Master Hair Care & Design

Year 1 Exam Study Guide — the foundational knowledge every apprentice needs before advancing.

Yr 1Yr 2Yr 3Yr 4Red Seal →
12Topic Sections
60Key Concepts
0Flashcard Terms
Year 1Apprentice Level

Year 1 Topics

Study each topic below — these are the core knowledge areas tested in Year 1. Build a solid foundation here before advancing to Year 2 material.

✂️Hair Structure & Trichology
  • Cuticle: outer protective scales
  • Cortex: 90% keratin, pigment
  • Medulla: central core
  • Hair cycle: anagen, catagen, telogen
  • Growth: ~1.25 cm/month average
✂️Scalp & Hair Analysis
  • Texture: fine, medium, coarse
  • Porosity: low, normal, high
  • Elasticity: healthy stretches 50%
  • Density: thin, medium, thick
  • Scalp conditions assessment
📖Shampoo & Conditioning
  • Shampoo pH 4.5–5.5 acidic
  • Clarifying shampoo higher pH
  • Conditioner smooths cuticle
  • Deep conditioner treatment
  • Protein vs moisture treatment
⚙️Cutting Techniques
  • Blunt cut: all same length
  • Graduated/bob: weight line
  • Layers: removes weight
  • Razoring: textured ends
  • Elevation angle determines graduation
🔧Haircutting Tools
  • Shears: cutting, thinning, blending
  • Clippers: tapers and fades
  • Razor: texturizing
  • Comb types: cutting, tail, rat-tail
  • Ergonomic body mechanics
📖Sanitation & Disinfection
  • Sterilize: all microorganisms
  • Disinfect: most pathogens (10 min)
  • Sanitize: soap and water
  • Provincial regulations govern
  • Barbicide immersion standard

Red Seal Topics

Study each topic below — these are the core knowledge areas tested in Year 1. Build a solid foundation here before advancing to Year 2 material.

✂️Hair Colouring — Level System
  • Natural hair: 1 (black) to 10 (blonde)
  • Contributing pigment appears during lift
  • 1-4: red, 5-6: orange, 7-8: yellow
  • Colour wheel tonal formulation
  • Neutralize unwanted warmth
📖Permanent Colour Chemistry
  • Developer: 10, 20, 30, 40 volume
  • Higher volume = more lift
  • Oxidative tint: alkaline base
  • Reacts with natural melanin
  • Patch test 48 hours mandatory
📖Lightening (Bleaching)
  • Removes melanin through oxidation
  • On-scalp: 20-30 vol developer
  • Off-scalp (foil): up to 40 vol
  • Toning corrects final result
  • Tonal result depends on pigment
Chemical Texture Services
  • Perm: thioglycolate reduces bonds
  • Neutralizer re-bonds in new shape
  • Relaxer: straightens hair
  • Patch test and strand test
  • Processing time critical
📖Skin & Scalp Disorders
  • Contraindications: broken skin
  • Tinea capitis: fungal infection
  • Alopecia areata: autoimmune
  • Androgenetic alopecia: hormonal
  • Pediculosis: lice — do not service
📖Business & Provincial Licensing
  • Red Seal: interprovincial practice
  • Provincial apprenticeship hours
  • Client card record keeping
  • HST/GST collection
  • WHMIS chemical safety

🃏 Review with Flashcards

Test your recall on the 0 key terms and definitions from this guide.

Keyboard: ← → to navigate · Space to flip · Esc to close

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

Take a full timed practice exam for Master Hair Care & Design and see exactly where you stand before the real thing.

Take the Practice Exam →
Click card to flip
Term
Definition
1 / 0