of the hair bulb. Contains actively dividing cells. New cells push older ones forwards resulting in hair growth.

Question 19

Mitosis

Answer 19

The method of cell division for all cells in the body other than sex cells (ova & sperm). One cell divides producing 2 identical copies.

Question 20

Keratin

Answer 20

The protein which makes up hair, nails and skin.

Question 21

Keratinisation

Answer 21

The process by which epithelial cells become filled with keratin granules, die and form tough, resistant structures such as hair / nail / skin.

Question 22

Hair growth cycle - anagen stage

Answer 22

The active growing phase. The hair is fully attached to the blood supply at the base of the follicle and cells in the matrix are actively dividing.

Question 23

Hair growth cycle - catagen stage

Answer 23

The changing or transitional stage where the follicle moves from growth to rest. The hair separated from the dermal papilla and moves up the follicle.

Question 24

Hair growth cycle - telogen stage

Answer 24

The resting stage. The shortened follicle rests until it is stimulated to grow again & the catagen hair falls away.