Esthetics · Glossary sample
The words of esthetics
A sample of the 100 terms in the kit's illustrated glossary.
21 core esthetics terms, each in one or two plain sentences: skin layers, hair growth, glands, hair removal, infection control and the agencies. Where a term has a look-alike, we link the two so you can learn them as a pair.
A
C
- Catagen
- The short transition phase of the hair cycle, between growth and rest. The follicle lets go of the hair.
- Often confused with telogen
D
- Depilation
- Removing hair at the surface of the skin, like shaving or using a depilatory cream.
- Often confused with epilation
- Disinfection
- A process that kills germs on tools and surfaces, but not bacterial spores. It goes further than cleaning, which only lowers the number of germs.
- Often confused with sterilization
E
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
- The federal agency that registers the disinfectants used in a treatment room.
- Often confused with OSHA and the FDA, which covers cosmetics and devices
M
- Melanocyte
- A cell that makes pigment. Melanocytes are found mainly in the stratum basale, the deepest layer of the epidermis.
O
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- The federal agency that protects workers, including the rules for chemical safety information.
- Often confused with EPA
P
- pH
- A scale that shows how acidic or alkaline a solution is. Below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is alkaline, also called basic.
S
- Sebum
- The skin's oil, made by the sebaceous glands.
- Often confused with sweat, from the sudoriferous glands
- Sterilization
- A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores.
- Often confused with disinfection
- Stratum basale (germinativum)
- The deepest layer of the epidermis, where melanocytes are found. It is also called the stratum germinativum or the basal layer.
- Often confused with stratum spinosum, the layer just above
- Stratum corneum
- The outermost layer of the epidermis. It is made of flattened, keratin-filled cells that your skin sheds.
- Often confused with stratum lucidum, the layer just below
- Stratum granulosum
- The middle layer of the epidermis, below the stratum lucidum and above the stratum spinosum. Its name means grainy.
- Often confused with stratum spinosum
- Stratum lucidum
- The clear layer, just under the stratum corneum. It is found only in thick skin, like the palms and the soles of the feet.
- Often confused with stratum corneum
- Stratum spinosum
- The layer of the epidermis just above the stratum basale. Its name means spiny.
- Often confused with stratum granulosum
- Sudoriferous gland
- A sweat gland in the skin. It makes sweat, not oil.
- Often confused with sebaceous gland